Who Donates to Congressional Campaigns, Parties, and PACs?

• In Event: Campaign Finance

Abstract

Since the last major study of congressional donors (in the 1996 election), there have been three major changes to the campaign finance system: increased contribution limits (in 2002); the rise of Super PACs (starting in 2010); and the Internet, which has provided candidates and donors with additional ways to interact and make contributions.

Using two cross-sectional surveys of congressional, party, and political action committee donors in 2008 and 2012, and a panel survey of donors in the same years, we explore several questions concerning the federal donors:
• What is the demographic profile of congressional donors, and how does that compare to congressional donors in 1996?
• How do congressional, party, and PAC donors compare to each other, to presidential donors, voters and citizens?
• What motivates donors to give?
• In what ways do online campaign tools, opportunities, and communication affect donor behavior?
• How did Super PACs affect donors and campaigns?
• What other types of political participation are common for donors?
• What influences how much donors contribute?
• What motivated first-time donors to give? Why did some donors stop giving?
• When do donors make their contributions?
• How frequently do donors contribute to multiple campaigns? How often do donors contribute to more than one organization: campaigns, parties, and PACs?

Authors

• Jay Goodliffe, Brigham Young University

• David B. Magleby, Brigham Young University