Campaign Finance and Election Spending

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an independent regulatory agency that enforces campaign finance laws.

Campaign contributions are the money raised by a candidate or political party for the purpose of running an election campaign.

The maximum amount an individual can contribute to a candidate for federal office in a single election cycle is $2,900.

Campaign expenditures are the money spent by a candidate or political party on advertising, staff salaries, and other campaign-related expenses.

Campaign surplus is the money that is left over after a candidate or political party has paid all of its campaign expenses.

Self-financing is the practice of using money from a candidate's personal funds to finance their own campaign.

Party financing is the practice of using money from a political party to support a candidate's campaign.

PAC financing is the practice of using money from a political action committee (PAC) to support a candidate's campaign.

Super PAC financing is the practice of using money from a super PAC to support a candidate's campaign.

527 organization financing is the practice of using money from a 527 organization to support a candidate's campaign.

Dark money financing is the practice of using money from a dark money group to support a candidate's campaign.

Foreign government financing is the practice of using money from a foreign government to support a candidate's campaign.

Corporate financing is the practice of using money from a corporation to support a candidate's campaign.

Labor union financing is the practice of using money from a labor union to support a candidate's campaign.

Trade association financing is the practice of using money from a trade association to support a candidate's campaign.