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I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends: Leveraging Campaign Resources to Maximize Congressional Power

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  • Janet M. Box‐Steffensmeier
  • Benjamin W. Campbell
  • Andrew W. Podob
  • Seth J. Walker

Abstract

Central to the study of Congress is the study of relationships among members. Electoral collaboration is a function of a member's position in the broader congressional power network. It allows members to leverage their campaign resources to achieve the four classic goals of members of Congress: reelection, making good public policy, obtaining power within the institution, and having one's party in the majority. Using nearly 3.2 million FEC records from 2010 to 2016, we explore the dynamics that influence electoral collaboration. We find members are most likely to collaborate electorally with other members from the same state, party, and committee, and the most electorally vulnerable. Further, party leaders share most frequently with the rank and file. These findings build upon our expanding understanding of congressional collaboration, the networks members of Congress form, and the congressional power structure members operate within.

Suggested Citation

  • Janet M. Box‐Steffensmeier & Benjamin W. Campbell & Andrew W. Podob & Seth J. Walker, 2020. "I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends: Leveraging Campaign Resources to Maximize Congressional Power," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 64(4), pages 1017-1033, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:amposc:v:64:y:2020:i:4:p:1017-1033
    DOI: 10.1111/ajps.12528
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. James Rockey & Nadia Zakir, 2021. "Power and the money, money and the power: A network analysis of donations from American corporate to political leaders," Discussion Papers 21-03, Department of Economics, University of Birmingham.

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