How do I install the openfec mcp server?

Use a recorded configuration for your client, replace example credential values and paths, and verify the documented runtime. Restart or reconnect the client, then inspect the available tools.

What credentials does it need?

It reads `MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE`, `FEC_API_KEY`, `DEMO_KEY`, `FEC_BASE_URL`, `MCP_HTTP_HOST` from the environment. Store these in your client's env block or a secrets manager — never commit them to a repository — and grant the narrowest scope that still covers your use case.

SSyncDev

Start a project

Openfec MCP Server

Access FEC campaign finance data. Query data about candidates, money trails, and election filings.

Remote serverstreamable-http

What is the Openfec MCP Server?

Access FEC campaign finance data. Query data about candidates, money trails, and election filings.

The short version

Declarative tool definitions — single file per tool, framework handles registration and validation
Unified error handling across all tools
Pluggable auth (none, jwt, oauth)
Swappable storage backends: in-memory, filesystem, Supabase, Cloudflare KV/R2/D1
Structured logging with optional OpenTelemetry tracing
Runs locally (stdio/HTTP) or via Docker from the same codebase

What it needs from you

Bun v1.3.0 or higher (or Node ≥24) - (Optional) A free OpenFEC API key for higher rate limits (1,000 req/hr vs 30 req/hr with the default DEMO_KEY)

More MCP options

Compare MCP servers by category, or browse hosted MCP servers if you prefer an endpoint over a local process.

Maintainer setup documentation.

Recorded tools

Check the linked publisher documentation and your connected client's tool list. Names and availability can vary with the server version and account permissions.

Tool	What it does
openfec_search_candidates	Find federal candidates by name, state, office, party, or cycle.
openfec_search_committees	Find political committees by name, type, candidate affiliation, or state.
openfec_get_committee_totals	Get pre-aggregated committee financial totals for one committee, or rank committees of one entity type.
openfec_search_contributions	Search itemized individual contributions or aggregate breakdowns by size, state, employer, or occupation.
openfec_search_disbursements	Search itemized committee spending or aggregate breakdowns by purpose or recipient.
openfec_search_expenditures	Search independent expenditures supporting or opposing federal candidates.
openfec_search_coordinated_expenditures	Search coordinated party expenditures (Schedule F) made on behalf of a candidate.
openfec_search_filings	Search FEC filings and reports by committee, candidate, form type, or date range.
openfec_lookup_elections	Look up election races and candidate financial summaries.
openfec_search_legal	Search FEC legal documents: advisory opinions, enforcement cases, and administrative fines.
openfec_get_legal_document	Fetch one legal document in full, including the arrays legal search trims away.
openfec_lookup_calendar	Look up FEC calendar events, filing deadlines, and election dates.

How to install the Openfec MCP Server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "openfec-mcp-server": {
      "type": "streamable-http",
      "url": "https://openfec.caseyjhand.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Configuration

Bun v1.3.0 or higher (or Node ≥24) - (Optional) A free OpenFEC API key for higher rate limits (1,000 req/hr vs 30 req/hr with the default DEMO_KEY)

Variable	Description	Required
MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE	Configuration value read at startup.	Optional
FEC_API_KEY	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes
DEMO_KEY	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes
FEC_BASE_URL	Endpoint or connection string the server talks to.	Yes
MCP_HTTP_HOST	Endpoint or connection string the server talks to.	Optional

Example prompts to try

“Use Openfec to openfec search candidates.”
“Use Openfec to openfec search committees.”
“Use Openfec to openfec get committee totals.”

Frequently asked questions

Access FEC campaign finance data. Query data about candidates, money trails, and election filings. Confirm the tools offered by your installed version in the connected client. Tool availability and permissions depend on the server and account configuration.