The Incidence and Timing of PAC Contributions to Incumbent U.S. House Members, 1993-94

Abstract

In this article, we discuss how donor and recipient characteristics affected the incidence and timing of political action committee (PAC) contributions to incumbent members of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 1993‐94 election cycle. We contribute to the campaign finance literature by modeling the timing of contributions, which is important because timing affects the perception of political actors about the competitiveness of elections and the loci of power among members of Congress, interest groups, and between members of Congress and interest groups. Split‐population event history models allow us to compare and contrast determinants of whether and when contributions are made across various types and sizes of PACs.

Business Interests and the Party Coalitions

“…Meanwhile, sectors that have a presence across most parts of the country (e.g., real estate agencies, grocery stores) were less likely to show a geographic effect. Consistent with previous research (Box-Steffensmeier et al, 2005;Herndon, 1982;Jacobson, 1980), electoral competition had an undeniable influence. Most sectors stepped up their giving to incumbents facing tough races.…”

“…They donate to members of committees with jurisdiction over the policy issues of most concern (Bennett & Loucks, 2011;Rozell et al, 2012). They step up contributions to members facing difficult election campaigns (Box-Steffensmeier, Radcliffe, & Bartels, 2005;Herndon, 1982;Jacobson, 1980). Perhaps most importantly, economic interests donate to members who represent districts where they have firms and employees (Hojnacki & Kimball, 2001;Wright, 1985).…”

Power-Sharing and Leadership Dynamics in Authoritarian Regimes

“…about the effects of covariates on leader survival. Survival techniques that account for the possibility that a fraction of observations may not be subject to the relevant risk-such as cure rate or split-population models-have been applied in political science by Box-Steffensmeier, Radcliffe, and Bartels (2005) and Svolik (2008).…”

Authoritarian Reversals and Democratic Consolidation

“…4 In this literature, individuals that are not at risk of experiencing the event of interest are referred to as "cured," "immune," or "long-term survivors." In political science, I am only aware of the use of this technique in the study of campaign financing by Box-Steffensmeier, Radcliffe, and Bartels, (2005) and civil wars by Findley and Teo (2006). In political science, I am only aware of the use of this technique in the study of campaign financing by Box-Steffensmeier, Radcliffe, and Bartels, (2005) and civil wars by Findley and Teo (2006).…”