Fund-Raising Coalitions in School Board Elections

Abstract

This article examines campaign finance activity in two large school districts: San Francisco, California and Hillsborough County, Florida. Using datasets containing contributions to school board candidates, it explores from whom candidates raise campaign funds. The findings indicate that entities with material interests in school board decisions, such as teachers' unions and businesses with school district contracts, are active contributors but do not dominate fundraising activity. School board candidates typically assemble broad fund-raising coalitions comprising of a diverse range of groups and individuals. Even though established interests are often part of fund-raising coalitions, few candidates rely heavily on them for funds. These groups may exercise substantial influence through other means, but they typically do not use the campaign finance system as a means through which they exert influence.