2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Federal Election Commission (FEC) Summarizes 18-Month Campaign Activity of the 2012 Election Cycle

FEC Summarizes 18-Month Campaign Activity of the 2012 Election Cycle

WASHINGTON – Presidential and congressional candidates running in the current election cycle, political parties and political action committees (PACs) received more than $4 billion and disbursed nearly $2.9 billion, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission that cover activity from January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. Filings submitted to the Commission in this 18-month period indicated that disbursements for independent expenditures and electioneering communications totaled $170.4 million.

Activity from Jan. 1, 2011 through Jun. 30, 2012 (figures in millions)
Filers	Receipts	Disbursements
2012 Presidential Candidates	$601.9	$407.9
2012 Congressional Candidates	$1,210.4	$786.8
Party Committees	$960.1	$626.3
PACs	$1,290.3	$1,060.5
Total	$4,062.7	$2,881.5
Communications Filings	Total
Independent Expenditures	$161.1
Electioneering Communications	$9.3
Total	$170.4

This release summarizes campaign activity through the first 18 months of the 2011-2012 election cycle. Supporting data tables are linked at the end of each summary section below. Future cumulative data summary press releases will be published after each quarterly filing deadline in 2012.

I. Presidential Candidates

Presidential candidates reported raising $601.9 million and spending $407.9 million from January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

The total amount of debt owed by 2012 presidential candidate committees was $15.1 million as of June 30, 2012. These candidates’ combined cash-on-hand was $132.9 million.

The following table summarizes campaign finance activity of presidential candidates through the second quarter of election years since 2000.

18-Month Financial Activity of Presidential Candidates* (figures in millions)
Year	Candidates	Receipts		Disbursements		Debts Owed		Cash on Hand
2012	13	$601.9		$407.9		$15.1		$132.9
2008	20	$1,057.8		$1,000.8		$79.9		$128.3
2004	12	$575.9		$468.2		$10.6		$104.6
2000	17	$332.5		$311.9		$5.7		$19.4

*Includes activity from January 1 of the pre-presidential election year through June 30 of the presidential election year. Only presidential candidates who have raised or spent more than $100,000 are included in this table. Contribution limits are indexed for inflation every cycle.

The receipt totals above include matching funds received for primary election contributions. To become eligible for matching funds, a candidate must raise a threshold amount of $100,000 by collecting $5,000 in each of 20 states in amounts no greater than $250 from any individual. Other requirements include agreeing to an overall spending limit, abiding by spending limits in each state, using public funds only for qualified campaign-related expenses, keeping financial records and permitting an extensive campaign audit.

This cycle, the maximum amount a primary election candidate could receive is $22,810,350. As of June 30, 2012, the Commission certified payments for primary matching funds to two presidential campaigns, $351,961.10 to one and $230,058.91 to another, for a total of $582,020.01.

The presidential nominee of each major party may become eligible to receive a public grant of $91,241,400 for the general election campaign. As of the close of this 18-month period, no candidates had received general election grant money. Additional information about the public financing of presidential elections can be found here.

Data summary tables for reports submitted to the Commission through June 30, 2012 by 2012 presidential candidate committees can be found here. Historical campaign finance activity for presidential candidates can be found here.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) Summarizes 15-Month Campaign Activity of the 2012 Election Cycle

FEC Summarizes 15-Month Campaign Activity of the 2012 Election Cycle

WASHINGTON – Presidential and congressional candidates running in the current election cycle, political parties and political action committees (PACs) collected more than $2.9 billion and disbursed more than $2 billion, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission that cover activity from January 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012. Independent expenditure and electioneering communication filings submitted to the Commission in this 15-month period totaled $101.5 million.

Activity from Jan. 1, 2011 through Mar. 31, 2012 (figures in millions)
Filers	Receipts	Disbursements
2012 Presidential Candidates	$418.9	$312.6
2012 Congressional Candidates	$884.6	$453.5
Party Committees	$658.9	$495.4
PACs	$986.4	$785.7
Total	$2,948.8	$2,047.2
Communications Filings	Total
Independent Expenditures	$97.2
Electioneering Communications	$4.3
Total	$101.5

This release summarizes campaign activity through the first 15 months of the 2011-2012 election cycle. Supporting data tables are linked at the end of each summary section below. Future cumulative data summary press releases will be published after each quarterly filing deadline in 2012.

I. Presidential Candidates

Presidential candidates reported raising $418.9 million and spending $312.6 million from January 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012.

The total amount of debt owed by 2012 presidential candidate committees was $13.8 million as of March 31, 2012. These candidates’ combined cash-on-hand was $120.3 million.

The following table summarizes campaign finance activity of presidential candidates through the first quarter of election years since 2000.

15-Month Financial Activity of Presidential Candidates* (figures in millions)
Year	Candidates	Receipts	Disbursements	Debts Owed	Cash on Hand
2012	13	$418.9	$312.6	$13.8	$120.3
2008	20	$848.7	$798.2	$71.1	$104.5
2004	12	$429.8	$307.9	$12.8	$124.8
2000	17	$295.0	$280.6	$26.6	$13.8

*Includes activity from January 1 of the pre-presidential election year through March 31 of the presidential election year. Only presidential candidates who have raised or spent more than $100,000 are included in this table. Contribution limits are indexed for inflation every cycle.

