The FEC has a pending advisory opinion request regarding a self-described “homemaker” who seeks to draw a salary from the campaign. The issue seems to center on the apparent condition that the candidate, to be paid from the campaign, must have had earned income in the year prior to the campaign. “This additional safeguard will help ensure that campaign salaries are not used to enrich candidates, but instead used to compensate candidates for lost income that is forgone due to becoming a candidate.” E&J for 113.1.
Wasted Money
Reading “California: Campaigns Waste Lots of Money,” in The San Francisco Chronicle reminds me of the common saying that half the money campaigns spend is wasted; the problem is nobody knows which half.
Davis v. FEC Development
Rep. Tom Reynolds (N.Y.-26th C.D.) announced his retirement. His last opponent, Jack Davis, is the plaintiff in Davis v. FEC, the Millionaire’s Amendment case the Supreme Court will hear on April 22, 2008. One blog reports Davis is running in the 2008 primary. His FEC filings are here.