Evaluating the Effects of Interest Group Endorsements in Local Elections

• In Event: Group Interests and Polarization

Abstract

Interest group endorsements are commonly solicited by candidates for local office. However, no empirical study has established the value of these endorsements in local elections generally. I provide new evidence on their value using original experimental and observational data, while also providing a novel glimpse of police union, firefighters’ union, and chamber of commerce political behavior in local elections. Additionally, I provide evidence of the relationship between endorsements and donations in elections using local-level donation records. I find that certain kinds of endorsements generate noteworthy heterogeneous treatment effects based on party, while other endorsements that elected officials believe are valuable generate negative electoral effects. These results suggest that many elected officials are misperceiving the value of local interest group endorsements.

Author

• Jennifer Gaudette, UC San Diego