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Staff report finds third‑party spending dominated San Francisco’s 2015 public‑financing races
Summary
Staff told the Ethics Commission that in the 2015 election third‑party spending equaled roughly 96% of candidate spending in the races analyzed; staff recommended reviewing program mechanics after repeatedly lifting candidate spending limits during that cycle.
Staff presented the 2015 public‑financing report at the April 25 meeting, outlining program mechanics, participation rules and key metrics and urging a program review in light of rising independent expenditures.
Assistant Deputy Executive Director Shaista Shaikh described the program’s qualifying rules in 2015: non‑incumbent candidates had to demonstrate $10,000 in qualifying contributions from at least 100 city residents (incumbents a higher threshold of $15,000 from 150 residents) to be eligible for public funding. Participating candidates agreed to a $250,000 spending cap that the Commission may raise in…
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