Individual donors play a critical role in financing congressional elections, accounting for more than half of all money raised in House campaigns. But significant donors (defined here as those contributing more than $200) are the least understood participants in the system. Defenders assert that contributing money to campaigns is part of a broader pattern of civic involvement and is free speech that gives a voice to various interests. Detractors argue that these contributions are undemocratic, enabling wealthy citizens to overwhelm the voices of the many and to promote narrow business and...

Serious Money offers detailed analysis of the relationship between fundraising methods and contributing decisions in presidential nomination campaigns. Brown, Powell, and Wilcox explore the fundamental differences between direct mail solicitation and personal-solicitation networks, and how candidate resources dictate the use of unique methods of solicitation. The research is based largely on newly conducted surveys of campaign contributors, a panel study of contributors and interviews with campaign fundraising professionals.