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Strategy and Background in Congressional Campaigns

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  • Sellers, Patrick J.

Abstract

Common conceptions of the electoral connection often make two assumptions about the behavior of candidates and voters. The first is that candidates focus their campaigns on their records. The second is that voters evaluate candidates on the basis of their campaign messages. This article explores how candidates' backgrounds influence these two components of representation. The main premise is simple: Campaign messages are more effective if they emphasize issues on which candidates have built a record that appears favorable to voters. Consequently, candidates tend to focus on this type of issue when choosing campaign themes. Candidates are less successful in winning favorable evaluations if they stray from their records and make unsubstantiated claims.

Suggested Citation

  • Sellers, Patrick J., 1998. "Strategy and Background in Congressional Campaigns," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 92(1), pages 159-171, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:92:y:1998:i:01:p:159-171_20
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    Cited by:

    1. Benjamin Bishin & Jay Dow & James Adams, 2006. "Does democracy “suffer” from diversity? Issue representation and diversity in senate elections," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 129(1), pages 201-215, October.
    2. Patrick Hummel, 2013. "Resource allocation when different candidates are stronger on different issues," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 25(1), pages 128-149, January.
    3. Sourav Bhattacharya, 2016. "Campaign rhetoric and the hide-and-seek game," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 47(3), pages 697-727, October.

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