The receipt totals above include matching funds received for primary election contributions. To become eligible for matching funds, candidates must raise a threshold amount of $100,000 by collecting $5,000 in each of 20 states in amounts no greater than $250 from any individual. Other requirements to be declared eligible by the Commission for matching funds include agreeing to an overall spending limit, abiding by spending limits in each state, using public funds only for legitimate campaign-related expenses, keeping financial records and permitting an extensive campaign audit.

This cycle, the maximum amount aprimary election candidate could receive is $22,810,350. The presidential nominee of each major party may become eligible to receive a public grant of $91,241,400 for the general election campaign. Additional information about the public financing of presidential elections can be found here.

Data summary tables for reports submitted to the Commission through March 31, 2012 by 2012 presidential candidate committees can be found here. Historical campaign finance activity for presidential candidates can be found here.

II. Congressional Candidates

The 1,614 candidates running in the 2012 election cycle for the United States House of Representatives and Senate reported raising a total of $884.6 million and spending $453.5 million between January 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012. House and Senate candidates reported combined total debts of $97.7 million and a combined cash-on-hand of $610.6 million as of March 31, 2012.

The following table summarizes election-year campaign finance activity of House and Senate candidates since 2002.

15-Month Financial Activity of Congressional Candidates* (figures in millions)
Year	Candidates	Receipts	Disbursements	Debts Owed	Cash on Hand
2012	1,614	$884.6	$453.5	$97.7	$610.6
2010	1,775	$857.5	$454.3	$99.8	$626.3
2008	1,280	$685.9	$367.6	$60.6	$497.7
2006	1,146	$641.2	$321.5	$61.0	$515.9
2004	1,124	$572.1	$319.7	$71.7	$423.8
2002	1,087	$425.3	$226.3	$64.1	$322.1

*Includes activity from January 1 of the pre-election year through March 31 of the election year. Contribution limits are indexed for inflation every cycle.

The 222 candidates running in the 33 2012 Senate races reported total receipts of $318.3 million, disbursements of $135.3 million, debts of $37.3 million and cash-on-hand totaling $224.9 million.

Campaign committees of the 1,392 House candidates reported total receipts of $566.4 million, disbursements of $318.3 million, debts of $60.4 million and a combined cash-on-hand of $385.7 million. Data summary tables for reports submitted to the Commission through March 31, 2012 by 2012 congressional candidate committees can be found here.

III. Political Party Committees

National, state and local political party committees reported $658.9 million in federal funds receipts, $495.4 million in disbursements, debts of $19.2 million, and a combined cash-on-hand of $174.4 million for the cycle as of March 31, 2012. Of those totals, other party committees* reported receipts of $2.9 million, disbursements of $2.7 million, debts of approximately $342,000, and a combined cash-on-hand of approximately $439,000 during the same 15-month period.

The following table summarizes campaign finance activity of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), Republican National Committee (RNC), National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee (NRSC) and National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), as well as each party’s state and local committees and other party committees.

Political Party Activity from Jan. 1, 2011 through Mar. 31, 2012 (figures in millions)
Party Committees	Receipts		Disbursements		Debts Owed		Cashon Hand
DNC	$154.8		$136.5		$4.5		$24.4
DSCC	$59.7		$36.7		$0.0		$23.7
DCCC	$83.6		$61.6		$0.0		$22.8
State and Local Democratic Party Committees (federal funds)	$73.4		$60.2		$1.8		$10.2
Total**	$351.2		$274.8		$6.4		$81.2
RNC	$123.7		$91.7		$9.9		$32.7
NRSC	$56.3		$36.8		$0.0		$19.6
NRCC	$73.8		$49.1		$0.0		$27.1
State and Local Republican Party Committees (federal funds)	$51.2		$40.5		$2.5		$13.2
Total**	$304.8		$217.9		$12.4		$92.7
Total Other Party*	$2.9		$2.7		$0.3		$0.4
Total Party Contributions**	$658.9		$495.4		$19.2		$174.4

*Other party committees include the Libertarian National Committee, Libertarian National Congressional Committee, Green Party of the United States, Green Senatorial Campaign Committee, Constitution Party National Committee, and the Reform Party of the United States of America.

**The totals for receipts and disbursements have been adjusted to account for transfers between party committees.

Individuals, for whom contributions to national parties are limited to $30,800 this election cycle, are the largest source of federal funds for party committees. Democratic party committees reported receiving $215.7 million from individuals, while Republican party committees received $236.1 million from individuals. PACs and other political committees contributed $27 million to Democratic party committees and $40.3 million to Republican party committees as of March 31, 2012.

Democratic and Republican House campaign committees transferred more than $9.3 million and more than $9.5 million, respectively, from their campaign accounts to their national congressional party committees. Democratic and Republican U.S. Senate campaign committees transferred $4 million and approximately $45,800, respectively, from their campaign accounts to their national senatorial party committees.

