It’s not unusual for Republicans to advocate limiting or eliminating campaign contributions from public employees unions. But in an election cycle where both candidates are raking in large fundraising hauls and super PACs backed by unlimited contributions from wealthy donors are surging, Romney offered a more robust criticism of the campaign finance system.
Romney argued that teachers’ unions energetic giving to Democratic officials compromises them at the negotiating table.
“That person is supposed to be representing the public, vis-a-vis the teacher’s union but actually most of their money came from the teachers’ union,” Romney said. “This is an extraordinary conflict of interest. That’s something I think is a problem and should be addressed.”
Teachers unions, led by the National Federation of Teachers and National Education Association, have given about $11 million so far this election cycle to Democratic candidates, committees and outside groups, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
MORE: Mitt Romney: No campaign cash from teachers’ unions – Ginger Gibson – POLITICO.com.