Campaign Finance and

Interest Groups

Campaign Finance – All funds raised in order to promote candidates, political parties, or public policy in an election

Public Finance – Government funds budgeted for the purpose of running campaigns and elections.

Private Finance – Money used to finance campaigns that come from private donors as a result of fundraising. Can come from individuals, companies, interest groups and Political Action Committees (PACs).

Campaign Finance

Federal campaign law is created by Congress, but enforced by the FEC

The Federal Election Committee (FEC) is an independent federal agency in charge of carrying out campaign law.

The FEC is part of the Executive Branch, but does not answer to the President or his Cabinet.

Campaign Finance Cont.

The presidential election, both the primaries and the general are both publically and privately financed.

All other federal election campaigns are funded privately

The largest percentage of funds typically come from corporations

State and local elections are regulated at the state level

Campaign Finance Cont.

Interest Group – Any voluntary association that seeks to publically promote and create advantages for its cause through lobbying.

Lobbying – Any attempt by individuals or interest groups that to influence the decisions of government.

Lobbyist – Someone who meets with politicians on behalf of the person or group who pays them

Interest Groups

Interest groups may include:

Corporations

Charitable and Non-Profit Organizations

Civil Rights Groups

Neighborhood Associations

Professional and trade organizations

Interest Groups Cont.

Many interest groups endorse politicians that share their beliefs. Endorsement includes…

Making donations to a politician’s campaign

Advertise candidates independently

Politicians will typically support the ideas of any interest group who endorses them while in office.

Interest Groups Cont.