Voter Reactions to National Interest Group Involvement in Local School Board Elections

• In Event: 52.071 - Perceptions and Reactions: Political Responses to Education Policy

Abstract

Recent decades have witnessed a proliferation of nationally organized school reform interest groups like StudentsFirst. While historically active at the state and federal levels, these organizations are increasingly involving themselves in local school board elections by recruiting candidates, making donations, and offering policy advice. However, little is known about the electoral consequences of these activities. To address this gap, I provide the results of a quasi-experimental survey capturing how Michigan residents react to national interest group influence in school board elections. Results suggest that voters view candidates supported by national organizations less favorably than control candidates. These findings hold even when controlling for respondents’ views on the issues. However, differences emerge based on respondents’ views of who should govern education.

Author

• David Casalaspi, Michigan State University