Data summary tables for reports submitted to the Commission through March 31, 2012 by political party committees can be found here.

IV. Political Action Committees (PACs)

Based on reports filed with the Commission through March 31, 2012, 5,667 federal PACs reported total receipts of $986.4 million, disbursements of $785.7 million, debts of $9.6 million, and a combined cash-on-hand of $436.8 million.

The following table summarizes campaign finance activity of PACs based on PAC type from January 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012. This table includes both nonconnected committees and separate segregated funds (SSFs), which have connected organizations such as corporations or labor organizations that establish, administer or raise money on their behalf.

PAC Activity from Jan. 1, 2011 through Mar. 31, 2012 (figures in millions)
PAC Type	PACs	Receipts		Disbursements		Debts Owed		Cash on Hand
Corporate	1,786	$216.8		$191.8		$0.2	$156.0
Labor	297	$168.4		$120.9		$0.6	$43.0
Nonconnected*	2,442	$421.4		$331.5		$8.2	$138.9
Trade	713	$87.8		$72.7		$0.0	$59.1
Membership	276	$75.8		$55.1		$0.1	$29.3
Cooperative	43	$6.0		$4.6		$0.0	$4.1
Corporations without Stock	110	10.3		$9.1		$0.4	$6.5
Total**	5,667	$986.4		$785.7		$9.6	$436.8

* Nonconnected committees include Leadership PACs, Independent Expenditure-Only Committees and Committees with Non-Contribution Accounts. Independent Expenditure-Only Committees are committees that may receive unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, and labor unions for the purpose of financing independent expenditures and other independent political activity. Committees with Non-Contribution Accounts solicit and accept unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, labor organizations, and other political committees to a segregated bank account for the purpose of financing independent expenditures, other ads that refer to a federal candidate, and generic voter drives in federal elections, while maintaining a separate bank account, subject to all of the statutory amount limitations and source prohibitions, that is permitted to make contributions to federal candidates.

**The totals in this line may not equal the sum of the numbers in the corresponding columns as these numbers have been rounded. Instead, the bottom-line totals correspond to PAC Table 1.

Contributions by PACs to federal candidates seeking office in 2011 and 2012 totaled $222.2 million as of March 31, 2012. PAC contributions to Senate, House and presidential candidates totaled $42.9 million, $178.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Independent Expenditure-Only Committees are prohibited from making contributions to candidates.

Data summary tables for reports submitted to the Commission through March 31, 2012 by PACs can be found here.

V. Independent Expenditures

From January 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012, all independent expenditure filings* reported to the Commission totaled $97.2 million. Independent Expenditure-Only Committees accounted for $78.4 million of all independent expenditure filings received by the Commission, while Committees with Non-Contribution Accounts accounted for $7.6 million. Independent expenditures made by other PACs, persons other than political committees and party committees totaled $3.9 million, $3.8 million and $3.5 million, respectively.

Independent expenditures reported to the Commission in connection with the 2012 presidential election totaled approximately $83.7 million as of March 31, 2012, with approximately $71.2 million reported by Independent Expenditure-Only Committees, $7.6 million reported by Committees with Non-Contribution Accounts and $1.8 million reported by other PACs. Persons other than political committees and party committees reported making $3.1 million and approximately $30,000, respectively, in independent expenditures in connection with the presidential election. Independent expenditures advocating the election of presidential candidates totaled $35 million, while $48.7 million was reported to advocate the defeat of presidential candidates.

Independent expenditures reported in connection with congressional races totaled $13.6 million. Independent Expenditure-Only Committees and party committees, representing the two largest sources of these expenditures, reported $7.3 million and $3.4 million, respectively. Independent expenditures made by PACs other than Independent Expenditure-Only Committees and Committees with Non-Contribution Accounts totaled approximately $2.1 million. Persons other than political committees reported making approximately $677,000 in independent expenditures in connection with congressional elections, while Committees with Non-Contribution Accounts reported about $69,000.

Independent Expenditure-Only Committees reported total receipts of $193.7 million, disbursements of $118 million, $3.7 million in debt, and a combined cash-on-hand of $79.4 million. Committees with Non-Contribution Accounts reported raising $55.8 million, spending $53 million, debts of approximately $176,000, and a combined cash-on-hand of $7.2 million through March 31, 2012. This data is summarized in detail in the PAC data summary table found here.

Data summary tables for independent expenditure filings submitted to the Commission through March 31, 2012 can be found here.

*Independent expenditures are subject to disclosure requirements once they reach or exceed $10,000 with respect to a given election at any time up to and including the 20th day before an election, and once they reach or exceed $1,000 with respect to a given election, and are made fewer than 20 days, but more than 24 hours, before an election. The totals listed include only the amounts that were reported to the Commission.

VI. Electioneering Communications

Electioneering communication filings totaling $4.3 million* were reported to the Commission as of March 31, 2012. An electioneering communication is a broadcast, cable or satellite communication that refers to a clearly identified federal candidate and is distributed 30 days prior to a primary election or 60 days prior to a general election. These communications do not expressly advocate the election or defeat of a federal candidate.

