Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-sxzjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-18T16:57:49.167Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Political Geography of Campaign Finance: Contributions to 2008 Republican Presidential Candidates

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2012

Karen Sebold ,
Scott Limbocker ,
Andrew Dowdle  and
Patrick Stewart
Karen Sebold
Affiliation:
University of Arkansas
Scott Limbocker
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University
Andrew Dowdle
Affiliation:
University of Arkansas
Patrick Stewart
Affiliation:
University of Arkansas
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

In fundraising, potential candidates who do not collect sizable amounts of “early money” may be effectively eliminated even before the start of the Iowa Caucus. This winnowing raises concern about the impact money has on narrowing the field of candidates from whom voters can choose. To better grasp patterns of successful fundraising, we explore where candidates obtain funds during the preprimary and primary periods. We use individual contributions data from the Federal Election Commission during the preprimary and primary periods of the 2008 Republican presidential nomination contest. Findings suggest that although California, New York, and Texas provide disproportionate amounts of early financing, the ability of presidential aspirants to broaden their support is indicative of campaign success.

Type
Features
Information
PS: Political Science & Politics , Volume 45 , Issue 4 , October 2012 , pp. 688 - 693
Copyright
Copyright © American Political Science Association 2012 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Adkins, Randall E., and Dowdle, Andrew J.. 2002. “The Money Primary: What Influences the Outcome of Pre-Primary Presidential Nomination Fundraising?” Presidential Studies Quarterly 32 (2): 256–75.Google Scholar
Adkins, Randall E., and Dowdle, Andrew J.. 2004. “Bumps in the Road to the White House: How Influential Were Campaign Resources to Nominating George W. Bush?” Journal of Political Marketing 3 (4): 1–27.Google Scholar
Agnew, John A. 1987. Place and Politics: The Geographical Mediation of State and Society. London: Allen and Unwin.Google Scholar
Berry, Christopher R., Burden, Barry C., and Howell, William G.. 2010. “The President and the Distribution of Federal Spending.” American Political Science Review 104 (4): 783–99.Google Scholar
Brown, Clifford W., Powell, Lynda W., and Wilcox, Clyde. 1995. Serious Money: Fundraising and Contributing in Presidential Nomination Campaigns. New York: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Busch, Andrew E., and Mayer, William G.. 2003. The Front-Loading Problem in Presidential Nominations. Washington, DC: Brookings.Google Scholar
Center for Responsive Politics. 2008. Overview-Stats at a Glance. OpenSecrets.org. Retrieved on April 26, 2009 at http://www.opensecrets.org/overview/index.php.Google Scholar
Federal Election Commission. 2011. “Number of Federal PACs Increases,” viewed on February 15, 2011 at www.fec.gov/press/press2009/20090309PACcount.shtmlGoogle Scholar
Gimpel, James G., Lee, Frances E., and Kaminski, Joshua. 2006. “The Political Geography of Campaign Contributions in American Politics.” Journal of Politics 68 (3): 626–39.Google Scholar
Gimpel, James G., Lee, Frances E., and Pearson-Merkowitz, Shanna. 2008. “The Check Is in the Mail: Interdistrict Funding Flows in Congressional Elections.” American Journal of Political Science 52 (2): 373–94.Google Scholar
Hinckley, Katherine A., and Green, John C.. 1996. “Fund-Raising in Presidential Nomination Campaigns: The Primary Lessons of 1988.” Political Research Quarterly 49 (4): 693.Google Scholar
Johnston, R. J. 1991. A Question of Place: Exploring the Practice o fHuman Geography. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell.Google Scholar
Mayer, William G. 1996. The Divided Democrats: Ideological Unity,Party reform, and Presidential Elections. Boulder, CO: Westview.Google Scholar
Real Clear Politics. 2012. 2008 Presidential Primary Election Website. Obtained on May 31, 2012 at http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/gop_results.html.Google Scholar
Taylor, Andrew J. 2010. “Does Presidential Primary and Caucus Order Affect Policy? Evidence from Federal Procurement Spending.” Political Research Quarterly 63 (2): 398–409.Google Scholar