Anti-DEI Groups Ask SEC for Proxy Advisory Firm Restrictions

Anti-DEI organizations led by Edward Blum, who successfully challenged corporate board diversity rules, are looking to bar proxy firms from considering gender, race, or ethnicity of director nominees in voting advice to investors.

The Securities and Exchange Commission should adopt rules prohibiting any proxy advisory firm voting recommendation based on a board candidate’s diversity characteristics, the American Alliance for Equal Rights and Alliance for Fair Board Recruitment said Tuesday in a petition.

Blum was behind litigation last year that killed Nasdaq Inc. rules intended to put more women and minorities on corporate boards. He also helped bring ...