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Rep. Giles Submits Bill to Increase Seed Money Limits for Clean Elections Candidates

AUGUSTA – State Rep. Jayne Crosby Giles has introduced legislation to increase the amount of seed money contributions that Maine Clean Election Act (MCEA) candidates may receive. The bill, LD 259, would increase the amounts from $1,500 to $2,000 for candidates for the State Senate and from $500 to $750 for House hopefuls.

Rep. Giles, in testimony prepared for the Joint Standing Committee on Legal and Veterans Affairs, said the bill also would allow candidates to accept both $5 and $10 checks to qualify for Clean Election financing. The legislation has bipartisan support and is scheduled for a public hearing before the committee on March 9.

“Knowing that the state still faces budget issues, I decided to submit this bill in order for candidates to help raise a little more money for their campaigns and for the Maine Clean Election Fund,” said Rep. Giles (R-Belfast). “I want to remain true to the spirit of Clean Election funding. Thus, I have proposed two changes on a voluntary basis so that financial obstacles do not deter Maine citizens from running for state office.”

Maine voters passed the MCEA as a citizen initiative in 1996. Candidates who choose to participate may accept very limited private contributions at the beginning of their campaigns, referred to as seed money. To become eligible, candidates must demonstrate community support through collecting a minimum number of $5 checks or money orders payable to the Maine Clean Election Fund. After a candidate begins to receive MCEA funds from the state, he or she cannot accept private contributions; all goods and services received must be paid for with MCEA funds.

Rep. Giles, who has run as a Clean Elections candidate for the House three times, noted that the cost of campaigning has risen since the inception of the law. “During this time, many campaign expenses have risen, including postage, printing and signage,” she said. “First-time candidates may find a higher limit particularly valuable as they work to become known in the district.”

Rep. Giles said approximately 85 percent of legislative candidates now run “clean,” versus those who run in the traditional fashion. “The Clean Elections Act is a valuable program,” she said. “The two changes proposed under LD 259 are designed to strengthen and sustain this option for future elections.”

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