Promotional Expenditures in Congressional Elections: Turnout, Political Action Committees and Asymmetry Effects

Abstract

Abstract This study replicates and extends the research of Soley and Reid (1982) and Siomkos and Ghosh (1986). The findings suggest that incumbency and promotional expenditures are important determinants of the votes received by congressional candidates. The study also found evidence of the “coat-tail” effect, but no evidence that spending and voter turnout are related. Finally, this research demonstrates that Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions have a significant and positive effect on the number of votes that candidates receive.