'Free' elections?

Only one candidate for the CNMI's Washington Delegate seat has reported any campaign contributions or expenditures, according to the Federal Election Commission. Washington Representative Pedro A. Tenorio reported receiving $31,498.

Strangely, John Oliver Gonzales, Juan T. Lizama and Gregorio "Kilili" Sablan aren't listed as candidates. Apparently there's a $5,000 threshold before reporting is required. That's one possibility, and my opinion is worth the phosphor it's printed on. The answer might be in the FEC Campaign Guide (PDF).

Felipe Q. Atalig, David M. Cing, Luis P. Crisostimo, John H. Davis, Jr. and Chong Man Won listed no receipts or disbursements.

From the FEC website: "Committees filing with the FEC generally submit reports on a quarterly or monthly schedule. Quarterly reports cover the calendar quarters and are due on April 15, July 15, October 15 and January 31. Monthly reports cover the calendar months and are typically due on the 20th day of the following month."

Again, I've just been skipping around the website, but candidates who are used to the Commonwealth's enforcement should note that there are fines and no extensions.

I went to the horse's, er, source because the information at OpenSecrets appeared to have little change from what I saw last month.

At both sites, Pedro A. Tenorio is the only candidate reporting contributions (and expenditures).

I've really been curious about this. Stay tuned.

In my last post I was too lazy to check, but it seems contributions over $200 must be reported.

Campaign Contributions 96950

Now that we've got a CNMI contest with federal election law applying, let's take a peek at OpenSecrets.org.

I've been looking forward to this, but it looks like only Pedro A. Tenorio supporters have gotten into the act with $3850. It's early in the game since none of the Washington Delegate candidates were officially certified until two weeks ago. It will be fun to watch anyway.

It's interesting to note in passing that Governor Benigno R. Fitial popped for $1,000 to the Republican National Committee a year ago; I wonder if he's having second thoughts.

More incongruous: an April $1,000 donation to House Democrat George Miller from Saipan Tribune Publisher Lynn Knight.

It seems contributions from this zip code reached their peak in the wild 'n wooly Abramoff days. In this cycle, Sen. John McCain appears to be leading Sen. Barack Obama in Presidential contributions that are over the reporting threshold-- I'm lazy today; I'll have to get back to you on what that is.

I'm supposed to give credit to the Center for Responsive Politics; here you go and I'll do it again soon.