Maxing Out: Leg Up for Challengers - campaign fund distribution - Brief Article

Congressional challengers and open-seat candidates from both parties benefit more from maximum $1,000 contributions than incumbents, according to a recent study by the Campaign Finance Institute.

Overall, challengers and open-seat US. House candidates relied on $1,000 contributions for 22 percent of their contributions. Incumbents raised 18 percent of their contributions from the maximum $1,000 individual donations.

Congressional Democratic challengers raised 20 percent of their contributions in $1,000 amounts, on a percentage basis more than their Republican incumbent opponents, who raised 18 percent of their funds from the maximum donations. Republican challengers raised 25 percent of their contributions in $1,000 amounts, again more than the 18 percent reliance on $1,000 contributions by incumbent House Democrats.

House open-seat Democratic and Republican candidates, respectively, raised 20 percent and 23 percent of their contributions in $1,000 amounts.

The study sorted out the data according to the competitiveness of the race. FEC data from 1996, 1998 and 2000 elections were analyzed as part of the study.

"The study should put to rest claims that raising the $1,000 cap would hurt challengers and open-seat candidates -- Democrat or Republican," said CFI Executive Director Michael Malbin. "Challengers and open-set candidates depend on $1,000 contributions more than incumbents.

The data are remarkably consistent. Election year, competitiveness and other factors had little impact on the fundraising patterns," Malbin said.

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