In Georgia, it costs $5,220 to run for Congress

So who get the $5,220?

When you run for Federal office, you have to pay $5,220 to your Georgia party, Republican or Democrat. According to the state law, 2006 Georgia Code – 21-2-131, up to 75% is kept by the state party and the balance sent to the Secretary of State. So if you’re a Democrat or Republican, based on our interpretation almost $4,000 is kept by the party and the state only receives $1,220, and does all the paperwork associated with the elections.

On the other hand, if you run for statewide office, the fee is a token $400.

That’s why the parties are happy to have lots of challengers, not only against the opposing party but even against their own incumbents. The more people thinking that they’ll win an election, the more money that their party will make. It’s a business, plain and simple.

Many states including California, a state that has a massive deficit, only asks  for $1,740 per candidate for the House of Representatives (versus $5,220 in Georgia), or just a few thousand signatures to qualify? Read about it here.

Here is the California example. Either pay to play…

or work to get signatures, and play free –

See each state’s requirements here.

It appears that the Georgia political system is a money making business. As most challengers lose, as there are only so many positions available and usually multiples of challengers for each seat, the large fees from people running for election is good for the respective party.

Many states just require that the candidate get enough signatures showing public interest, and perhaps pay a token amount of money, but to the best of our knowledge not Georgia.

Do you agree that your party’s real motivation is raking in excessive fees, while promoting their agenda or do you disagree? Write your comments below.

Vote for Allan Levene for Congress.