Ex-Lawmakers Can Give Campaign Cash to Charity but Rarely Do
May 23, 2014 | Read Time: 1 minute
The Center for Public Integrity examines what dozens of former U.S. House and Senate members and congressional candidates are doing with nearly $100-million in unused campaign funds rather than donating it to charity, as they are legally allowed to do.
Ex-candidates are not required by law to divest of their leftover campaign funds but are limited as to how they can spend it. Charitable gifts are one permissible use, alongside returning it campaign donors, making contributions to other candidates, and a handful of other options.
Nine former congressmen and also-ran candidates have at least $1-million in campaign accounts, led by former Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh with $9.84-million. Many of those holding campaign cash have made donations to nonprofits; those listed in the article are generally in the four and five figures. Some ex-lawmakers said they have no plans for the money, while others said they have not ruled out future runs for office.
