Contact: John St. Croix, (415) 252-3100
For release: June 23, 2015
On June 23, 2015, the Ethics Commission certified Aaron Peskin and Julie Christensen, candidates for the Board of Supervisor, District 3, as eligible to receive public funds from the San Francisco Election Campaign Fund. Based on the declaration and supporting documentation that Mr. Peskin submitted, the Commission determined that Mr. Peskin received qualifying contributions totaling $10,000 from at least 100 residents of the City, thus making him eligible to receive public funds. Mr. Peskin will receive an initial public grant of $20,000. Additionally, based on the declaration and supporting documentation that Supervisor Christensen submitted, the Commission determined that Supervisor Christensen received qualifying contributions totaling $15,000 from at least 150 residents of the City, thus making her eligible to receive public funds (qualification thresholds for incumbents are higher). Supervisor Christensen will receive an initial public grant of $20,000.
Candidates who seek public funds must agree to abide by an individual expenditure ceiling, which begins at $250,000 for Board of Supervisors races. Candidates who are certified by the Ethics Commission to receive public funds may receive up to $155,000 (non-incumbent candidates) or $152,500 (incumbent candidates), depending upon the amount of matching contributions they raise from San Francisco residents.
A chart reflecting the candidates who have been certified as eligible to receive public funds and the total disbursements to date is posted on the Ethics Commission’s website at the following link: https://www.sfethics.org/ethics/2015/06/campaign-finance-public-funds-disbursements-november-3-2015-election.html.
The certification of a candidate as eligible to receive public funds in District 3 triggers reporting requirements under section 1.152(a) of the Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance (S.F. Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code § 1.100 et seq.). Under section 1.152(a)(2), each candidate for the Board of Supervisors in District 3 must file a Threshold Form with the Ethics Commission within 24 hours of receiving contributions or making expenditures that equal or exceed $100,000. Thereafter, the candidate must file an additional supplemental statement within 24 hours of every time the candidate receives additional contributions, or makes additional expenditures that in aggregate equal to or exceed $10,000.
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The Ethics Commission, established in November 1993, serves the public, City employees and officials and candidates for public office through education and enforcement of ethics laws. Its duties include: filing and auditing of campaign finance disclosure statements, lobbyist and campaign consultant registration and regulation, administration of the public financing program, conflict of interests reporting, investigations and enforcement, education and training, advice giving and statistical reporting.