RI Pols Swimming in Out-of-State Cash
Saturday, November 12, 2011
They represent Rhode Island, but the majority of money raised by Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation comes from outside the state, according to the website opensecrets.org.
Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed lead the way, having raised over $3 million in places other than the Ocean State. More than half of Congressman David Cicilline and James Langevin’s war chest also comes from out-of-state, with Cicilline raising just over $180,000 and Langevin pulling in nearly $65,000 in funds.
Republican Senate candidate Barry Hinckley has also relied on out-of-state money as he prepares to challenge Whitehouse, raising 90 percent of his campaign funds elsewhere. Congressional candidate Brendan Doherty has pulled in $38,500 from out-of-state; Just 18 percent of Doherty’s contributions have come from place other than Rhode Island.GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Heavy Cost of Campaigning
The out-of-state fundraising prowess is not surprising, especially in a state as small as Rhode Island, according to Rhode Island College political communication professor Dr. Kay Israel. Because elections tend to cost so much, Israel said candidates often to have to search for individuals or groups willing to funnel money from other parts of the country.
“With the heavy cost of campaigning and the limitations placed on a donor, candidates are forced to seek funding anywhere they can find it,” Israel said. “Whether it's from out of state individuals, unions or corporate political action committees, or national parties candidates need to find those with enough wealth to spread money around. Each can only contribute a limited amount of money to a candidate, but the law allows them to do it for several candidates.”
Israel said the trend of bundling has also become more prevalent as those seeking office try to find as many donors as possible--in state or out-- that will combine with others and spend the maximum federal law allows ($2,500). He said an individual in Rhode Island can also contribute funds to an out-of-state organization and have that organization provide an Rhode Island candidate additional funding because the initial source isn't of concern in terms of campaign financial limitations.
Other Reasons
In many cases, out-of-state funders tend to have some presence in Rhode Island that may not be indicated by their filed mailing address. Israel said unions and corporations frequently have am existence in multiple states, which explains some of the money that goes to Rhode Island politicians.
But simply having a presence in Washington also helps, at least for the Congressional Delegation. Fundraisers are often hosted for them and lobbyists and other elected officials often contribute to their campaigns, particularly when a key vote is coming.
“Candidates while representing specific districts and states often will be voting on bills that have national significance,” Israel said. “For example, while an R.I. Senator may be seeking to protect the interests of our state, the passage of the bill has ramifications that go beyond Westerly or Block Island. Those making donations are looking for likeminded candidates who will vote in a manner consistent with the donor's view. That could mean a donation to that R.I. Senator's campaign chest.”
Small State Leads to Out-of-State Money
Quest Research pollster Victor Profughi said it isn’t just other elected officials looking for support on a vote that are donating to campaigns in Rhode Island. He said interest groups may have their own reasons to target or lend support to a legislator (ideology, common concerns, detest for an opponent) and those groups are rarely based on geography, and almost never state contained.
Like Israel, Profughi also noted that because the two members of Congress and Senate hold national offices, votes on national issues can also lead to money coming from outside of Rhode Island.
The bottom line, however, is that because the state is so tiny, elected officials and candidates are often required to seek money elsewhere.
“Money needs to be raised where it can be found,” Profughi said. “Given the very limited geographic size of our state, raising the funds required to compete in a meaningful fashion virtually required any candidate running for a national office to go outside Rhode Island to raise required money. “
Too Much Time Fundraising
Of course, there is a downside to that out-of-state cash, Profughi said. A large percentages of campaign funds coming from outside the state frequently leads opponents to attack a “non-representativeness or non-responsiveness” of legislators.
But Israel it’s not so much about where the money comes from; it’s how much time an elected official spends raising money versus actually working. That’s the case both nationally and locally.
“I would say the issue isn't about the source of funding, but the question should be asked, with so much time and money being spent on election and re-election, how do we get any politician out of the process of having to fundraise and totally invested in the pursuit of good, national policy,” Israel said. “Candidates generally, once elected, have to immediately be concerned with reelection funding.”
If you valued this article, please LIKE GoLocalProv.com on Facebook by clicking HERE.
