Meet our new Advisory Board Member: Danielle Thomsen

The Center for Effective Lawmaking is excited to welcome Danielle Thomsen to our Board of Advisors.

Thomsen is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Irvine and a CEL Faculty Affiliate. Her research focuses on American politics, the U.S. Congress, and gender and politics. Her first book, Opting Out of Congress: Partisan Polarization and the Decline of Moderate Candidates, shows that ideological moderates are less likely to run for and remain in Congress than those at the extremes, further exacerbating the gulf between the two parties. Her current work examines fundraising patterns in U.S. House elections from 1980 to present. Her second book, The Money Signal: How Fundraising Matters in American Politics, explores how money is used as a focal point for candidates, donors, journalists, and party leaders, and it demonstrates that money matters long before and well after the election. Her articles have appeared in the American Political Science Review, the Journal of Politics, Legislative Studies Quarterly, Perspectives on Politics, and other outlets. She has a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from Minnesota State University and a Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University.

We look forward to working closely with Professor Thomsen in this new capacity and engaging with her expertise to promote effective lawmaking.