Allocations Follow Form: The Impact of Federal Structure on Association PACs

Authors

  • Frank L. Davis

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15763/issn.2374-7781.1994.15.0.481-490

Abstract

Researchers have found that the leaders of PACs serving associations with federated organizational structures are under pressure to surrender a good deal of control over allocations to their grassroots fund raisers. As a result, these PACs expend a larger proportion of their allocations to assist the election efforts of ideologically congenial candidates, and a smaller proportion to attain access to likely election victors. This finding, in turn, prompts new questions. This paper addresses some of these. The most important concerns the degree to which association PACs’ commitment to electing ideological allies is the result of sponsors’ federated structures. Results o f this analysis indicate that association PACs’ distinctive commitment to influencing elections stems exclusively from federated associations. The association PAC category includes two distinct groups with vastly different tactical orientations. Pacs in one group, i.e., those serving federated associations, are committed to influencing election results while PACs in the other group, consisting o f those serving nonfederated associations, are dedicated to securing access to election victors.

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Published

1995-01-01

Issue

Vol. 15: Winter 1994

Section

Articles

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