Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Warren Tolman is once again showing his dedication to making Clean Elections work in the State of Massachusetts. But it may not be the most effective way to help the push to keep the law on the books.

After losing in the Democratic primary, Tolman will return the money remaining in his campaign’s Clean Elections account, possibly more than $45,000, according to the Associated Press. Clean Elections candidates are required to return any privately raised funds exceeding $322,000 to the state. The Tolman campaign raised only $309,500 privately, so his money return is entirely voluntary, according to the Associated Press.

While Tolman’s sentiment in returning the money is good, he may not be doing the best thing to help the Clean Elections cause. Because the law is up for reconsideration in November’s general elections, Tolman should have looked extensively toward better options for spending the money in support of publicly financed campaigns. While the money may have no longer been useful to him as a candidate, he should have spent more time figuring out a way to use the money to help sway public opinion in favor of Clean Elections. He is clearly a strong proponent of the law.

As it is, his returned money will likely simply go back into the state’s general budget fund if the law is voted down in November. His selfless money return will unfortunately not be remembered long as a display of the virtue of Clean Elections candidates. His actions will not help Clean Elections’ case.

While a selfless display of his own commendable ethics, Tolman’s return of campaign funds should have been more thoroughly thought through. Tolman should have more extensively searched for ways to use the money in support of the future of Clean Elections in Massachusetts.