Buddy Roemer first presidential candidate eligible for federal matching funds

The Federal Election Commission has qualified its first 2012 presidential candidate for receiving matching federal funds: Buddy Roemer.

Roemer is a long shot for the GOP nomination. He has not participated in any of the Republican debates so far and has said he would consider a third-party bid through the Americans Elect campaign.

He is the only presidential candidate to be declared eligible so far for primary matching funds.

To be considered for federal matching funds a candidate must raise at least $100,000 “by collecting $5,000 in 20 different states in amounts no greater than $250 from any individual,” according to a release from the FEC.

The candidate must also agreed “to an overall spending limit,” keep “financial records” and “permi[t] an extensive campaign audit.” A candidate can receive up to $22.8 million, according to the commission.

“Based on Roemer’s initial threshold submission, the Commission will request that the United States Treasury make an initial payment of $100,000 to Roemer’s campaign,” the release states.

Several candidates have chosen not to participate in the federal matching funds program because of the limits it places on spending. In 2008, rivals Barack Obama and John McCain both chose not to participate.

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