Fundraising, State Campaigns

THE COSTS OF running campaigns for state offices are increasing. Fundraising for state campaigns can be as difficult as fundraising for campaigns for federal offices. In some instances, the number of constituents is higher for state-elected officials than for those who hold federal office. State campaigns can be just as expensive to run, but with fewer options for funding sources. Types of elections vary by state, but all states have statewide general elections in which voters choose from a number of candidates to fill an office. In most states, voters select party nominees for statewide offices from a group of potential candidates in a primary election. A total of 10 states require that the winner of a primary or general election receive over a certain percentage (between 40 and 50 percent) of the votes cast. If no candidate achieves the minimum percentage of votes, a runoff election is held between the top two vote-getters in the primary or general election. Thus, in order to achieve state offices, candidates may have to raise enough funds to cover campaigns in primaries, runoffs, and general elections.

All gubernatorial campaigns are statewide. Other elected officials who run statewide campaigns vary by state, but can include lieutenant governors, attorneys general, secretaries of state, comptrollers or treasurers, commissioners for some state agencies or departments, and statewide judicial candidates. In some states, many of these offices are appointed rather than elected. Because state constitutions determine the manner of the selection of these office holders, they are sometimes referred to as constitutional offices.

Other statewide elections may be held as part of the process to amend state constitutions or for public referenda. Candidates for state senate or state house of representatives run campaigns within district lines determined by the state legislatures. District elections for state office holders may also include judicial positions, public service commissioners, and other officials. State officials seek campaign funds in much the same way as candidates for federal offices. Money in campaigns at the state level also produces the same concerns as money in campaigns for federal offices. However, the lack of uniform regulations across states has made examination of the role of money and fundraising at the state level more difficult.