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Dividing the Spoils of Power: How Are the Benefits of Majority Party Status Distributed in U.S. State Legislatures?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2021

Henry A. Kim  and
Justin H. Phillips
Henry A. Kim
Affiliation:
University of Arizona
Justin H. Phillips
Affiliation:
Columbia University
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Abstract

We assess the conditions under which majority status generates benefits for incumbent legislators and how these benefits are distributed among members of the majority party. We argue that majority status is valuable only in procedurally partisan chambers; that is, when the majority party monopolizes chamber leadership positions and control of the legislative agenda. Contrary to the existing literature, we also posit that these rewards should be distributed broadly across the majority party. To test our expectations, we utilize 10 recent transitions in the partisan control of U.S. state legislatures and data on campaign contributions. Consistent with our expectations, majority status is valuable, but only in procedurally partisan chambers. Furthermore, the premium in campaign contributions enjoyed by the majority party is primarily distributed to backbenchers, although top party leaders also benefit. These results provide important insights into the distribution of power and influence in U.S. state legislatures.

Type
Research Article
Information
State Politics & Policy Quarterly , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , Summer 2009 , pp. 125 - 150
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

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