Case studies and campaign fundraising and spending figures from the 2018 midterm elections Influence of the #MeToo movement and unprecedented numbers of female activists and donors. Analysis of the Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives. The rise of super PACs and 501(c) organizations that exist for the sole purpose of advancing the career of an individual candidate and can raise money from sources and in amounts prohibited to the candidate The increased influence of wealthy individuals and groups on the conduct of congressional campaigns The use of social media and the Internet to raise money, communicate with voters, recruit volunteers, and pretest television ads Updated coverage of campaign strategy and communications includes the use of big data, microtargeting, and social media Introduction of new convenience voting methods in many states Introduction of other state reforms, such as redistricting commissions and California’s top-two primary system

Elections and Governance

Chapter 10 Elections and governance

“The election is over, and now the fun begins.” Those were the words of one new House member shortly after being elected to Congress. Others have more sober, if not more realistic, visions of what lies ahead. Although getting elected to Congress is difficult, especially for those who have to topple an incumbent, staying there also requires great effort. High reelection rates do not make the return of individual members of Congress automatic; that is the result of hard work, the strategic deployment of the resources Congress makes available to its members, and the campaign dynamics discussed in previous chapters. Losing sight of the fact that reelection is by no means guaranteed can result in even the ...

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