whistle100508
On the homepage
Thanksgiving
Out There
Vikings
Pardon Board
You're a contributor to 263 state House campaigns
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on DiggAre you fighting City Hall? Got a problem in your neighborhood? Contact us at whistleblower@startribune.com or 612-673-4271. Read more and sound off at www.startribune.com/whistleblower.
More from Politically Connected
Last month, 263 people who are running for the state House of Representatives got an enormous campaign contribution: $1.58 million. The donors? The taxpayers of Minnesota.
Minnesota is still rare among states for its public funding of state campaigns, said Jeff Sigurdson, assistant director of the state Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
In exchange for taking public money, candidates agree to keep their spending under a certain amount. That's typically $31,400 for state House candidates this year. First-time candidates get a little bit more, presumably for such things as extra yard signs and bumper stickers to trumpet their lesser-known names.
Created in the 1970s, the subsidies have helped keep Minnesota's candidate spending lower than that in Wisconsin and many other states, although some have said campaign spending is still going up via third-party groups.
The 263 House candidates who took the money represent 94 percent of all those affiliated with major parties and running in the elections. The individual subsidies vary widely, depending on how many taxpayers in a district voluntarily checked off a campaign contribution box on their tax forms.
This season, the public subsidy recipient getting the most is state Rep. Frank Hornstein, a DFLer from south Minneapolis, according to the board. He got $11,529.43. Hornstein is running against Adam Martin, a Republican who has declined public financing.
The least: $367.04 for Colin Lee, a Green Party member who's running for a seat in District 36A, in Dakota and Scott counties. He's going against incumbent Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, a Republican ($8,193.11 public subsidy) and DFLer Dave Laidig ($6,138.33 public subsidy).
There's a wealth of other information about money in state politics at the board's website, www.cfboard.state.mn.us, including details on campaign donors, reports on how candidates spent campaign money and enforcement actions by the board against individuals and groups that broke the rules.
JAMES ELI SHIFFER
Recent Politically Connected stories
Tour produces no big breakthroughs - October 4, 2008
Tour produces no big breakthroughs - Wrapping up his trip with warm talks in South Korea, he said he'll send envoy to North.
His story connected with ordinary citizens but may have had limits with Asian leaders. More
- White House: Obama Afghan decision 'within days'
- Obama welcomes Indian PM at start of state visit
- SC legislators begin Sanford impeachment hearings
- Quam exits firm to help husband run for governor
- Weaver opts against run for Minn. governor
- Legislators take a field trip to the Metrodome
- No guarantees on Senate health bill's public plan
- Disabled vet who inspired Franken sues McDonald's for $10 million
- Afghanistan announcement expected next week
- Health care issues: US costs vs. other countries
The Whistleblower blog has moved
The Star Tribune is still blowing the whistle, but our look and location have changed. Click here to get to the new blog. If you want the actual URL, it’s www.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower.html. Our blog posts will now be easier to search on the web site, but you’ll need to register to post a comment. In the [...]
Recent posts
 Receive Customized E-mail AlertsSign up for My Car Searches & E-mail Alerts. |
Comment on this story | Be the first to comment | Hide reader comments