Party Money in the 2006 Elections:The Role of National Party Committees in Financing Congressional Campaigns

Publication Date: January 2007

Publisher: Campaign Finance Institute (U.S.)

Author(s): Anthony Corrado; Katie Varney

Research Area: Politics

Keywords: Elections; Hard money; Soft money

Type:

Abstract:

The political context for the 2006 elections was conducive to party fundraising. As in 2004, the deep partisan polarization within the electorate created fertile ground for party fundraising appeals. The competitive battle for majority control further enhanced the parties' financial prospects. The Democrats were widely perceived to have a realistic chance of taking control of the Senate as early as the beginning of 2006, but their hope of capturing the House became more promising as the election year progressed. The election thus evolved into a high stakes contest, with control of both Houses of Congress up for grabs and more seats considered in play than in any election since the epublican takeover in 1994. Party upporters on both sides of the aisle ad strong incentives to contribute and both parties aggressively sought to raise as much money as they could.