Common Cause Chair Robert Reich Takes Leave of Absence

Former Labor Secretary to Resume Duties After November Election

Common Cause National Governing Board Chair Robert Reich is taking a leave of absence from his position in the organization until after the November election, he announced today.

Reich stepped aside in keeping with Common Cause’s policy of non-partisanship as he endorsed U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ campaign for president.

“Common Cause will forge onward. The organization is as strong as ever — and more needed than ever,” Reich said in a letter to his board colleagues.

“Bob Reich is a great leader, a great teacher, and a great asset to the work of Common Cause. He’s been part of our organization since its earliest days, when he volunteered as a Common Cause intern. The energy and insights he has brought to the chairmanship of our board have been invaluable and we look forward to having him rejoin us as chair after the election,” said Common Cause President Miles Rapoport. “On a personal note, I’m honored to count him as a friend.

“Bob’s decision to take leave as chairman of our National Governing Board is in keeping with the nonpartisan approach we bring to every issue. Our 400,000 activists include members of every party, as well as political independents. That diversity strengthens our organization. While we encourage members – and all Americans – to be politically engaged, they do so independent from the work of Common Cause.”

During his leave, Reich will remain a Common Cause board member but will not play an active role in the organization. Vice Chair Martha Tierney will take on the role of chair, effective immediately. Tierney is a founder and partner at Tierney Lawrence LLC in Denver, where her practice emphasizes election law and government relations.

A veteran litigator and an experienced authority on federal, state, and local election law, Tierney previously served as chair of Common Cause’s board from 2007-10. She has drafted and successfully advocated for some of the most important and sweeping election reform legislation in the nation.  She co-chairs the Colorado Lawyers Committee’s Election Task Force. 

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