Burton Ended Reporting Period With More Than $408,000

U.S. Rep. Dan Burton may not be running for re-election, but he has a sizeable amount of unspent campaign funds left over according to his year-end campaign finance report. Burton's campaign committee ended 2011 with over $408,000 in cash on hand after raising $135,000 during the fourth quarter and spending a little over $50,000. While Burton won't be a factor in the fifth congressional district race as a candidate this year, he could make a big difference if he chooses to endorse a candidate in the field to replace him and donate unspent campaign funds to that candidate and candidates elsewhere. Burton is prohibited by law from using the money for personal expenses. He can choose to give the money to the party, other candidates within the FEC limits for individual contributions (unless he converts his committee to a PAC) or his favorite charity.