*These totals do not include electioneering communications that were amended or newly filed in 2011 and 2012 and that disclosed disbursements from different years.

The data summary table for electioneering communication filings submitted to the Commission through March 31, 2012 can be found here.

Federal Election Commission Certifies Federal Matching Funds for Buddy Roemer

Federal Election Commission Certifies Federal Matching Funds for Roemer

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission has certified $185,470.11 in federal matching funds to presidential candidate Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer III for the 2012 primary election. The certified amount was in response to the first regular submission for matching funds made by the Roemer campaign. The U.S. Treasury Department transferred the amount certified on March 26.

In February, based on Roemer’s initial threshold submission, the Commission requested that the United States Treasury make an initial payment of $100,000 to Roemer’s campaign. On March 22, the Commission voted to certify a second payment, and it transmitted that request to the Treasury on March 23. This raises the total amount of federal funds certified thus far to Roemer, the first 2012 presidential candidate to be declared eligible by the Commission to receive federal matching funds, to $285,470.11. Roemer is seeking the nomination of Americans Elect and the Reform Party for president in 2012.

To become eligible for matching funds, candidates must raise a threshold amount of $100,000 by collecting $5,000 in 20 different states in amounts no greater than $250 from any individual. Other requirements to be declared eligible include agreeing to an overall spending limit, abiding by spending limits in each state, using public funds only for legitimate campaign-related expenses, keeping financial records and permitting an extensive campaign audit.

The presidential public funding program is financed through the $3 check-off that appears on individual income tax returns. The program has three elements: grants to parties to help fund their nominating conventions, grants available to nominees to pay for the general election campaign, and matching payments to participating candidates during the primary campaign.

In July and September of 2011, the Commission certified $17,689,800 each to the Republican and Democratic parties for their 2012 conventions. This cycle, the maximum amount a primary candidate could receive is currently estimated to be about $22.8 million. The Commission estimates that each 2012 general election nominee will be eligible for a grant of approximately $91.2 million.

The Federal Election Commission Introduces New Campaign Finance Disclosure Website Portal

FEC INTRODUCES NEW CAMPAIGN FINANCE DISCLOSURE WEBSITE PORTAL

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission today introduced a new campaign finance disclosure portal to simplify access to the wide range of disclosure data available on the agency’s website.

The disclosure portal provides a single point of entry to federal campaign finance data. It features easily navigable maps, as well as a variety of search tools that will help users make the best use of the Commission’s data sources. Users can download many of the data sets available through the Disclosure Portal to perform their own analyses.

“The new portal will help the Commission fulfill its mission of disclosure more efficiently and in a more user-friendly fashion,” said Chair Caroline C. Hunter. “I would like to thank the members of the Office of Chief Information Officer, as well as the staff of other divisions involved in disclosure, who worked hard to develop the disclosure portal in a way that most closely fits the needs of all those who depend on the Commission’s website for timely and accurate information.”

The portal, which can be accessed here, features new map-based presentations on independent expenditures and graphic presentations on national parties and political action committees (PACs). It also offers quick access to data on the most frequently-requested categories of committees that file reports with the Commission. The disclosure portal will be updated with new enhancements throughout the election cycle.

Carlos Sierra, National Campaign Manager for Gov. Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer, Statement on Qualifying for FEC Matching Funds

FEC Declares Buddy Roemer Eligible for Matching Funds

Baton Rouge, LA – Carlos Sierra, national campaign manager for Republican presidential candidate Governor Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer, released the following statement on qualifying for FEC matching funds:

“Yesterday’s announcement of certification of eligibility for matching funds was a proud day for our campaign, because we earned a small recognition of our hard work and transparency. Qualifying for matching funds isn’t easy. It requires that you take in at least $5000 in each of 20 states, in increments of $250 or less and in our case $100 or less, and that you agree to spending limits and strict auditing. Our donations came from all 50 states and territories ranging from one to one-hundred dollars, and we disclosed every penny even though were weren’t required to do so.”

“If more candidates went the matching funds route, that would mean fewer Wall Street and K Street fundraisers, and less favors candidates would have to promise to their big donors. Matching funds level the playing field and help take the corruptive influence of money out of the equation. We challenge the rest of the field to lead by example and denounce their Super PACs and special interest money.”

Buddy Roemer First Presidential Candidate Declared Eligible for Primary Matching Funds in 2012 Race by the Federal Election Commission

Roemer First Presidential Candidate Declared Eligible for Primary Matching Funds in 2012 Race

WASHINGTON – Charles E. “Buddy” Roemer III on Thursday became the first 2012 presidential candidate to be declared eligible by the Federal Election Commission to receive federal matching funds. Roemer is seeking the Republican nomination for president in 2012.

