Here is a timeline i found in a google search, when i asked money in politics.
https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/...ey-in-politics
Candidates eschew public funding these days because it limits them so much financially.
And like they showed when pols have to fundraise. Easier to get a bunch of money fast if you just call the top couple donors. Takes a lot more work to call all the little folks. But then those rich ones, well they want aomething in return.