FEC Approves Matching Funds for 2000 Presidential Candidate

For Immediate Release:                                                                                             Contact:   Sharon Snyder
December 22, 1999                                                                                                                        Ron Harris
                                                                                                                                                           Ian Stirton
                                                                                                                                                           Kelly Huff


 


FEC APPROVES MATCHING FUNDS FOR 2000 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Election Commission has certified $34,019,496.24 in
Federal Matching Funds to eight Presidential candidates for the 2000 election. The
U.S. Treasury Department will make the payments on January 3.

By comparison, in 1996, the first matching fund payments went to 10 candidates,
totaling $37,353,967.40; in 1992, eight candidates received $6,372,788.31; in 1988, 12
candidates received a total of $28,748,261.05; In 1984, $7,771,960.41 was paid to six
candidates; in 1980, $1,944,055.92 was paid to three candidates; and in 1976, 11
candidates received $1,880,502.21.

The following chart lists the amount certified to each candidate. Due to the fact that
there are insufficient funds to pay these amounts, Treasury will calculate a reduced
amount for each campaign. Reduced payments will continue until the Fund has been
replenished by future checkoff designations on 1999 tax returns, at which time each
campaign will receive the amount it is due. Elizabeth Dole initially qualified to receive
matching funds, but her campaign withdrew its request for funds. 



  

    
 
CANDIDATE
    
CERTIFICATION TODAY
    

  
  

    
Gary L. Bauer (R)
    
$ 3,964,359.04
    

  
  

    
Bill Bradley (D)
    
$ 8,343,853.83
    

  
  

    
Patrick J. Buchanan (Ref)
    
$ 2,372,196.26
    

  
  

    
Al Gore (D)
    
$11,070,709.82
    

  
  

    
Alan L. Keyes (R)
    
$ 1,241,434.35
    

  
  

    
Lyndon H. LaRouche, Jr. (D)
    
$ 733,767.72
    

  
  

    
John S. McCain (R)
    
$ 4,190,650.22
    

  
  

    
Dan Quayle (R)
    
$ 2,102,525.00
    

  



To be eligible to receive Federal Matching Funds, a candidate must first raise $100,000
in contributions from individuals: $5,000-plus in 20 different states, in amounts of no
more than $250 from any individual contributor. Candidates must also agree to abide by
spending limits, to keep certain records, and to submit those records for audit.

Candidates may submit requests for funds once each month. The Commission will certify
an amount to be paid by the U.S. Treasury the following month. Only contributions from
individuals in amounts of no more than $250 are matchable. Following the primary season,
candidates may be entitled to receive additional matching funds to assist in winding down
their campaigns or to retire debts.

The Commission has previously certified $13,224,000 to each of the two
major political parties, and $2,468,921 to the Reform Party (total = $28,916,921) for
their 2000 Presidential Nominating Conventions.


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