Record number of MCEA candidates to see smaller checks

Candidates running with public financing will have a little less money to work with this year.

In the latest round of budget cuts, the Legislature cut 5 percent of funding for Clean Elections candidates. It’s not that big of a deal, said Jonathan Wayne, executive director of the Ethics’ Commission -- it’s the lawmakers’ way of sharing the sacrifice of the budget cuts.

The reductions would mean the following:

-Candidates in contested Senate races receive an average of $20,082. Now they will receive $19,078.

-Candidates in uncontested Senate races receive an average of $8,033. Now they will receive $7,631.

-Candidates in contested House races receive an average of $4,362. Now they will receive $4,144.

-Candidates in uncontested House races receive an average of $1,745. Now they will receive $1,658.

A record number of legislative candidates intend to use public funds this year. 84 percent have announced intentions, compared to last year’s 81 percent. Candidates have until Apr. 15 to file their qualifying materials.

Of the 393 candidates: 64 are privately financed, 77 have submitted materials to participate in Clean Elections, and 252 have announced intentions to file Clean Elections materials.