Issue One is sad to note the passing of a member of our ReFormers Caucus, William H. Hudnut III. A former pastor, mayor of Indianapolis, member of Congress representing Indianapolis and president of the National League of Cities, Hudnut brought a wealth of practical political experience, wisdom and enthusiasm to our ReFormers Caucus (a group of more than 160 former members of Congress from both parties working with Issue One to reduce the influence of money in politics).
Hudnut had joined the Advisory Committee of one of Issue One’s predecessor organizations, Americans for Campaign Reform (ACR), early in its history. John Rauh, founder of ACR, remembers Hudnut as a “special guy” who would attend dinners of ACR’s board of directors and fire them up with exhortations and reminders of the importance of their mission. When ACR merged with Fund for the Republic to form Issue One in 2014, Mayor Hudnut became a founding member of Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus. He was highly engaged as well, helping to recruit new members to the caucus, offering legislative advice to staff, and attending caucus events when he could.
Meredith McGehee, Issue One’s Chief of Policy, Programs and Strategy, said, “Bill Hudnut was a model politician and public servant — engaging, entrepreneurial, energetic and, best of all, thoughtful. He knew the ups-and-downs of political life. His background as a clergyman gave him incredible perspective. Bill lived and served with good humor and with a strong commitment to his values. Let’s hope more of those who seek elective office will follow his example.”
We at Issue One are grateful for Mayor Hudnut’s service with us in this cause, and for his contributions to the public good and the spirit of bipartisan public service more broadly. Our thoughts are with his family and friends as we salute his memory.
