The Party's Primary
Control of Congressional Nominations

Demonstrates how party elites influence candidate decisions and shape the outcomes of primary elections for House and Senate.

Hans J. G. Hassell (Author)

9781108420990, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 December 2017

228 pages, 25 b/w illus. 21 tables
23.6 x 15.7 x 1.8 cm, 0.44 kg

'The Party's Primary offers an original, subtle and sophisticated analysis of how contemporary party elites shape the choices presented to voters in primary elections. It is a valuable and highly readable addition to the literature on parties and elections.' Gary C. Jacobson, Distinguished Professor of Political Science Emeritus, University of California, San Diego

Primary elections were supposed to limit the influence of party bosses on the nomination process. The decision to run for House or Senate and a candidate's success in securing the party's nomination for these offices has been considered to be largely candidate-centered. In The Party's Primary, Hans J. G. Hassell shows that parties have a strong influence on the options available to voters and shape the outcomes of the nomination process. Drawing on interviews with party insiders and candidates, Hassell highlights the resources that parties have at their disposal that are not readily available outside the party network and the process by which party elites coordinate behind preferred candidates. Using data from almost 3000 nomination contests for House and Senate in the past decade, this book shows that parties use these tools to clear the field for their preferred candidate and exert a strong influence on the outcomes of primary elections.

1. Introduction: the primary: of political operatives and academics
2. The sources of party strength
3. The choosing of the candidate
4. Clearing the Senate field
5. Clearing the House field
6. Winning the nomination
7. Influencing the political system.

Subject Areas: Political structures: democracy [JPHV], Political leaders & leadership [JPHL], Elections & referenda [JPHF], Political structure & processes [JPH], Politics & government [JP], Society & social sciences [J]