‘88 Presidential Primaries Ran Up Highest-Ever Costs of $250 Million

The 1988 presidential primaries that narrowed the field to a choice between George Bush and Michael S. Dukakis cost $250.3 million--about $66 million of which was paid by taxpayer funds, the Federal Election Commission reported Friday.

The primaries, by far the most expensive in history, involved a total of 16 candidates who reported receiving about $253 million.

GOP Spent More

Even though the GOP primary battle was won relatively early by Bush and had fewer candidates than the Democratic competition, the Republicans reported raising and spending more.

The six GOP contenders showed spending of $134.4 million and receipts of $135.6 million, and the nine Democrats reported spending of $113.7 million and receipts of $115.3 million. Independent candidate Lenora Fulani had spending and receipts of about $2.1 million.

Federal matching funds that were part of the candidates’ receipts totaled $65.6 million--$30 million for Democrats and $34.6 million for the GOP contenders, according to the report, which was the FEC’s final study of the 1988 primary contests.

Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson led the pack, even though for all practical purposes he was out of the Republican race early.

Robertson reported net receipts and expenses of $41 million, while Bush had $33.9 million in receipts and $33 million in expenses, and Dukakis reported $31.2 million in receipts and $30.8 million in disbursements.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who actively stayed in the Democratic race until the party’s convention, reported $26.6 million in receipts and $26 million in spending.