Suzanna Linn, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Michael Barth Berkman, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Tea Party 2010 Spending Primaries
Abstract:
This thesis analyzes why the Tea Party was successful in the 2010 election cycle, specifically focusing on the role spending played. Looking at Republican primaries in which Tea Party candidates were involved, I found that primary spending in raw dollars was not as important relative to the share of the money spent in the primary. Furthermore, my results show that candidates who received endorsements from the Tea Party Express and Sarah Palin were the candidate who received the money. The endorsements acted as a signal to voters that these candidates shared the endorser’s values and ideals. Thus, these endorsements acted as a signal that these were quality candidates to vote for, and increased their likelihood of success at the ballots.
