How much of ones own money can a candidate spend during a campaign?

Is there any limit to what someone can spend using their own money during a campaign? I am ignorant on this subject. Does anyone know the answer? Thanks in advance for any informed answers.

Don

you can spend every dime of your own money if you want.

but lucky for his wife-
I think that there are limits on "spousal support".

I just remember reading that Kerry probably wouldn't legally be able to tap her fortune if he ran.

They do have to notify their opponents if they intend to go over a certain threshold (for Congress it's $350,000); at that point, their opponents can collect more money than the standard $2,000 from individuals and $5,000 from PACs. (This is called the "Millionaire's Amendment," to allow less wealthy challengers to play catch-up.)

Spouses, no matter how wealthy, only can give $2,000 per election cycle. Thus, a candidate can only contribute their half of assets jointly owned with a spouse (or anyone else). That means that John Kerry can't tap Theresa Heinz Kerry's money; he only can spend (or borrow against) half of their joint bank accounts, real estate, etc. (This does keep people from bankrupting their spouses during an election.) Theresa Heinz Kerry can only spend $2,000, unless she makes independent expenditures (these aren't campaign contributions -- these have to be done without the input of the candidate committee).

(I have a big, orange book of FEC rules on my desk right now.)