Issue One updates

Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus expands to all 50 states


  • Elise Wirkus

The bipartisan ReFormers Caucus is proud to announce that it now includes members from all 50 states! Since its inception just three years ago, this group — former members of Congress, Cabinet officials and governors from both parties — has recruited 196 champions of reform who bring centuries of combined political experience to fix dysfunction in Washington. The ReFormers’ nationwide presence is also a resounding confirmation that Americans from every state stand united behind efforts to return government to the American people.     

As the 195th and 196th members, Issue One is pleased to announce that Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA) and Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) are the newest members of the ReFormers Caucus. Congressman Nye served as the representative for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District from 2009 to 2011. Prior to his election, he was a member of the Foreign Service and won the State Department’s Superior Honor Award for his part in securing the release of 26 U.S. Servicemen during the 2001 Macedonia conflict.

Senator Begich served as the mayor of Anchorage from 2003 to 2009 before his election to the U.S. Senate in 2008. As a U.S. senator, he fought for greater transparency by co-sponsoring the DISCLOSE Act of 2012, or the Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act. An Alaskan native and longtime public servant, he has been an unwavering advocate for government transparency at the state and federal level throughout his career.

Issue One is thrilled to have the knowledge and expertise of these two dedicated public servants as they join the largest bipartisan coalition of former elected officials focused on safeguarding America’s democratic institutions and fixing Washington dysfunction.