Fighting for Equal Representation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, The Collective PAC, the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political engagement, representation, and power across all levels of government — endorsed Aaron Ford, Keith Ellison, Letitia James, Anthony Brown, and Lee Merritt for attorney general of their respective states as part of The Collective’s Justice For All Initiative.
Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:
“The Collective PAC proudly endorses the following slate of candidates for Attorneys General: Attorney General Aaron Ford for re-election in Nevada, Attorney General Keith Ellison for re-election in Minnesota, Attorney General Letitia James for re-election in New York, Representative Anthony Brown in Maryland, and Mr. Lee Merritt in Texas. Each candidate has created a legacy of innovative and transformative leadership that enables their respective communities to thrive for progressive change. It’s the conviction that each candidate encompasses for justice that pushes them to fight social and economic injustices in their communities that made The Collective PAC proudly partner with them.
All five of these candidates are ready to build upon their impressive records as community and judicial leaders focused on seeking justice for all. The success of these candidates is the product of what happens when there is an investment, commitment, and support for Black candidates who are working to serve as changemakers to reform our criminal justice system. We are confident that these candidates will continue to represent the principles that are important to our Justice For All Initiative: equity, fairness, and justice.”
Attorney General Aaron Ford (Attorney General, NV) graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received his law degree and Ph.D. in Educational Administration from The Ohio State University. Attorney General Ford is a dedicated attorney and public servant, formerly representing District 11 in the Nevada State Senate and is a former Nevada State Senate Majority Leader. During his tenure as Majority Leader, he was able to increase transparency among pharmaceutical companies, open mental health and substance abuse programs, and encourage criminal justice reform through educational programs. Attorney General Ford’s dedication to addressing the opioid crisis in Nevada led to the state’s first settlement of $45 million given to families of the community affected by this tragedy.
Attorney General Keith Ellison (Attorney General, MN) is a strong advocate for worker, consumer, and civil rights protections. Before becoming Attorney General, Mr. Ellison passed laws to fight credit abuse and to stand up for the rights of renters in Congress. He also founded the Congressional Antitrust Caucus and the Congressional Consumer Justice Caucus. Before entering politics, Attorney General Ellison spent 16 years specializing in civil rights and defense law. He knows how important it is to be the people’s lawyer and fight for the communities of Minnesota; after the murder of George Floyd, the community was thankful for his leadership and guidance through the trials of the police officers who murdered Mr. Floyd. Attorney General Ellison is truly the people’s lawyer for the State of Minnesota and will continue to work toward affordable and accessible healthcare, protecting worker rights, and ensuring a fair economy for all.
Attorney General Letitia James (Attorney General, NY) was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and has spent her career working as a dedicated public servant. From working as a public defender for the Legal Aid Society to serving as head of the Brooklyn Regional Office of the New York State Attorney General’s Office, to leading as the Public Advocate for New York City. Attorney General James actively pursues justice on behalf of the underprivileged and unheard; her tenacity to investigate wrongdoings by powerful interests like the Trump Organization, the National Rifle Association (NRA), and the pharmaceutical industry adds to her impressive track record. She aims to continue to serve, protect, and advance the rights of all New Yorkers through fearlessly addressing systemic injustices.
Representative Anthony Brown (Attorney General, MD) currently serves Maryland’s 4th congressional district in the House of Representatives. Rep. Brown is a retired Colonel from the United States Army Reserve and the former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. He attended Harvard University and Harvard Law School, where he received his Bachelor’s and Juris Doctorate Degree. Rep. Brown actively sponsors and implements legislation for the betterment of Maryland and is a champion of progress. Rep. Brown sponsored the National Defense Authorization Act, advocates for diversity and equity in the military, and a plan for equity in defense research at HBCUs. In his dedicated time of public service, Rep. Brown fearlessly advocates for increased safety measures, transparency within the government, accountability, and reform for criminal and military justice.
Lee Merritt (Attorney General, TX) is a Cum Laude graduate of Morehouse College and received his law degree from Temple University’s James Beasley School of Law. Mr. Merritt is an American Constitutional Attorney who actively advocates on behalf of the communities and families in Texas fighting for justice, civil liberties, and government transparency. Mr. Merritt specializes in social justice, and was the former co-counsel for George Floyd’s family. He plans to use integrity and innovation to address the mental health crisis, stimulate social and economic growth, protect public education, address Texas’ power grid, and end mass incarceration.
ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE PAC
The Collective PAC is working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state, and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward.
Over the past five years, The Collective PAC has endorsed and helped 300 Black candidates across the United States win their elections.
JUSTICE FOR ALL INITIATIVE
The Collective PAC, in partnership with its affiliated organization Collective Future, launched “The Collective’s Justice For All Initiative” — a program focused on recruiting and supporting Black candidates committed to unapologetically pursuing justice and progressive criminal justice reform.