Can a candidate who has dropped out of the race give his campaign funds to another candidate he supports or spend that money in a way that helps that person?
I’m sure it can’t be done but if that’s true, what governs this?
Is there a particular rule or law that addresses the fact that contributors gave with the thought that their contribution would go to that candidate only?
Or is it to prevent someone from falsely entering the race, then dropping out just to give donated funds to someone they really wanted to have it along, bypassing certain campaign financing laws?
Candidates can and do give unused campaign funds to other candidates after they drop out of a race or retire. Its reasonably common. They just have to follow the rules that apply to any other donor.
Not that I am aware of at a national level. And I am reasonably certain that PA does not allow a donor to say that a contribution is only for X candidate. If you give it, its the candidate’s money to do as they please with it.
Grey area I would think. Their certainly isn’t anything that prevents someone being being a stalking horse in the race.
But if someone were to start a candidacy for the sole purpose of collecting donation and passing them along to another candidate to violate legal maximums, I would guess thatsomeone could find something illegal out there. Especially if donors had all given to both candidates/ If nothing else a determined prosecutor could always call if a conspiracy to violate election law and go after you on that basis. Although a conspiracy has to be proven.