Doug Burgum is offering $20 to people donating $1 to his campaign. Is that legal?

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is offering a $20 gift card to donors contributing at least $1 to his campaign, raising questions about the legality and ethics of this unconventional fundraising strategy.

The big picture: Burgum’s $20 gift card for $1 donation offer is aimed at meeting the threshold of 40,000 donors required for him to participate in next month’s Republican primary debate.
* The offer is limited to the first 50,000 donors.
* This strategy could cost Burgum up to $1 million, but it could also help his long-shot campaign gain recognition and secure a place in the upcoming debate.

The catch: Critics argue it might breach federal prohibitions on reimbursing people for campaign donations.
* Michael S. Kang, professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, suggested that this scheme may violate this prohibition.
* Patricia Crouse, a professor at University of New Haven, argued that while the tactic might not be illegal, it is ethically questionable.

Background: Doug Burgum, a billionaire due to his tech and investing career, is a political outsider who won the Governor’s race in North Dakota in 2016.
* Known for his willingness to fund his campaigns, he hopes to repeat his odds-defying performance at the national level.
* However, current polls show that Burgum is hovering just under the 1% mark, another threshold required for an invitation to the August debate.

The question: The legality and ethics of Burgum’s offer continues to be a point of contention.
* The Federal Election Commission, when contacted for a comment, declined to discuss this specific issue.
* As of yet, it is unclear whether this fundraising strategy will be challenged legally or by the Republican National Committee rules.

View original article on NPR

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