A city or county candidate in a city or county that has not enacted a campaign contribution limit who is defeated in the primary or special primary election, or who withdraws from the general or special general election, must return contributions received for the general or special general election to the contributors. The contributions are returned on a pro rata basis, less the cost of raising or administering the funds and expenses attributable to the general election paid prior to the primary election (e.g., media purchases).
Loans
For city and county candidates in a city or county that has not enacted a campaign contribution limit, loans from third parties are contributions subject to limits. However, if a loan has been repaid, the lender, guarantor, endorser, or cosigner may make additional contributions to the same committee up to the limit. Please see Candidate Personal Funds below for more information on candidate loans to their own committee.
Candidate’s Personal Funds
Contribution limits do not apply to a candidate’s personal funds contributed to their own campaign. However, a city or county candidate in a city or county that has not already enacted a contribution limit, may not have loans to their campaign with an outstanding balance of more than $100,000 at any time. A candidate may not charge interest on a loan they make to the campaign. The $100,000 limit on personal loans applies to loans from the candidate’s personal funds as well as loans from a commercial lending institution which the candidate lends to their campaign. “Campaign” includes both the primary and general, or special and special runoff, elections. However, a candidate may loan each committee for a different office or term of office up to $100,000.
Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov
Chapter 1.3
Campaign Manual 2 August 2023 Page 108
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