UCI Experts On: Political fundraising
UCI Experts On: Political fundraising
- October 13, 2026
- UC Irvine political scientist Danielle Thomsen explores why money matters so much in American politics
-----
Transcript:
“Over the last few decades, the number of competitive congressional races has declined dramatically. Yet candidates and officeholders dial for more and more dollars each election, and they do so earlier and earlier in the campaign cycle.
Why is fundraising so important in American elections today?
I’m Danielle Thomsen, UC Irvine professor of political science and author of The Money Signal: How Fundraising Matters in American Politics. My research shows that money isn’t just a resource - it’s a signal.
Candidates who raise more early money are seen as more viable. That perception shapes the race long before and well after the election. The money signal matters for whether competitors drop out or stay in the race, if donors give later on, how much journalists pay attention, and whether candidates receive desirable committee assignments in office. This creates a feedback loop where early fundraising success leads to more visibility, more support, and ultimately, more political power.
But this has consequences too.
Donors have an outsized influence in elections by shaping who runs for and is elected to office. Candidates who are unable to attract a strong early fundraising haul are unable to gain traction and are all but counted out, which perpetuates the Congress of multimillionaires we have today.
Understanding this “money signal” helps us rethink why money matters so much in American politics, and it opens the door to conversations about how we might create a more equitable political system.”
-produced by Luis Fonseca, UC Irvine School of Social Sciences
-----
Would you like to get more involved with the social sciences? Email us at communications@socsci.uci.edu to connect.
Related News Items