Campaign Money

Campaign money – the money spent to promote the candidacy of a person for a seat in the Senate or the House. It does not include monies spent to further an issue or an idea not specifically connected to the candidate. Spending on elections for the Senate and House combined rose from $77 million in 1974 to $1.8 billion in 2010; yes, it rose to $1,800 million or by a factor of 23. Spending for congressional elections grew 460% from 2006 to 2010. The sheer volume of money flowing and the need for congresspersons to “keep up with the Joneses’” in election spending has led to more and more time and effort being devoted to raising money. Now, we have the advent of Super Pac’s spending huge amounts of money from very few persons to influence elections. Election campaigns were shorter and worked better several decades ago when much less money was spent. Shorter campaigns are less tiring to both the candidates and their constituents. Money beyond the level needed to run an informative campaign seems to be thrown at redundant and negative TV advertising. Restrictions on campaign spending will hit all candidates equally. They well may welcome a reduction in the need to work hard for campaign money and bow down to pressure from lobbyists.

Contributions for campaign spending will be restricted by the amendment to only those from persons, meaning actual people, not corporations or any other legal entities, and contributions will be limited.

The need for campaign money by candidates for the House of Representatives will be greatly reduced by a term length change to four years.