Author Archives: Jon

Follow the Money is a feature by Jon Reznick, recurring every few weeks, that takes a closer look at campaign finance using public data. The views presented herein are solely those of the author, and it’s about to get real in here. People wrongly assume that my interest in campaign finance and in encouraging dramatic reform of the campaign finance system makes me a natural ally of the Fair Elections for New York campaign. This is not the case. Let me start out by saying flat out and without reservation that I do not think encouraging small donors is actually any better than encouraging big ones. My view, which I am testing with exploratory statistics, is that encouraging donor-ship at … More >>

Follow the Money is a feature recurring every few weeks that takes a closer look at campaign finance using public data.  For chart breakdowns and more detailed info on candidates, see Jon’s Tumblr. “Of course, the day may come when we’ll reject the money of the rich as tainted, but it hadn’t come when I left Tammany Hall at 11:25 A.M. today.” – George Washington Plunkitt When a candidate runs for public office in the City of New York, he or she is entitled to receive public matching funds, administered by the New York City Campaign Finance Board. The idea is simple, to encourage “small donors,” any contribution from an individual, up to $175, is matched six times over by … More >>