North Dakota activists dub themselves ‘Badass Grandmas’ taking on government corruption

A group of North Dakotan activists who have dubbed themselves “the Badass Grandmas” are pushing for a ballot measure this November they argue will help fight against government corruption.

The activists, who are also referred to as “the Badass Grannies,” are advocating for a ballot initiative, called Measure 1, that would create an independent ethics commission, ban foreign money from state elections, and crack down on lobbying gifts, according to Politico.

“We are highly experienced former senior state officials and politically diverse professionals, including in-state and national attorneys,” the group describes itself on Crowdpac.

{mosads}”We’re fighting for a better future for our state, working to pass an Anti-Corruption Amendment to North Dakota’s state constitution in November,” the group wrote.

“We know that most North Dakotans (and most Americans) believe citizens have a right to know who is spending money to influence our elections and our government.”

RepresentUs will spend $200,000 pushing for Measure 1 in North Dakota, political director Dan Krassner told Politico.

“Voters are taking matters into their own hands,” Krassner told the outlet. “The hope from political reformers and the people is this will be a record year for political reform victories that will serve as a mandate for Congress.”

Their opposition, a business alliance called North Dakotans for Sound Government, is throwing somewhere between $250,000 to $500,000 at taking down the measure.

“These are companies that have invested millions, billions in North Dakota; they pay thousands and millions of dollars in taxes,” the group’s chairman Geoff Simon, told Politico. “All our donors are expecting back is good government. We’ve got it now, and we’re trying to keep it.”