Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Over the past two decades, the number of competitive congressional races has declined precipitously. Yet dollars raised continue to climb, while fundraising begins earlier each election cycle.
In her new book The Money Signal, Danielle M. Thomsen of the University of California, Irvine, investigates the understudied reason that money matters in politics: Fundraising signals a candidate’s viability and strength. She draws on 40 years of comprehensive fundraising data and mixed-methods research to highlight the numerous ways that fundraising success influences subsequent donations, dropout decisions, media attention, and rewards in office.
Please join AEI’s Kevin R. Kosar and Daniel Stid, the Brookings Institution’s Molly Reynolds, and Dr. Thomsen as they discuss the author’s findings, what they mean for candidate quality, and the implications for American democracy and self-government.
Submit questions to Elissabeth.Buckles@aei.org or on X with #TheMoneySignalAEI.
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#aei #news #politics #government #education #livestream #live #congress #elections #fundraising #americanpolitics #donors
Over the past two decades, the number of competitive congressional races has declined precipitously. Yet dollars raised continue to climb, while fundraising begins earlier each election cycle.
In her new book The Money Signal, Danielle M. Thomsen of the University of California, Irvine, investigates the understudied reason that money matters in politics: Fundraising signals a candidate’s viability and strength. She draws on 40 years of comprehensive fundraising data and mixed-methods research to highlight the numerous ways that fundraising success influences subsequent donations, dropout decisions, media attention, and rewards in office.
Please join AEI’s Kevin R. Kosar and Daniel Stid, the Brookings Institution’s Molly Reynolds, and Dr. Thomsen as they discuss the author’s findings, what they mean for candidate quality, and the implications for American democracy and self-government.
Submit questions to Elissabeth.Buckles@aei.org or on X with #TheMoneySignalAEI.
Subscribe to AEI's YouTube Channel
youtube.com/user/AEIVideos?sub_confirmation=1
Like us on Facebook
facebook.com/AEIonline
Follow us on Twitter
twitter.com/AEI
For more information
aei.org
AEI operates independently of any political party and does not take institutional positions on any issues. AEI scholars, fellows, and their guests frequently take positions on policy and other issues. When they do, they speak for themselves and not for AEI or its trustees or other scholars or employees.
More information on AEI research integrity can be found here: aei.org/about
#aei #news #politics #government #education #livestream #live #congress #elections #fundraising #americanpolitics #donors
