(A) Within an election cycle, no candidate or anyone acting on his behalf may solicit or accept:

1. (1) a contribution which exceeds:

   1. (a) three thousand five hundred dollars in the case of a candidate for statewide office; or
   2. (b) one thousand dollars in the case of a candidate for any other office;
2. (2) a cash contribution from an individual unless the cash contribution does not exceed twenty-five dollars and is accompanied by a record of the amount of the contribution and the name and address of the contributor;
3. (3) a contribution from a registered lobbyist if that lobbyist engages in lobbying the public office or public body for which the candidate is seeking election;
4. (4) contributions for two elective offices simultaneously, except as provided in Section 8-13-1318.

(B) The restrictions on contributions in subsections (A)(1) and (A)(2) do not apply to a candidate making a contribution to his own campaign.

ETHICS COMMISSION OPINIONS

Lobbyist is not prohibited from contributing to political party, provided there is no directed contribution. Thus, lobbyist is not prohibited from making contribution to political party when contribution is not solicited by or in behalf of state legislator, state-wide constitutional officer, or official of state agency that promulgates regulations. Op S. C. St Ethics Comm., SEC AO92-013, Dec 18, 1991.

Within election cycle, no candidate or anyone acting on his behalf may solicit or accept from "person", as defined in Section 8-13-1300(24), contribution which exceeds $3,500 in case of candidate for statewide office or $1000 in case of candidate for any other office. Moreover, one contribution limit shall apply to individual as well as all proprietorships that are owned by that individual and whose contributions are directed by that individual. Op. S.C. St. Ethics Comm., SEC AO94-020, April 20, 1994.