Money Contributions Pay-Off in Elections!

Ashly McGlone

WRI313

Math / Excel Story

Close analysis of the 2000 election campaign statistics show that money contributions pay-off when all is said and done.

Peterson, McDonald and Adams all had the highest amount of money contributed to them in 2000 ($11,931,499; $9,316,092; and $8,607,007 respectively) and they also won the election that year.

Two of the three candidates, both Adams and McDonald, had at least a 75% increase in Indy Exp from 1996 stats, with 82% and 75% respectively. All three candidates who lost had less than 50% increase in Indy Exp, with Smith even dropping a staggering 52%. Johnson had 18% and Thurston had 49%. The shocking win is Peterson with the meager 5% increase in Indy Exp. The total percentage change for all candidates was an increase of 28%.

From 1996 to 2000the Police Union had an 8% increase in contribution. The Save Our Planet Group had a whopping 106% increase and the Teachers’ Union had a 63% increase. Grand Total percentage increase for Interest Groups was a significant 70%.

In 2000 the Police Union spent 34%, or $1,821,399 (the highest percentage of their total expenditures) on public relations consulting. The Police Union spent the least amount $222,222, or 4% of their total costs on radio ads. Total spending for the Police Union in 2000 was $5,312,691.

In 2000, the Save our Planet Group in contrast spent the majority of its money on TV advertising with $14,058,011 or 70% of its total $19,967,553. The Save Our Planet Group spent the least amount of money on radio ads as well with only $223,207 or 1%.

Finally in 2000, the Teachers’ Union spent their majority, $6,918,895 or 58% of its money on TV ads, and the least amount, $634,172 or 5% on yard signs.

The Police Union spent a total of $10,047,288 on campaigns, with a majority of 25% going to Thurston. The Save Our Planet Group spent a total of $34,957,785, with 23% going to Peterson. The Teachers Union spent a total of $20,888,125, with 25% going to McDonald.

With the exception of Thurston, both other candidates highly endorsed by the interest groups won.

The average contribution of any kind in 2000 to Adams was $153,697. The median amount for Adams was $22,589 and the most frequent amount for Adams was $16,877.

The average contribution to Johnson was $74,043; the median amount was $20,752, and the most common amount was also $20,752.

The average contribution to McDonald was $102,375; the median amount was $27,228, and the most common amount was $ 15,792.

The average contribution to Peterson was $130,318; the median was $25,722 and the most common amount was $15,414.

The average amount contributed to Smith was $120,181; the median was $22,630 and the most common amount was $15,414.

The average amount contributed to Thurston in 2000 was $85,700; the median was $46,304 and the most common amount was $55,667.

The total average for all of the contributions toward candidates was $115,684; the median was $24,548 and the most common donation overall was $15,414.

While both Adams and Peterson had two of the highest average contributions, Smith’s average superseded the third winner McDonald’s average. Surprisingly Thurston’s median contribution is the highest, with McDonald and Peterson following. The leader for the most common amount for contribution is again Thurston, followed by Johnson and Adams.