Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Does Money Matter? An Empirical Analysis On The Effects Of Campaign Financing In Recent Senatorial Elections, Joseph Cunningham

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This empirical analysis quantifies political science variables and tests to see if the sources of campaign finance money matters and ultimately determines the most important factors affecting a candidate’s chances of becoming elected. Using data from the 2004 and 2010 Senate elections, this paper tests the importance of a number of political science variables including party affiliation, sources of campaign financing, and incumbency, among others. The effects of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision and its democratic implications are also analyzed to see if money in politics weakens America’s democratic process. There are few studies in the field that are …