Political Scientists: A Profile of Congressional Candidates with STEM Backgrounds

Abstract

ABSTRACTCandidates with STEM backgrounds ran for Congress in record numbers in 2018. Understanding who participates in this form of “mobilized science,” and whether they are successful, is important because these candidates may campaign—and ultimately take action—to advance science-informed policies. However, whereas there is ample journalistic coverage of individual candidates, few scholars have studied them collectively. I constructed a novel dataset that allowed me to descriptively profile almost 200 STEM candidates who ran in 2018 and to explore correlates of their electoral success. I find that three quarters of the candidates were first-time congressional candidates, most of whom were Democrats and men. Democratic incumbents and candidates endorsed by the 314 PAC were significantly more likely to advance to the general election. I also find that women Democrats with STEM backgrounds are as likely (and perhaps more likely) to advance to the general election. I conclude by discussing how these findings advance the study of mobilized science in an increasingly partisan era.