In the Shadow of the Tillman Act: A Survey of Direct Corporation-to-Candidate Contributions in State Governments

Abstract

Although the federal government has banned contributions from corporations to candidates since 1907, this prohibition does not apply to state-level elections. Twenty-nine states allow for direct corporation-to-candidate contributions in their elections, including six states that impose no limitations on these contributions. This paper compares these states on the basis of input factors that may have led to these different policies on corporate contributions, as well as comparing them on the basis of various factors that may result from maintaining such policies. The paper concludes by considering future campaign finance policy in light of these comparisons.