Research
Articles
HENRY A. KIM, University
of Arizona
JUSTIN H. PHILLIPS, Columbia University
Dividing the Spoils of Power:
How Are the Benefits of Majority Party
Status Distributed in U.S. State Legislatures?
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.
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