Critics Slam LA Mayor Using Taxpayer Money for Campaign Donors

Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces fresh criticism after a video ad made clear that her reelection campaign could boost donor gifts with taxpayer money. The spot played upbeat music while she spoke into a lapel mic, telling viewers their current contribution is more critical than ever before. She explained that LA's super match program matches every qualified donation from city residents six to one. After the primary, she said they had to start over and needed urgent help fueling the effort. A quick five dollar gift would become thirty-five dollars total, while twenty-five would turn into one hundred seventy-five.

This explanation immediately raised eyebrows for those worried about using public funds as campaign contributions. Roxanne Hoge, chairwoman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County, told Fox News Digital that the system lets politicians enrich themselves and their friends to get elected. She compared it to a kid with a fancy ball making all the rules for others to play. But advocates insist the program is perfectly legal. Hoge noted that complaints about election fraud often miss how laws are codified just how officials like them. She argued that almost none of the money Los Angeles takes in makes sense, pointing to homelessness funds that seem to increase the very problem they aim to solve.

Bass' campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Yet critics raged online about a program used for mayoral candidates since the nineteen nineties. Author Michael Shellenberger called the arrangement grotesque while Richard Grennell, a Trump administration official, found it outrageous. Former Reagan official David McIntosh asked incredulously if the current mayor is allowed to take city money at a six to one payout. Activist Tony Moon quipped that such innovation was totally legit and not communist at all.

The matching program has been in effect for qualified mayoral candidates since nineteen ninety. Over time, limits increased until the 2019 version took effect with its current six-to-one rate. Qualified candidates can choose to participate but must fill out a statement accepting matching funds according to city campaign rules. To qualify, a candidate must already raise three hundred times the maximum matchable amount per contributor, which stands at two hundred fifty-seven dollars. They also need one hundred donors giving five dollars or more who live in Los Angeles plus an opponent and hold at least one public town hall or debate. All matched donations must come from Angelenos only. The maximum allowable qualifying donation is two hundred fifty-seven dollars, which becomes one thousand seven hundred ninety-nine after the match. The total cap on matched donations for the general election sits just over 1.5 million dollars.