Journal of Political Institutions and Political Economy > Vol 2 > Issue 1

Pandemic Pluralism: Legislator Championing of Organized Interests in Response to COVID-19

Alexander C. Furnas, Center for Science of Science and Innovation, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, alexander.furnas@kellogg.northwestern.edu , Jesse M. Crosson, Department of Political Science and Program on Urban Studies, Trinity University, jcrosson@trinity.edu , Geoffrey M. Lorenz, Department of Political Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, gmlorenz@unl.edu
 
Suggested Citation
Alexander C. Furnas, Jesse M. Crosson and Geoffrey M. Lorenz (2021), "Pandemic Pluralism: Legislator Championing of Organized Interests in Response to COVID-19", Journal of Political Institutions and Political Economy: Vol. 2: No. 1, pp 23-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/113.00000028

Publication Date: 11 Mar 2021
© 2021 A. C. Furnas, J. M. Crosson, and G. M. Lorenz
 
Subjects
Congress,  Interest groups,  Campaign finance,  Legislatures,  Political parties
 
Keywords
COVIDrepresentationcampaign financeinterest groupsideologypartisanship
 

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In this article:
Introduction 
Interest Championing and Revealed Priorities 
Methods 
Results 
Discussion 
References 

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has induced a system-wide economic downturn disrupting virtually every conceivable economic interest. Which interests do legislators publicly champion during such crises? Here, we examine mentions of particular industries across thousands of press releases issued by members of Congress during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (January to June 2020). We show that members consistently emphasized interests significant to their constituency and party network, but less so their direct campaign contributors or ideological allies. This suggests that members believe that they must be seen as good district representatives and party stewards even when national crises could justifiably induce them to favor any number of interests.

DOI:10.1561/113.00000028

Companion

Journal of Political Institutions and Political Economy, Volume 2, Issue 1 Special issue - The Political Economy of Pandemics, Part II
See the other articles that are part of this special issue.