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Experimental Evidence on the Relationship Between Candidate Funding Sources and Voter Evaluations

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  • Dowling, Conor M.
  • Miller, Michael G.

Abstract

Money comes from a variety of sources in American elections. It is unclear however whether voters’ knowledge about a candidate's funding portfolio influences how that candidate is evaluated. We present the results of two survey experiments in which we randomly assigned the composition of donors from various categories to a hypothetical candidate. We find that on average a candidate described as having received a majority of his contributions from individuals is evaluated more highly than one who received a majority of his contributions from interest groups. We also find that when it comes to self-financing a campaign, using private sector money is more beneficial to candidates than using inherited money, but only when the candidate is a member of the same party as the voter. Our results have implications for campaign strategy, academic debates concerning the effect of money on elections, and policy debates concerning the effects of increased campaign finance disclosure.

Suggested Citation

  • Dowling, Conor M. & Miller, Michael G., 2016. "Experimental Evidence on the Relationship Between Candidate Funding Sources and Voter Evaluations," Journal of Experimental Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 3(2), pages 152-163, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jexpos:v:3:y:2016:i:02:p:152-163_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Schnakenberg, Keith & Turner, Ian R, 2023. "Dark Money and Politician Learning," SocArXiv 3bzex, Center for Open Science.
    2. Schnakenberg, Keith & Schumock, Collin & Turner, Ian R, 2023. "Dark Money and Voter Learning," SocArXiv r562d, Center for Open Science.
    3. Gaddis, S. Michael, 2023. "Signaling Class: An Examination of the Treatment Validity of Names Used to Signal Race in Bias Experiments with Methodological Recommendations for Name Selection," SocArXiv cdgju, Center for Open Science.

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