Roemer qualifies for federal campaign matching funds

Excluded from debates and largely ignored by the Republican establishment, former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer has become the first presidential candidate to qualify for federal matching campaign funds. The Federal Election Commission says Roemer has reached the $100,000 threshold amount in the required manner: $5,000 collected in 20 different states in amounts no greater than $250 from any individual. The FEC will now request that the United States Treasury make an initial payment of $100,000 to Roemer’s campaign. Roemer will be able to submit additional contributions for matching funds every month. The maximum he—or any qualifying candidate—can receive is estimated to be about $22.8 million. Though Roemer’s message has failed to make much of an impact via the mainstream media, Roemer has made the promise not to take more than $100 from any contributor a cornerstone of his campaign. He’s also been an outspoken critic of super political action committees, or super PACs, with campaign finance reform one of his major issues. His filing with the FEC lists roughly 3,500 people from across the country who have contributed no more than $100—many giving as little as $5 or $10. Check out Roemer’s website here to keep up with his campaign.