Political candidates in Arizona will soon be able to take even more money from donors.

Prior to 2014 legislative candidates could take no more than $440 from any one source, with statewide contenders limited to $912. Last year lawmakers boosted the cap to $4,000 for both. The new law signed Monday by Gov. Doug Ducey provides for $5,000 donations.

Ducey spokesman Daniel Scarpinato defended the increase.

"This is an issue of free speech that ensures people have a voice in the process. But it still provides what are some very reasonable limitations on contributions," Scarpinato said.

Legislative opponents, mostly Democrats, said that argument rings hollow, as few of their constituents have the wherewithal to write out $5,000 checks.

Scarpinato disagrees.

"What I know is there's a lot of people who choose to have a voice in the process, to contribute to a candidate. Some give small donations. In fact, it's small donations that drive a lot of candidacies," Scarpinato said.

And Scarpinato said none of that is any less true, even if some donors can afford to give $5,000 to each candidate they support.