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.
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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.
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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.
Victory Rally with Paul Ryan at the Loras College Fieldhouse in Dubuque, Iowa on Monday, October 1, 2012
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN TO CAMPAIGN IN NORTH CAROLINA