 To become eligible for matching funds, candidates must raise a threshold amount of $100,000 by collecting $5,000 in 20 different states in amounts no greater than $250 from any individual. Other requirements to be declared eligible include agreeing to an overall spending limit, abiding by spending limits in each state, using public funds only for legitimate campaign-related expenses, keeping financial records and permitting an extensive campaign audit.

Based on documents filed by Buddy Roemer for President, Inc. on January 25, 2012, contributions from the following states were verified for threshold purposes: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington. All of the materials included with this submission may be viewed here. Based on Roemer’s initial threshold submission, the Commission will request that the United States Treasury make an initial payment of $100,000 to Roemer’s campaign.

Once declared eligible, campaigns may submit additional contributions for matching funds on the first business day of every month.The U.S. Treasury Department may pay the Commission-certified amounts beginning this month.The maximum amount a primary candidate could receive is currently estimated to be about $22.8 million. 

The presidential public funding program is financed through the $3 check-off that appears on individual income tax returns. The program has three elements: grants to parties to help fund their nominating conventions, grants available to nominees to pay for the general election campaign, and matching payments to participating candidates during the primary campaign.

In July and September of 2011, the Commission certified $17,689,800 each to the Republican and Democratic parties for their conventions.The Commission estimates that each general election nominee will be eligible for a grant of approximately $91.2 million.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign finance laws. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, the Presidency and the Vice Presidency. Established in 1975, the FEC is composed of six Commissioners who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Political Party Committees Raise Over $242 Million From January 1 Through June 30, 2011

POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES RAISE OVER $242 MILLION FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2011

WASHINGTON – During the first six months of 2011, party committees that filed disclosure reports with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) raised a combined $242 million. National party committees reported the receipt of over $95 million, representing an increase in fundraising by 14.4 percent and 26.5 percent over 2009 and 2007 totals, respectively, between January 1 and June 30. Senatorial party committees raised $45 million, representing an increase in receipts by 2.4 percent over 2009 totals for the same period but a 4.5 percent decrease in receipts when compared to the same period in 2007. Party committees supporting candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives reported combined receipts of $67.2 million, a 38.8 percent and a 2 percent increase over 2009 and 2007 six-month totals, respectively.

The table below shows levels of fundraising for national party committees for the first six months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2009-2010 and 2007-2008, the last non-presidential and presidential cycles, respectively.

National, State and Local Party Receipts in First Six Months of Election Cycle
(in Millions of Dollars)

	2011	2009	2007
National Party Committees (DNC/RNC)	$95.05	$83.11	$75.17
Senatorial Campaign Committees (DSCC/NRSC)	$44.99	$43.92	$47.09
Congressional Campaign Committees (DCCC/NRCC)	$67.17	$48.40	$65.85
State and Local Committees (federal accounts)	$38.38	$47.34	$34.33
Total*	$242.04	$214.83	$220.34

*The totals have been adjusted to account for the subtraction of transfers from one party committee to another.

Contributions from individuals constituted the majority of receipts for party committees. National parties reported receiving $70.7 million from individuals and just over $2 million from political action committees (PACs) and House and Senate members’ campaign committees. Senatorial party committees reported receiving $33.1 million from individuals and $9.4 million from PACs and House and Senate members’ campaign committees. Party committees supporting candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives received $42.9 million from individuals and $18.3 million from PACs and incumbent members’ campaign committees.

At the end of June, national party committees had a combined total of $28.8 million in cash on hand and debts of $29.3 million. Senatorial party committees had $12.8 million in cash on hand and debts of $2.3 million, and party committees supporting candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives had $18.4 million in cash on hand and debts of $8.2 million.

The charts below provide summary data for the financial activities of the federal committees of the two major parties for the first six months of 2011 and comparisons for the same period in the previous 12 election cycles. Also included are tables depicting the breakdown of contributions to national parties by contribution amount, sources of party receipts, and a historical summary of six-month national party receipts from 1989 through 2011. There are also two tables showing the latest financial activity by national party committees, which file monthly, for the first seven months of 2011.

National Democratic Party Committee Financial Activity Through June 2011 [excel] [pdf]

National Republican Party Committee Financial Activity Through June 2011 [excel] [pdf]

Contributions from Individuals to National Party Committees by Contribution Amount [excel] [pdf]

Sources of Receipts by National Party Committees [excel] [pdf]

Sources of Receipts by Party Senate Committees [excel] [pdf]

Sources of Receipts by Party House Committees [excel] [pdf]

Six-month Party Receipts Over Time [excel] [pdf]

Seven-Month National Party Financial Activity:

National Democratic Party Committee Financial Activity Through July 2011 [excel] [pdf]

National Republican Party Committee Financial Activity Through July 2011 [excel] [pdf]

2012 Congressional Candidates Raise Over $285 Million In First Half Of 2011

2012 CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES RAISE OVER $285 MILLION
IN FIRST HALF OF 2011

WASHINGTON – 2012 Candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives reported raising a total of $285.2 million from January 1 through June 30, 2011, according to disclosure reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. Candidates seeking election to 33 U.S. Senate seats reported raising $103.1 million during the first six months of 2011. Candidates for the House of Representatives reported raising $182.1 million in that period.

