Bradley A. Smith
Role at the time: Institute for Free Speech founder and former FEC chair
Defended or excused
Statement summary
Smith writes that the ruling has let new, often important voices be heard and that its critics' predictions were wrong.
“The decision has allowed new, often important voices to be heard”
Open source (opens in a new tab)Bradley A. Smith defends Citizens UnitedConcluding paragraphs; original essay dated January 22, 2025
The Institute for Free Speech republishes Smith's essay and identifies January 22, 2025 as its original Washington Examiner publication date. His claims about electoral effects are analysis.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
The reference point is constitutional protection for independent corporate and union election spending. Smith defends the ruling as allowing new political voices to reach voters.