The more outside money politicians take, the less well they represent their constituents
Document Type
News Article
Publication Date
8-17-2016
Publisher
Nash Holdings LLC
Abstract
Do members of Congress shortchange their constituents in favor of donors? That accusation was flung in one congressional race recently — but it’s a question worth asking of districts nationwide. About a quarter of the members of the House of Representatives raise a large share of their campaign funds from donors outside of their districts. And my research suggests that the more they depend on those donors, the less they represent the voters in their districts.
Could this be one reason why Congress is so polarized?
Recommended Citation
Anne E. Baker, 2016. “The More Outside Money Politicians Take, The Less Well They Represent Their Constituents,” Monkey Cage Blog, Washington Post, August 17th, 2016. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/08/17/members-of-congress-follow-the-money-not-the-voters-heres-the-evidence/
