Detroit News: U.S. House hopeful Tlaib pays self salary from campaign funds

Washington — U.S. House hopeful Rashida Tlaib has paid herself a $4,000-a-month salary from campaign funds, which is legal under federal rules and common, experts say. …

Paul S. Ryan, vice president for policy and litigation at the watchdog group Common Cause, said it’s “not uncommon” for candidates to pay themselves a salary, but that reporters often call him to ask if it’s legal.

Ryan said it’s a “good thing” to allow candidates to pay themselves a salary as a matter of public policy.

“Without allowing candidates to pay themselves, the only people who could afford to run for public office would be independently wealthy individuals who can afford to take a year off from making a living in order to run,” Ryan said.

“I don’t think that’s how democracy should work. All sorts of people should be able to run for office.”

The FEC ruled earlier this year that federal candidates may use campaign funds to pay for child care costs that directly resulted from time spent campaigning for office, Ryan noted.