(a) The word “candidate” shall mean any individual who seeks nomination or election to public office, other than a judge of elections or inspector of elections, whether or not such individual is nominated or elected. For the purpose of this article, an individual shall be deemed to be seeking nomination or election to such office if he has:

(b) The word “contribution” shall mean any payment, gift, subscription, assessment, contract, payment for services, dues, loan, forbearance, advance or deposit of money or any valuable thing, to a candidate or political committee made for the purpose of influencing any election in this Commonwealth or for paying debts incurred by or for a candidate or committee before or after any election. “Contribution” shall also include the purchase of tickets for events such as dinners, luncheons, rallies and all other fund-raising events; the granting of discounts or rebates not available to the general public; or the granting of discounts or rebates by television and radio stations and newspapers not extended on an equal basis to all candidates for the same office; and any payments provided for the benefit of any candidate, including any payments for the services of any person serving as an agent of a candidate or committee by a person other than the candidate or committee or a person whose expenditures the candidate or committee must report under this act. The word “contribution” includes any receipt or use of anything of value received by a political committee from another political committee and also includes any return on investments by a political committee.

(c) The word “election” shall mean any retention, primary, special, municipal or general election at which candidates appear on the ballot for nomination or election or at which questions are to be voted on by the electors of this Commonwealth.

(d) The word “expenditure” shall mean:

(e) The words “independent expenditure” shall mean an expenditure by a person made for the purpose of influencing an election without cooperation or consultation with any candidate or any political committee authorized by that candidate and which is not made in concert with or at the request or suggestion of any candidate or political committee or agent thereof.

(f) The word “lobbyist” shall mean any person who is registered pursuant to the provisions of the act of September 30, 1961 (P.L. 1778, No. 712),¹ known as the “Lobbying Registration and Regulation Act.”

(g) The word “pledge” shall mean any written contract, promise or agreement to contribute personally money or anything of value.

(h) The words “political committee” shall mean any committee, club, association or other group of persons which receives contributions or makes expenditures.

(i) The words “prosecutorial officer” shall mean the attorney general of this Commonwealth or the district attorneys of the respective counties.

(j) The word “supervisor” shall mean the Secretary of the Commonwealth or the respective county boards of elections.

(k) The words “valuable thing” shall mean all securities, goods, facilities, equipment, supplies, personnel, advertising, services, membership lists commonly offered or used commercially or other in-kind contributions provided without compensation, or at compensation which is below the usual and normal compensation for the items. The dollar value of a contribution of a valuable thing is the difference between the usual and normal charge for goods or services at the time of the contribution and the amount charged the candidate or political committee.

Any of the categories hereinafter excluded from the definition of “valuable thing” shall not be deemed a contribution or expenditure for purposes of reporting or record keeping. The words “valuable thing” shall not include such de minimus items as the following:

(l) The words “Political Action Committee” shall mean any political committee as defined in subsection (h) which receives contributions and makes expenditures to, or on behalf of, any candidate other than a candidate's own authorized political committees or the political committees of any State, county, city, borough, township, ward or other regularly constituted party committee of any political party or political body.

(m) The words “Candidate's Political Committee” shall mean any political committee formed on behalf of a specified candidate and authorized by said candidate.