Where and who does the money come from?
  • Individuals - Anyone can contribute up to $2,300 of their personal money to a candidate they want to support.
  • Political Action Committees - Membership Organizations, Unions, and Corporations can back a chosen political party by giving money to the candidates.
  • Candidate's Personal Funds - Candidates can contribute as much of their personal money as desired. 
  • Federal Tax Donations - Individuals can choose to donate $3 of their federal income tax refund to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, which matches the first $250 of an individual contribution that a candidate receives. 

What is the money used for?

Candidates spend the money raised on many things - their goal is to reach as many people as possible.

Here is how they use it:

  • Salaries & Benefits for the people working for them
  • Administrative - the people in charge of everything
  • Postage and shipping to distribute campaign materials
  • Supplies, Equipment, and Furniture
  • Rent and Utilities
  • Campaign events like speeches and conferences
  • Consultants - Administrative, Media, Political, and Fundraising for suggestions about the campaign
  • Research including polling and conducting surveys
  • Travel expenses
  • Food and Meetings
  • Internet Media like videos and advertising
  • They support candidates running in other elections for example Congress
  • Charitable Donations

 

 

The 2004 Campaign

After all is said and done, this is what the top 2004 candidates spent along their Presidential Campaign trail:

(in millions of dollars)

 

2004 Expenses
 Bush Kerry
Travel & Events $9.7* $31.6
Media $132.1 $94
Payroll & Consultants $10.3 $11.9
Fundraising & Mail $44.5 $14.6
Overhead (Rent,
Utilities,
Insurance,
Equipment)		 $32.8 $23

*Bush did a lot of his campaigning while still President making business trips around the country for his job. 

Read the full article at npr.org

 

"There is a growing sense that there is going to be a $100 million entry fee at the end of 2007 to be considered a serious candidate" said Michael Toner,  the chairman of  the Federal Election Commission.