“Do Interest Group Endorsements Influence Elections? Evidence from U.S. States,” Alexander Fouirnaies, University of Chicago

AMERICAN POLITICS & PUBLIC POLICY WORKSHOP

Abstract: Interest groups attempt to influence political outcomes in many ways, and a potentially important channel of influence is endorsements of candidates running for office. We study endorsements of candidates in US state and federal elections. We collect new data on endorsements by major interest groups and document descriptive facts about endorsements over time and across states. To estimate the effect of endorsements on electoral outcomes, we exploit within-individual variation in endorsement status induced by entry and exit of interest groups in state politics. (joint work with Andrew C. W. Myers)

Alexander Fouirnaies is an Associate Professor of political economy at the Harris School of public policy, University of Chicago.

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