Self-financed candidate for Philly DA triggers higher campaign contribution limits

The race for Philadelphia District Attorney is getting more expensive.  

As of December 30th, Michael Untermeyer, a candidate for District Attorney gave $250,000 of his own money to his campaign, triggering higher contribution limits for his opponents. They will be doubled as called for in Philadelphia’s campaign finance laws.

An alert from the city’s ethics board says now individuals can contribute up to $6,000 to the candidates for DA.  Political Committees or unincorporated business organizations can give up to $23,800.  

The limits will remain in place even if Untermeyer ends his candidacy or his campaign pays him back for his contribution.

The higher contribution limits were added to the city’s campaign finance laws to make it harder for people to spend so much of their own money that they simply outspend traditional candidates.  If he keeps spending more of his money, the contribution limits will not go up again.  

Even while incumbent Seth Williams is running for another term, he has a lot of company in the Democratic primary.  In addition to Untermeyer, former Philadelphia Managing Director Rich Negrin, former Assistant District Attorney Joe Khan, and Municipal Court Judge Teresa Carr Deni are challenging against Williams.  On the Republican side, former Assistant D.A. Beth Grossman is running.