Research

Peer-Reviewed Publications

  1. Conceptualizing and Measuring Early Campaign Fundraising in Congressional Elections
    Colin R. Case, and Rachel Porter
    Political Science Research & Methods, Forthcoming
  2. Evaluating (In)Experience in Congressional Elections
    Rachel Porter, and Sarah A. Treul
    American Journal of Political Science, 2025
  3. Changing the Dialogue: Descriptive Candidacies and Position Taking in Campaigns for the US House of Representatives
    Rachel Porter, Sarah A. Treul, and Maura McDonald
    The Journal of Politics, 2024
  4. No Experience Required: Early Donations and Amateur Candidate Success in Primary Elections
    Rachel Porter, and Tyler S. Steelman
    Legislative Studies Quarterly, 2022
  5. The Junior Americanist Workshop Series
    Christina Ladam, Austin Bussing, Alexander C. Furnas, and 3 more authors
    PS: Political Science & Politics, 2022
  6. Running as a Woman? Candidate Presentation in the 2018 Midterms
    Maura McDonald, Rachel Porter, and Sarah A. Treul
    Political Research Quarterly, 2020

Working Papers

  1. CampaignView, a database of policy platforms and biographical narratives for congressional candidates
    Rachel Porter, Colin R. Case, and Sarah A. Treul
    Last Updated: June 5, 2025
  2. Electing amateur politicians reduces cross-party collaboration
    Rachel Porter, Jeffrey J. Harden, and Mackenzie R. Dobson
    Last Updated: May 31, 2025
  3. Measuring Policy Positioning in US Congressional Elections
    Colin R. Case, and Rachel Porter
    Last Updated: February 21, 2025
  4. Intra-Party Variation on Climate Change Positions in U.S. House Elections
    Rachel Porter, Ben Francis, and Bill Kakenmaster
    Last Updated: January 24, 2025
  5. The Consequences of Elite Action Against Elections
    Rachel Porter, Jeffrey J. Harden, Emily Anderson, and 3 more authors
    Last Updated: January 8, 2025
  6. Policy Facts or Partisan Friction?: Explaining Political Communication on America’s Opioid Epidemic
    Rachel Porter
    Last Updated: September 9, 2024

Works in Progress

  1. Bipartisan campaign messages are credible policymaking signals
    Colin R. Case, Emily Cottle Ommundsen, and Rachel Porter
    Presented at the 2024 Conference for Effective Lawmaking at the University of Virginia
  2. Do Small Donors Make a Big Difference in U.S. Elections?: Evidence from 50 Million Campaign Contributions
    Maggie Macdonald, Rachel Porter, and Megan Brown
    Presented at the 2024 American Political Science Association Annual Meeting