When an candidate decides to no longer run for office either drops out or isn't running for the next term, does he/she get to keep the money raised on their behalf? If not, what happens to it? Thank you.

Federal funds must be returned to Tresury . Private funds they are free to create a "war chest"for future campaigns;or they can give their funds to another candidate, give it to the political party, or they can give it to charity;or to pay off any debts incured from the previous campaign . They may not spend it on themselves.

Kerry got a lot of flack from Democrats who complained that he did not share funds with other candidates ,and many close local elections could've gone the other way if he had. He ended up with a huge unused war-chest after the election. He had more than $15 million unspent contributions in accounts from the Democratic primaries alone.