Another interesting stat is comparing the campaign expenditure (non-IE) by a candidate committee vs the campaign expenditure for their opponent. Those funds typically go farther than the IE ones, and the comparison adds additional information (and also can make another district beyond these look competitive). Interestingly, the most effect campaign techniques (e.g., canvassing by the candidate and unpaid surrogates) cost the least.
This is why voting for judges is so important. Look what happened with Citizens United. With a 5-4 decision at the Supreme Court our entire election system was changed. Why is my voice not as loud as Elon Musk? He has more money. As we all know, money talks and bullshit walks.
Thanks for the information. The graphs make sense and then again frightening when you look at all the outside (IE) money being spent.
Another interesting stat is comparing the campaign expenditure (non-IE) by a candidate committee vs the campaign expenditure for their opponent. Those funds typically go farther than the IE ones, and the comparison adds additional information (and also can make another district beyond these look competitive). Interestingly, the most effect campaign techniques (e.g., canvassing by the candidate and unpaid surrogates) cost the least.
While the evidence about the effectiveness of expensive approaches like direct mail is minimal, see this study for one study that showed minimal effects: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228742116_For_Want_of_a_Nail_Field_Experimental_Evidence_on_the_Effectiveness_of_Direct_Mail_in_a_Political_Campaign
I had to take time to leave a comment; this was an absolutely fabulous breakdown. I'm running for office right now and still learned a ton.
Thank you for the amazing work you do. I'm proud to be a subscriber.
Great info. McGarr and Jones are in LD17, running against Volk.
Ahh thank you. Fat fingered that one
This is why voting for judges is so important. Look what happened with Citizens United. With a 5-4 decision at the Supreme Court our entire election system was changed. Why is my voice not as loud as Elon Musk? He has more money. As we all know, money talks and bullshit walks.