Getting to keep massive campaign chests?

[Javaman]

I was speaking to a new friend this past week and he told me something that gave me pause. (the kind of pause that induces night terrors)

If a long time senator or rep retires or gets beaten, what happens to their massive campaign chests?

He told me that the former candidate/congress person gets to keep that money.

Is this true?

[TexasProgresive]

1. YEP! n/t

[monmouth]

2. Christine O'Donnell won't have to run for office for..oh, at least a couple of years...n/t

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. No, it is not true

The money can be donated to other campaigns, PACs, party committees, or charitable organizations. But the candidate doesn't get to keep it.

[Javaman]

4. What happens to the money if they don't donate it? nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. It stays in the campaign account

[Javaman]

7. I also posted this in GD...

someone replied with this...

http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2010/03/the-retirement-announcement-la.html

[Bitwit1234]

5. Well someone said she is donating part of the money already

*********to her mother**********!!!!!!