U.S. Senate

The $103.1 million that 82 individual Senate campaign committees raised in 2011 was the highest total ever reported for the first six months in a non-election year, exceeding the previous high of $93.2 million raised in the first half of 2009. In 2005, the last time this same group of Senate seats was up for election, 85 candidates raised $84.8 million during the first six months of the cycle.

From January 1 through June 30, 2011, contributions from individuals accounted for $75.8 million, or 74 percent of the total Senate candidates raised.* Political action committee (PAC) contributions to Senate candidates totaled $17.5 million, representing 17 percent of the campaigns’ receipts.

Senate candidates ended the first six months of 2011 with $121 million cash-on-hand and debts of $5.4 million, some from previous elections.

U.S. House of Representatives

Campaign finance reports filed by House candidates for the period January 1 through June 30, 2011, show 420 House incumbents with combined receipts of $151.6 million, a $20.5 million (15.6%) increase from the same period in 2009. Individual contributions accounted for $75.8 million of House incumbents’ total receipts in the first half of 2011, representing a $13.2 million (21.1%) increase from the first six months of 2009.* Contributions from PACs amounted to $66.9 million, a slight increase of $2.1 million (3.2%) compared to the same time period in the previous election cycle. House incumbents reported a combined $217.4 million cash-on-hand total at the end of the reporting period, a decrease of $15.5 million (6.7%) from the first half of 2009.

Non-incumbent candidates raised a total of $30.5 million for House races during the first six months of 2011, slightly outpacing the $30.3 million raised during the same six-month period in 2009. As of June 30, 2011, House non-incumbent candidates had a combined cash-on-hand total of $18.1 million, a $500,000 (2.8%) increase from the June 2009 combined total.

House freshman incumbents reported receipts of $37.2 million, an increase of $9.5 million (34.3%) from the same six-month period in 2009. House freshman incumbents received $20.8 million from individual contributors and $14.6 million from PACs and other political committees, representing increases of $7 million (50.7%) and $1.4 million (10.6%) from 2009 six-month totals, respectively. The combined cash-on-hand total for House freshman incumbents as of June 30, 2011 equaled $28.2 million, a $6.3 million (28.8%) increase compared to the combined total of the first six months of 2009.

The following tables include fundraising totals for the top 50 Senate and House members in the following categories: total receipts, contributions from individuals, PAC contributions, disbursements, and cash-on-hand. Comparative charts and graphs are also included, along with summary statistical information for each Senate candidate. Information on financial activity for these Senate candidates in 2007-2008, 2009-2010, and 2011-2012 is also provided.
* The limits on contributions by individuals to candidate committees are indexed for inflation every two years. The current contribution limit for individuals to these committees is $2,500 per election.

Senate Campaign Financial Summary [EXCEL] [PDF]

Senate Candidate Top 50 Receipts [EXCEL] [PDF]

Senate Candidate Top 50 Contributions from Individuals [EXCEL] [PDF]

Senate Candidate Top 50 Contributions from Other Committees (PACs) [EXCEL] [PDF]

Senate Candidate Top 50 Disbursements [EXCEL] [PDF]

Senate Candidate Top 50 Cash on Hand [EXCEL] [PDF]

House Incumbent Summary [EXCEL] [PDF]

House Freshmen Summary [EXCEL] [PDF]

House Nonincumbent Summary [EXCEL] [PDF]

House Incumbent Top 50 Receipts [EXCEL] [PDF]

House Incumbent Top 50 Contributions from Individuals [EXCEL] [PDF]

House Incumbent Top 50 Contributions from Other Committees (PACs) [EXCEL] [PDF]

House Incumbent Top 50 Disbursements [EXCEL] [PDF]

House Incumbent Top 50 Cash on Hand [EXCEL] [PDF]

House Nonincumbent Top 50 Receipts [EXCEL] [PDF]

Federal Election Commission Candidate Registration Procedures (When an individual running for federal office becomes a candidate)

Candidate Registration

Published in March 2005 (updated February 2011)

Contents

• Individual Test the Waters
• Individual Becomes a Candidate
• Registration by Candidate
• Registration by Principal Campaign Committee
• Where to Obtain Forms
• Amending the Registration

This brochure explains when an individual running for federal office becomes a candidate under the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act). It describes the steps a candidate must take to register under the Act and the steps his or her committee(s) must take to register as political committees under the Act. Citations refer to Federal Election Commission regulations and to the Act.1 If you have any questions after reading this brochure, please call the Commission in Washington, D.C., on the toll-free number, 800/424-9530.

Individual Tests the Waters

Before deciding to run for federal office, an individual may first want to “test the waters” — explore the feasibility of becoming a candidate. For example, the individual may want to travel around the state to see if there is sufficient support for a possible Senate candidacy.

