what happens to the money raised by a political candidate?

Question

such as a congressman, that is left over after the election.

Both if they are elected, and if they are not elected. If there is a surplus in the campaign fund, what is, or can be done with it.

I have not been able to find this online. Does anyone know?

Answer 1

They keep it if it was addressed to them or their re-election campaign. But it has to be used to establish a non-profit group or a charity. Clinton used his surplus to establish his foundation. Carter did the same. Nixon, Ford, Bush Sr and Reagan all had their foundation, trusts and libraries.

They key is of course to draw a salary off the foundation. No sense having all that money if you can't legitimately spend it.

You probably can't find it online because nobody wants it advertized.

Answer 2

Current Federal election law give the candidate a couple of options. They can use the remaining money for a future campaign. They can give some of the money to other candidates. They can give it to a PAC(Political Action Committee). They can donate it to a charity. It can also be used to pay for personal legal fees(if they get sued, or are accused of a crime.
What they can't do with it is: Keep it for personal use (besides legal fees). Give it to a '527' group. Give to a friend or relative.

Answer 3

Since 1993, federal campaign statutes permit all candidates for federal office to use their excess campaign funds only for a few specified purposes. They can:


• donate them to charitable organizations
• transfer them to a political party: local, state or national
• use them to pay off any remaining campaign bills
• use them to pay any "necessary and ordinary" expenses related to his/her duty as a federal office-holder, if still in some office
• save them for a future purpose, e.g. a future campaign

• BUT candidates may NOT use campaign funds for personal expenses.

The current distinction between permissible "necessary and ordinary" expenditures pursuant to holding a federal office, and those that are "personal," is judged by the Federal Election Commission. The FEC defines personal use as ". . . expenses that would exist regardless of an individual's campaign for federal office or duties as a federal officeholder."

For example, the FEC has approved costs for t-shirts and baseball caps imprinted with a campaign logo, but not clothing that could be used in "normal" life. Other prohibited expenditures include: household expenses, funeral costs, tuition payments, entertainment expenses, and private club dues.

Answer 4

you can't find it on line because it is the one and only issue the two major parties agree upon.....spending money that isn't theirs! Instead of another Presidential library (don't get me wrong I respect all of our Presidents) I just wish we could keep the histrionics under ONE roof and use the contribution surplus to help reform systems within the USA. Spend the money on the folks that gave it up!

Answer 5

the money continues to be in an account, and the guy can nevertheless use the money for "political applications" with that component era being loosely defined. they are able to additionally donate the money to a charitable businesses.

Answer 6

If they are all american like they say they are, it probably goes toward thier next campaign. If they are a human politician, it's theirs to keep. Probably it goes back into Government funding, or they use it to support their pet cause.

Answer 7

By law it must be used for political activities (donated to other candidates, or the party).

Answer 8

There are rules about returning it to your party...

But, most candidates just like to spend it on themselves and their mistresses. A good bribe or two, and that money is gone !!!

Answer 9

I think they should make a charitable contribution to me and my agenda. email me for details.

Answer 10

Pizza for everyone .... Comon Down...