Candidates’ Policy Dispositions

Chapter 10 explores how chairs evaluate candidates’ policy stances. We find that party chairs and voters respond similarly to candidates’ positions on economic policy and abortion. However, chairs from both parties appear to underestimate voters’ willingness to support candidates who support stricter gun laws. We also see differences on how chairs assess candidates who signal a willingness to compromise: Democratic chairs are more likely to choose compromisers, but Republicans are less likely to do so. That said, chairs in both parties underestimate their voters’ willingness to choose “compromiser” candidates. Chairs’ apparent misperceptions about what voters demand may lead them to unintentionally seek out or promote candidates whose dispositions fail to mirror voters’ preferences.