An individual who spends money only to test the waters (but not to campaign for office) does not have to register as a candidate under the election law. (The threshold that triggers candidate status is discussed below.) Nevertheless, funds received and spent to test the waters are subject to the Act’s limits and prohibitions.2 Furthermore, financial records of testing-the-waters activities should be kept because, if the individual later becomes a candidate, the funds received and spent to test the waters will be considered contributions and expenditures. They will be reportable when the campaign files its first report. 11 CFR 100.72(a); 100.131(a); 101.3.

For example, Mr. Jones is interested in running for Congress but is unsure whether he has enough support within his district to make a successful bid. He therefore accepts up to $2,500 from each of several friends to pay for an opinion poll. The results of the poll indicate good name recognition in the community, and Jones decides to run. On the first report Jones files after he becomes a candidate (i.e., after he either receives contributions or makes expenditures which exceed $5,000), his committee must report the donations from his friends as “contributions” and the costs of the poll as “expenditures.” Had Jones not become a candidate, there would have been no obligation to report these financial transactions, and the donations made to help pay for the poll would not have counted as contributions.

An individual may conduct a variety of testing-the-waters activities. Certain activities, however, indicate that an individual has decided to become a candidate and is no longer merely testing the waters. Under these circumstances, the testing-the-waters exemption would no longer apply. For example, the exemption does not apply if the individual:

• Raises funds in excess of amounts reasonably required for exploratory activity or amasses funds to be used after candidacy is established;
• Conducts activities over a protracted period of time or shortly before the election;
• Uses public political advertising to publicize his or her intention to campaign;
• Makes or authorizes statements that refer to him or her as a candidate; or
• Seeks ballot access. 11 CFR 100.72(b) and 100.131(b).

Individual Becomes a Candidate

An individual becomes a candidate for federal office (and thus triggers registration and reporting obligations under the Act) when his or her campaign exceeds $5,000 in either contributions or expenditures. The threshold is reached when any one of the circumstances described below occurs.

Receives Contributions or Makes Expenditures

The individual receives contributions or makes expenditures, either of which aggregate over $5,000. 11 CFR 100.3(a)(1). Funds raised and spent to test the waters apply to this $5,000 threshold once the individual decides to run for office.

Authorizes Campaign Activity

The individual authorizes another person to accept contributions or make expenditures on his or her behalf, and the authorized person receives contributions or makes expenditures which exceed $5,000. 11 CFR 100.3(a)(2).

Fails to Disavow Campaign Activity

The individual fails to write the Commission a letter disavowing unauthorized campaign efforts on his or her behalf within 30 days after being notified by the FEC that another person has received contributions or made expenditures of more than $5,000 on the individual’s behalf. 11 CFR 100.3(a)(3).

Reaches Aggregate Threshold

The individual and other persons (described above), in any combination, together receive contributions or make expenditures in excess of $5,000 on the individual’s behalf. 11 CFR 100.3(a)(4).

Registration by Candidate

Within 15 days after an individual becomes a candidate, he or she must designate a principal campaign committee as the principal committee to receive contributions and make expenditures on the candidate’s behalf. This designation must be made in writing by filing a Statement of Candidacy (FEC Form 2 [PDF]) or by filing a letter with the same information (i.e., the individual’s name and address, the district and/or state in which the federal office is sought, and the name and address of his or her principal campaign committee). 11 CFR 101.1(a). Candidates for the House and Presidency file Form 2 with the FEC, while Senate candidates file Form 2 with the Secretary of the Senate.

Registration by Principal Campaign Committee

Within 10 days after it has been designated by the candidate, the principal campaign committee must file a Statement of Organization (FEC Form 1) [PDF] with the FEC or, in the case of Senate candidates, with the Secretary of the Senate. The Statement must identify the committee’s treasurer, bank depositories, any other committees authorized by the same candidate 4 and other pertinent information, described below. 11 CFR 102.1(a) and 102.2(a).

Name of Committee

The name of the principal campaign committee must include the name of the candidate it is supporting. 11 CFR 102.14(a).

Contact Information

The address provided on Form 1 is considered the committee’s address of record. All Commission correspondence will be sent to this address. The committee also discloses its e-mail address and the URL of its web site, if applicable.

Treasurer Required

Each principal campaign committee must have a treasurer; no contribution or expenditure may be made or accepted when there is a vacancy in that office. An assistant treasurer, who would act as treasurer in the event of a vacancy, may be designated on the committee’s Statement of Organization. 11 CFR 102.7.

No Support of Other Candidates

A principal campaign committee may not support (or ever have supported) more than one candidate. It may, however, be authorized as a joint fundraising committee by several candidates who engage in joint fundraising activity. (“Support” does not include contributions aggregating $2,000 or less per election made to another candidate’s authorized committee.) 2 U.S.C. 432(e)(3)(B).

Campaign Depositories

The principal campaign committee must designate at least one campaign depository where all contributions are deposited and from which all expenditures (except those from a petty cash fund) are made through a checking account. Only state banks, national banks or depository institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration may be designated as depositories. 11 CFR 103.2 and 103.3.

Identification Number

The principal campaign committee is given an identification number only after the Statement of Organization is filed. 11 CFR 102.2(c).

