Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing criticism after a campaign video, posted to her reelection campaign's X account, detailed how individual donations could be significantly amplified by city taxpayer funds. The video, featuring upbeat music, explains that "every qualified donation from Los Angeles residents is matched 6-to-1 by the city" through LA's super match program.
Bass stated in the ad that a $5 donation would effectively become $35, and a $25 contribution would total $175 due to the matching program. This explanation has drawn sharp reactions from those concerned about the use of public funds for campaign purposes.
Roxanne Hoge, chairwoman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County, criticized the program, calling it a system designed to "enrich themselves and their friends and get themselves elected." She likened it to a child setting rules to their advantage. Hoge also asserted that while not fraud, the system is "codified just the way they like it."
Critics online, including author Michael Shellenberger and former Trump administration official Richard Grenell, expressed outrage. Former Reagan official David McIntosh questioned the propriety of a mayor using city funds for their campaign at such a high match rate, while activist Tony Moon sarcastically commented on its "legit" and non-communist nature.
The super match program has been available to qualified mayoral candidates in Los Angeles since the 1990s. The current 6-to-1 match rate was established in 2019. To qualify for the program, candidates must meet several criteria, including raising a minimum amount from donors, having at least 100 donors residing in Los Angeles, and participating in public forums. The matching funds apply only to donations from Los Angeles residents, with a maximum allowable qualifying donation of $257, which can be matched up to $1,799. The total cap for matched donations in a general election is over $1.5 million.