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What happens to leftover funds from campaign donations?
Alicia Farrant, who unsuccessfully ran for Orange County's School Board, donated $19,000 in unused campaign donations to a nonprofit she owns with her husband. She said the money will be used to help open an orphanage in Latin America. Is it legal? Ethical? FOX 35's Marie Edinger talks with experts about it.
ORLANDO, Fla. - An unsuccessful candidate for Orange County school board chair has directed her remaining campaign money to the Christian charity she and her husband operate.
Orange County school board chair campaign funds
What they're saying:
After losing her race, Alicia Farrant wrapped up her school board chair campaign with $19,000 left over in her bank account, according to financial records reviewed by FOX 35 Investigative Reporter Marie Edinger.
Orange County School Board Member Alicia Farrant, District 3
Rather than returning the funds to donors, her political party, or the school district, she gave the money to Impact Nations, a Christian charity run by her and her husband, Jonathan Farrant.
University of Central Florida Political Science Professor Aubrey Jewett said candidates have several standard options for surplus funds.
"A fairly popular choice among many candidates is to donate the money to charity or various charities," Jewett said. However, he noted, "It's not as common to donate that money to a charity that you yourself started and are an officer of and helped to run."
Is it legal?
Why you should care:
State rules prohibit political candidates from being paid employees of any nonprofit receiving their leftover campaign funds. Tax records show Alicia Farrant has never reported receiving an income from Impact Nations, though her husband, Jonathan Farrant, has drawn a salary as president, receiving $33,000 in 2024, $42,000 in 2023, and $56,000 in 2022.
Jewett cautioned that household finances can blend even if only one spouse takes a paycheck.
"Whether it's coming in from my paycheck or my spouse's paycheck is still maybe you know, potentially going to help the household budgets," Jewett said. "So again, I think it perhaps doesn't look great to give the money to your own charity, even if you're going to be using it for a cause that the vast majority of Floridians would think is a good cause."
What Farrant says
The other side:
Alicia Farrant defended the decision in a statement to FOX 35.
"My supporters have been excited to hear that these funds will be going to help launch an orphanage that we've been working to open," she said. "The funds are designated specifically for the orphanage and will be used to help us prepare and welcome children who are needing a home, safety, and love."
Impact Nations operates an orphanage and a men's addiction recovery facility in El Salvador, alongside a wig donation program for children fighting cancer in Latin America.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from campaign finance records and nonprofit tax documents, as well as analysis from UCF Political Science Professor Aubrey Jewett and a statement provided by Alicia Farrant.