Why Politicians Have Campaign Committees They May Never Use

By Mason Herron, the Voice of San Diego

October 11, 2024

A war chest is a war chest, right? Not exactly.

Many California politicians keep campaign finance committees open for offices they aren’t currently seeking or may never seek. These committees allow them to raise money, build connections, and strengthen their influence beyond their current offices. But how exactly does this strategy work, and why do so many lawmakers rely on it?

State Senator Brian Jones, for example, represents a district covering parts of San Diego County. He’s termed out of the State Legislature, meaning he can’t run for either the State Senate or Assembly again. Yet, he has a committee open for Lieutenant Governor: “Brian Jones for Lt. Governor 2026,” into which he has raised about $480,000.

Similarly, Assemblymember Brian Maienschein, who is also termed out, has a committee for Attorney General, “Brian Maienschein for Attorney General 2030,” despite actively running for San Diego City Attorney right now. His committee has raised around $290,000.

Are they really setting their sights on those specific higher offices? It’s possible, but unlikely. As a Republican in a deep-blue state, Jones knows that winning a statewide office is an uphill battle. And if you’re going to take a longshot, why aim for the relatively powerless position of Lieutenant Governor instead of something with more authority, like U.S. Senate or Governor?

Maienschein’s focus, meanwhile, appears to be on local politics, and running for City Attorney wouldn’t typically be part of a direct path to Attorney General.

So why open these committees? The answer lies in both practical necessity and strategic advantage.

As sitting legislators, both Jones and Maienschein are still actively voting on important issues that affect a range of industries and interest groups. Brian Jones, as Senate Minority Leader, also holds influence over how his caucus votes, giving him additional leverage and boosting his fundraising potential. Interest groups want to ensure they have access and influence as key decisions are being made. One way to stay connected is through campaign contributions.

By keeping these committees open—even for offices they may never intend to run for—Jones and Maienschein ensure that contributions continue to come in from those with interests in legislative decisions. This benefits both sides: contributors maintain access to lawmakers while votes are still being cast, and the legislators are able to secure funds that would be much harder to raise once they leave office and no longer hold direct influence over key decisions.

Having a committee with substantial funds keeps options open for the future.

They could eventually run for the office associated with the committee, but they don’t have to.

If they choose not to run, the money can be transferred to other candidates or political action committees (PACs), allowing them to support causes or politicians they want to align with. This enables them to build alliances, strengthen political influence, and position themselves for other potential roles down the line. However, while they can transfer funds to another statewide race, they generally don’t move money directly to congressional or local campaigns, because it can be cumbersome and different finance rules and restrictions often prohibit them from doing so.

Likewise, if they decide to run for a different office, they might be able to transfer some or all of the money to a different campaign committee for themselves — but it can be difficult. If the new office has stricter donation limits, that would limit the amount of money that could be transferred.

That’s what happened with former San Diego City Councilmember Carl DeMaio recently. He had opened a campaign finance committee for a spot on the Central Committee of the San Diego County Republican Party, a race which did not have contribution limits. When he decided to run for State Assembly in 2023, he transferred some of the funds to his new campaign finance account, but he couldn’t transfer them all, because stricter rules applied.

There’s also added financial upside: statewide committees can raise more per donor. While Assembly and Senate campaigns are capped at $5,500 per donor, candidates for Lieutenant Governor or Attorney General can collect up to $9,100. This gives them more room to build up funds, even if they don’t end up running for that specific office.

Another common approach is for elected officials to open a ballot measure committee. This allows them to raise unlimited funds, provided the money is used to support or oppose the measure the committee is tied to.

These committees can serve both to advance a policy agenda and to lay the groundwork for a future run for statewide office.

A recent example is Toni Atkins and her 2022 committee for Proposition 1, the constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights. On the one hand, the committee was focused on an issue Atkins genuinely believed in.

On the other, it helped her prepare for a future campaign, allowing her to raise money, travel the state, and gain media attention—key steps for any politician considering a statewide bid, as Atkins is now doing. In the 2021-2022 cycle leading up to Proposition 1, Atkins’ committee raised over $12.7 million in monetary contributions.

When running for statewide office, raising money without established donor relationships is tough, especially for lesser-known politicians. Donors need time to build trust before committing large sums. A ballot measure committee helps politicians speed up that process. It gives donors a way to contribute to a cause they believe in, which can feel like a safer, less personal commitment than directly backing a candidate they don’t yet know well.

In Atkins’ case, the committee gave her a head start in her run for higher office. She built relationships with new donors while gaining visibility and building a statewide network—all critical assets for someone preparing for a larger political role.

Ultimately, the committees discussed throughout this article—whether for future offices or ballot measures—allow politicians to stay politically active and relevant, even when they’re nearing the end of their terms. Whether they’re planning a future campaign or simply keeping their options open, maintaining these committees gives them the flexibility to influence decisions, raise funds, and ensure they remain key players in the political landscape.

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