Every election cycle, billions of dollars are raised at the local, state, and federal levels. Candidates running for office promise to improve the community they hope to serve — yet the vast majority of campaign dollars never reach those communities at all.

Between January 2023 and April 2024, political campaigns across federal races raised approximately $8.6 billion. Most of it went toward advertising, consultants, and campaign operations. When a candidate loses, every dollar disappears with them. Even when a candidate wins, very little of that money ever benefits the public directly.

With a logical adjustment to how campaign funds are allocated, we could drastically change the impact of candidates running for office, whether they win, or lose.

We propose a Campaign Giveback Tax — a requirement that a small percentage of campaign funds be reinvested directly into the community the candidate seeks to represent, whether they win or lose.

How It Works

• If a candidate runs for a city office, the giveback funds stay in that city.
• If they run for a state office, the funds go to that state.
• Federal candidates’ giveback funds stay within the district or state they aim to represent.

Where the Funds Go

• 50% to local government–community partnership funds
• 50% to nonprofits operating within the jurisdiction.

Why This Matters

• Communities benefit whether a candidate wins or loses
• Voters see candidates’ priorities through their reinvestment choices
• Local governments receive funding without raising taxes
• Nonprofits gain stability to expand essential services
• Campaign dollars finally produce real public impact

If this policy had existed in the 2023–24 cycle, even a 2.5% giveback would have returned over $215 million directly into communities across America. A 25% giveback would fruit $2.15 billion back to the people.

A Simple Change With Powerful Impact
To implement this proposal, some regulatory changes would be required, as current campaign finance rules limit how campaign funds may be used. But the benefits — stronger communities, more transparency, better-funded public programs, and lasting local impact — make those changes both reasonable and necessary. This is a simple shift with transformative potential, and the return to our communities would far outweigh any administrative adjustments needed to achieve it.

This reform ensures that campaign dollars finally do what they should have been doing all along, benefiting the people.

Please join me in supporting the Campaign Giveback Tax.