The length of the campaign season matters more than the pay. People aren't paid while campaigning, and the US campaign "season" has grown to ridiculous length.

The length of the campaign season matters more than the pay. People aren't paid while campaigning, and the US campaign "season" has grown to ridiculous length. It's not realistic to work some other job while doing it anymore (unless that job is being a member of congress), so it has become quite expensive.