Running a political campaign is exhausting. Running one on a shoestring budget is downright painful.

Nearly everything politicians need to run a campaign costs money.

Signs cost money.

Bumper stickers cost money.

Buttons, T-shirts and door hangers cost money, too.

And don’t forget the political advertising, that’s where the big bucks get spent.

Every where you looks it’s money in and money out.

About the only thing that’s free for candidates requires a little shoe leather — hitting the neighborhoods to knock on doors, shake hands with voters and kiss any baby in sight.

State campaign finance laws require candidates to report contributions for the sake of tracking.

But for decades a well-known, but rarely proven practice goes on which circumvents both campaign finance laws and the spirit of doing what’s right.

Vote buying is how some people refer to the practice, but it’s really less vote buying than influence buying.

A candidate — or more often one of his supporters — funnels some money to an influential person or group. Nothing is said, necessarily, but it’s understood that the “gift” is in exchange for support.

While it may be illegal to buy a vote, buying influence is relatively easy and difficult to prove.

The line between a simple gift and one aimed at gaining something in return can look much the same from a slight distance.

Only the heart of the giver and recipient can truly reveal the intent.

Political campaigns certainly contribute to the local economy; we just hope it was only in legal, moral means.

If you hear of something that seems like an attempt to buy influence over a group of voters, report it to the authorities. The value of doing the right thing is priceless.