Generosity for political campaigns can extend beyond the grave, as Tal Kopan of Politico learned. Dead people donated nearly $600,000 to federal candidates and political parties since Jan. 1, 2009.
A report in USA Today lists 32 deceased contributors to both congressional and presidential candidates, taken from Federal Election Commission reports.
The Democratic National Committee was tops in funds collected from deceased donors, with more than $245,000.
One of the more prominent recent donations from the afterlife was for the high-profile re-election of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The Super PAC Kentuckians for Strong Leadership gave $100,000 on June 3 from GOP supporter Bob Perry, who died April 13.
The PAC blamed a computer software glitch for adding the wrong date. The correct date — the day prior to Perry’s death — was inserted immediately.
There are federal restrictions for posthumous donations. Amounts must be consistent with contribution limits; individuals cannot give more than $5,200 to federal candidates in an election cycle and no more than $32,400 each year to political parties.
