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THE STRUCTURE OF ELECTORAL SUCCESS: DETERMINING VICTORY OR DEFEAT FROM CONTRIBUTION DISPERSION IN STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES

Allen, Kristen (2013) THE STRUCTURE OF ELECTORAL SUCCESS: DETERMINING VICTORY OR DEFEAT FROM CONTRIBUTION DISPERSION IN STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

How does the distribution of contributors to a candidate relate to a candidate’s potential for electoral success? Rather than assume that electoral politics in the United States is a plutocratic exercise, I argue that diversity, or dispersion, in a donor pool is just as valuable to candidate as being well-financed. The candidates who are able to achieve diverse contributor pools are just as likely to win as those with fewer, large donors, due to their increased representational potential. Democratic governance, then, can be supported by candidates with broad sets of contributors; these candidates should be just as likely to win their elections because of the heterogeneity of their contributor bases as the candidates who are funded by a few, wealthy citizens. Hypotheses are tested using a unique data set of 2010 state legislative election contributions and results. Two aspects of dispersion theory, including the geographic spread of contributors across a candidate’s district and early giving, are found to significantly increase candidate vote shares.

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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Allen, Kristenkrc37@pitt.eduKRC37
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairVictor, Jenniferjenvictor@gmail.com
Committee CoChairKanthak, Kristinkanthak@pitt.eduKANTHAK
Committee MemberHurwitz, Jonhurwitz@pitt.eduHURWITZ
Committee MemberVesterlund, Lisevester@pitt.eduVESTER
Committee MemberMasket, Sethmasket@du.edu
Date: 17 October 2013
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 26 April 2013
Approval Date: 17 October 2013
Submission Date: 30 May 2013
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 166
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Political Science
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Elections, campaign contributions, state legislative elections, contributor dispersion
Date Deposited: 17 Oct 2013 19:48
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 14:12
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/18830

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