The South Dakota legislature is eyeing a restriction on left-over campaign cash that is long overdue.
It’s no secret running for office is expensive. The first time I ran for office I didn’t have to ask what to do with leftover campaign donations because I didn’t have any. I spent more than people donated, meaning I paid for part of the campaign out of my pocket.
But that changed with my second campaign. I funded everything I needed to and had money left over. I didn’t know what regulations were in place, so I called the Secretary of State. What I was told surprised me. In essence, I was told South Dakota has no regulations. Candidates can do whatever they want with leftover campaign contributions.
This needs to change – and I hope it changes this year.
If a candidate plans to run again, it’s fully appropriate to hold leftover money for the next campaign. But if not, the candidate needs to give the money away to a charity or political group/candidate. It’s not appropriate to spent the money for personal expenses.
When the campaign is over, the money should be too.
Hank Roso
March 7, 2017 at 5:16 pm
What was once a loophole would now provide an opportunity for greater integrity and transparency in today’s political environment. Thank you for sharing.
Paul Tobin
March 10, 2017 at 9:36 am
My assumption has been that the campaign monies are a shared expense between the Party the candidate represents and the candidate him or herself.
“…If a candidate plans to run again, it’s fully appropriate to hold leftover money for the next campaign. But if not, the candidate needs to give the money away to a charity or political group/candidate…” If the candidate chooses not to run again, the money should revert back to a “general campaign fund” from which the next candidate can utilize to secure the seat for which he or she desires to fill through election. The people of that district made a ‘good faith’ donation to secure representation for them in the Legislature. Their money should work to that end.
PT
Fred Deutsch
March 24, 2017 at 2:16 pm
Paul, any money that’s left over can be used to any expenditure. Since I wrote this article the legislature put restrictions on left-over money. It can no lnger be used for personal expenses.
Paul Tobin
April 29, 2017 at 8:21 am
As it should be. THank you.