Virginia bill to ban politicians from using campaign funds for personal use progresses
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RICHMOND — A bill that would prohibit politicians from using campaign donations on personal expenses unanimously passed a House subcommittee Wednesday.
The bill, introduced by Del. Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax, defines a personal expense as one that would exist regardless of the candidate’s duties as a candidate or public office holder. It provides examples of prohibited personal expenses, including mortgage or rent payments, clothing, tuition payments, non-campaign related vehicle expenses, country club or health club memberships, or vacations.
However, it includes a clarification that funds could be used to cover child care costs.
“It should probably be called the George Santos bill,” Nancy Morgan, coordinator for BigMoneyOutVA, told the House Subcommittee on Campaign Finance. “Many of the infractions that Santos was charged with are legal in Virginia.”
Santos, the former Republican congressman from New York, faces a host of federal charges, including allegations that he defrauded donors to his campaign, and used campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses like designer clothing.
The bill further directs the State Board of Elections and the attorney general’s office to provide detailed examples about what counts as a personal expenditure.
The bill has bipartisan support. Dels. Mike Cherry, R-Colonial Heights, and Kelly Convirs-Fowler, D-Virginia Beach, serve as chief co-patrons. Wednesday’s vote included backing by the five Democrats and three Republicans on the subcommittee.
The bill passed Wednesday with little debate. It was referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, has introduced an identical bill in the Senate.
Virginia has some of the most lax campaign spending laws in the nation. Politicians can legally spend campaign donations on essentially anything, and there’s no limit on who can donate or how much donors can give. Some campaign finance reform advocates say this is especially concerning because more money has poured into state races in recent years.
Other legislation this session relating to campaign finance includes a bill from Sen. Danica Roem, D-Manassas, that would ban candidates and political committees from accepting contributions from public utilities.
Another measure from Del. David Bulova, D-Fairfax Station, would prohibit persons from making contributions that exceed $20,000 to any one candidate for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, or the Senate of Virginia — or $10,000 for candidates for the House of Delegates — per election cycle.
Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com
