Elite theorists disagree over whether the recent conservative shift in U.S. politics results from a rightward shift of the capitalist class as whole or from the political ascendance of an ultraconservative Sunbelt segment. Using data on corporate political action committee contributions between 1978 and 1986, I find evidence of greater conservatism among Sunbelt corporations than among Northeastern corporations, as well as evidence linking conservatism to key Sunbelt industries and family-owned companies. Surprisingly, Midwestern capital was also a strong supporter of the New Right's rise in 1978 and 1980, but significantly reduced its contributions after 1980.
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