Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Political Science

Advisor/Mentor

Dr. Campos, Alejandra

Committee Member

Dr. Sebold, Karen

Second Committee Member

Dr. Weeks, Taylor

Abstract

Using data collected from the Stanford Database on Ideology, Money in Politics, and Elections (DIME) this paper examines the connection between campaign finance results in independent expenditures. Focusing on 2022 and 2024 United States Senatorial election cycles, this research investigates whether or not female and male senatorial candidates receive higher or lower rates of supportive and opposing funding and how such funding effects the electoral outcomes of female candidates. Through logit regression analyses and descriptive statistics, like histogram and distribution graphs conducted in RStudio, this research measures how financial backing from outside groups affects probability in Senatorial primary electoral outcomes. Contrary to initial expectations, this research finds that female candidates receive supportive funding at lower rates than their male counterparts, while male candidates receive higher rates of opposing funding. This research then finds that women have a higher of success in Senatorial primary elections due to supportive and are not being targeted as aggressively by opposing funding.

Keywords

campaign finance; gender gap; senate primaries; independent expenditures; electoral success; logit regression

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