Cash-free candidates

-Source- McClatchy DC- At first glance one might think Cristina McNeil a scofflaw. Congressional candidates must file reports with the Federal Election Commission after their campaigns raise or spend $5000. McNeil who won the Democratic primary in Idahos 1stcongressional district on May 15 has filed no such reports. Her spending came in under the threshold so she didnt have to. This is the counterpoint to all the discussion of the skyrocketing cost of running for office: Improbably enough a handful of candidates have advanced to the general election while raising and spending relatively infinitesimal sums. As experts note victory in a primary does not guarantee the same after a general election campaign which almost always requires far more resources. But making it onto the November ballot in a federal race is a goal that most successful candidates spend far more trying to attain. The 2018 election cycle marks McNeils first bid for Congress. On such a slim budget she estimates that she raised and spent about $2000 her campaign thus far has relied on robocalls emails social media and Spanish-language radio to attract voters. With no paid staff volunteers are lifeblood. This is a peoples campaign if not a money-based campaign" says Nick Tinker McNeils campaign manager. Its so important to have the right message and the right candidate. Money can help but money doesnt get you there."