Party campaign finance and electoral competition

Despite the recent policy debates about party campaign finance, little is known about campaign contributions to parties and the effects of party-related reforms on elections. In this dissertation, I use survey data to explore the motivations of campaign contributors and use campaign finance and other electoral data to determine the effects of campaign contributions on position-taking by candidates of both major parties. While those who contribute to political parties are motivated by policy, campaign contributions have little effect on position-taking by candidates of either major party. I also explore the electoral effects of campaign finance reforms targeted at the parties; these funds are expected to increase electoral competition as parties direct their campaign funds to the most competitive races. Contrary to expectations, I find that campaign finance reforms targeted at parties generally do not promote greater electoral competition.