Buddy Roemer Qualifies for Federal Matching Funds

The Federal Elections Commission has qualified presidential hopeful Buddy Roemer for federal matching funds. Roemer, a former congressman and governor of Louisiana, is running for the Republican presidential nomination but has also opened the door to running for the Americans Elect nomination.

Carlos Sierra, Roemers campaign manager, weighed in on the matter, calling it a proud day for our campaign, because we earned a small recognition of our hard work and transparency. The Roemer campaign refuses to accept campaign contributions of more than $100.

Qualifying for matching funds isnt easy, Sierra said. It requires that you take in at least $5,000 in each of 20 states, in increments of $250 or less, and in our case, $100 or less, and that you agree to spending limits and strict auditing. Our donations came from all 50 states and territories ranging from $1 to $100, and we disclosed every penny even though were werent required to do so.

If more candidates went the matching funds route, that would mean fewer Wall Street and K Street fundraisers, and less favors candidates would have to promise to their big donors, Sierra added. Matching funds level the playing field and help take the corruptive influence of money out of the equation. We challenge the rest of the field to lead by example and denounce their super PACs and special interest money.