What's In Your (Candidate's) Wallet?

"Clean" money has its own agenda. If my candidacy accomplishes nothing else, it may at least disabuse you of the notion that public funding of political campaigns somehow purifies the process. No matter where it comes from, money is money. By itself it is neither "clean" nor "dirty." It is a means toward an end, a means by which people motivate and influence each other. More money means more influence.

The State of Maine spends about $6 million each election cycle in public financing of campaigns for the Legislature. Of the 305 House candidates who have registered thus far in 2008, 258 are seeking public financing (about 85%). The intent of the Maine Clean Elections Act is to level the playing field by limiting campaign expenditures and equalizing contributions, thereby empowering ordinary folks who might not otherwise have the resources to run.

If every candidate were required to run "clean," then the field would indeed be level. But such a requirement would be an unlawful abridgment of a candidate's First Amendment rights. So privately financed campaigns are still part of the political landscape, and any spending limits pertaining to these are strictly voluntary. It is still possible for a candidate to outspend his opponent and for "outside" money to impact a race.

But even a "clean" system can be gamed, and Maine's Democrats have shown that they are quite good at it. Of the 154 Democrats seeking House seats, 146 want house money (95%), compared to 75% of Republicans, 70% of Green-Independents, and 67% of Unenrolled candidates. If you are a Democrat thinking about running, you will be directed by party leaders to the public trough.

Let's look at our local House District as an example. LD 93 serves the towns of Mexico, Dixfield, Peru, Canton, and Carthage. The seat became vacant last August, prompting a special election. Democrats and Republicans had one month to hold their caucuses and nominate their respective candidates for the November election. The Democrats picked a first-timer named Sheryl Briggs and within 48 hours had her seed money of $500 taken care of: $100 from Speaker of the House Glenn Cummings (of Portland), $100 from Rumford Rep. John Patrick, $50 from House Majority Whip Sean Faircloth (of Bangor), $50 from County Sheriff Wayne Gallant (Rumford), $40 from Roy Gedat (Norway), and the other $160 from contributors residing in the district.

Think of it. Two-thirds of Sheryl's seed money came from outside the district. To whom does she owe her loyalty? How about to career politicians with future plans. Cummings is posturing for a gubernatorial run, Faircloth would like to be the next Attorney General, and Patrick is running for County Commissioner. These guys are players. When they tell Sheryl to jump, she will ask "how high," not "what for?"

Counting her seed money, Sheryl spent almost $8,000 on a ten-week campaign. She was authorized by the Ethics Commission to spend $7,495.18 of public funds; of that, she spent $7,493.99 and returned $1.19 to the MCEA kitty. This year she will do it all over again. I expect to spend much less, and none of it will be taxpayers' money.