Where to Obtain Forms

All forms for registration are available from the Information Division, Federal Election Commission, Washington, D.C. 20463, or by calling, toll-free, 800/424-9530. Accompanying each FEC form are detailed line-by-line instructions on how to complete and file the form.

Amending the Registration

Committees must report any change or correction to their registration (such as a change in officers, address or bank depositories) by writing a letter or filing an amended FEC Form 1 (Statement of Organization) [PDF] signed by the treasurer. Any such change must be reported within 10 days after it is made. 11 CFR 102.2(a)(2).

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FOOTNOTES

1 Commission regulations are contained in Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations (11 CFR); the Act is contained in Title 2 of the United States Code (2 U.S.C.). The reader should not rely solely on this brochure but should also consult the Act and the regulations.

2 Prohibited contributions include contributions from corporations (profit and nonprofit), labor organizations and foreign nationals. Contributions to a candidate are limited to $2,500 per election or, if the donor is a multicandidate committee, $5,000 per election.

3 Please note that though Senate candidates must file FEC Form 2 [PDF] with the Secretary of the Senate, they must also fax or email a copy of Form 2 to the FEC.

4 In addition to the principal campaign committee, a candidate may designate other authorized committees to receive contributions and make expenditures on the candidate’s behalf. These committees file all statements and reports through the principal campaign committee. For more information, consult the Instructions for the Statement of Candidacy [PDF].

FEC Announces 2011-2012 Campaign Cycle Contribution Limits

FEC ANNOUNCES 2011-2012 CAMPAIGN CYCLE CONTRIBUTION LIMITS

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission today announced updated contribution limits that have been indexed for inflation and are effective for federal elections in 2011-2012.

During the current, two-year election cycle, individuals may contribute up to $2,500 per election to federal candidates for President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives and up to $30,800 per year to national party committees. An individual’s total contribution to all federal campaigns, parties and other political committees combined may not exceed $117,000 between Jan.1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2012.The following table lists all of the contribution limits for 2011-2012.
Contribution Limits for 2011-2012


 To each candidate or candidate committee per election
 To national party committee per calendar year
 To state, district & local party committee per calendar year
 To any other political committee per calendar year (1)
 Special Limits
 
 Individual may give
 $2,500*
 $30,800*
 $10,000
(combined limit)
 $5,000
 $117,000* overall biennial limit:
• $46,200* to all candidates
• $70,800* to all PACs & parties (2)
 
National Party Committee may give
 $5,000
 No Limit
 No Limit
 $5,000
 $43,100* to Senate Candidates per campaign (3)
 
State, District & Local Party Committee may give
 $5,000
(combined limit)
 No Limit
 No Limit
 $5,000
(combined limit)
 No Limit
 
PAC (multicandidate) (4) may give
 $5,000
 $15,000
 $5,000
(combined limit)
 $5,000
 No Limit
 
PAC (not multicandidate) may give
 $2,500*
 $30,800*
 $5,000
(combined limit)
 $5,000
 No Limit
 
Authorized Campaign Committee may give
 $2,000 (5)
 No Limit
 No Limit
 $5,000
 No Limit
 

The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA) included provisions that indexed some contribution limits for inflation.The limit for individuals’ contributions to candidates, for example, was set at $2,000 per election in BCRA and is adjusted at the start of each new election cycle. Adjustments are announced after the Department of Labor determines the inflation rate for the previous election year (in this case 2010). The new limit on contributions from individuals to candidates is effective retroactively to the day after the last general election (i.e., Nov. 3, 2010).The other new limits are effective retroactively to Jan. 1, 2011.
The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 (HLOGA) added the requirement that certain political committees disclose contributions bundled by lobbyists/registrants and lobbyist/registrant political action committees once the contributions exceed a specified threshold amount. This amount, adjusted annually for inflation, is $16,200 for calendar year 2011.

Under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act), the Commission must adjust coordinated party expenditure limits annually to account for inflation. This applies to coordinated expenditures by national party committees and state party committees or their subordinate committees in connection with the general election campaign of candidates for federal office. The coordinated party expenditure limits that apply to any general elections held in 2011 can be found in this chart on the FEC website.

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* These contribution limits are increased for inflation in odd-numbered years.
(1) A contribution earmarked for a candidate through a political committee counts against the original contributor’s limit for that candidate. In certain circumstances, the contribution may also count against the contributor’s limit to the PAC. 11 CFR 110.6. See also 11 CFR 110.1(h).
(2) No more than $46,200 of this amount may be contributed to state and local party committees and PACs.
 (3) This limit is shared by the national committee and the national Senate campaign committee.
 (4) A multicandidate committee is a political committee with more than 50 contributors which has been registered for at least 6 months and, with the exception of state party committees, has made contributions to 5 or more candidates for federal office. 11 CFR 100.5(e)(3).
 (5) A federal candidate's authorized committee(s) may contribute no more than $2,000 per election to another federal candidate's authorized committee(s). 11 CFR 102.12(c)(2).
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign finance laws. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, the Presidency and the Vice Presidency. Established in 1975, the FEC is composed of six Commissioners who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.