Higher Office and Risk Aversion: Re-Examining the Progressive Ambition of Members of Congress

• In Event: Candidate Backgrounds and the Decision to Run

Brief Overview

I study the influence of risk on progressive ambition in the U.S. House by analyzing risk-related language in the Congressional Record. I use this text-based measure of risk aversion to re-examine when and why representatives seek higher office.

Author

• Samuel Ault Jens, Stony Brook University