How Modern Lawmakers Advertise Their Legislative Effectiveness to Constituents

In order to be re-elected, lawmakers must inform their constituents on what their intentions are in Congress. Effective representation in Congress goes beyond the traditional metrics of lawmaking. It encompasses a broader range of activities, including advocacy and direct engagement with constituents. Understanding how legislators communicate their multifaceted roles is essential to evaluating their strategies for maintaining public support and securing reelection. But how are lawmakers supposed to showcase their legislative effectiveness to the general public? What methods are most effective?

In this forthcoming published paper in The Journal of Politics, Professor Charles Hunt of Boise State University and Associate Professor (and CEL Faculty Affiliate) Kristina Miler of the University of Maryland examine how legislators communicate their effectiveness to constituents through official newsletters. They explore the ways in which lawmakers highlight their accomplishments in lawmaking, advocacy, and district-focused activities to build and maintain support. Using a comprehensive dataset of nearly 90,000 newsletters from House members between 2009 and 2020, the authors analyze how communication strategies vary based on individual characteristics, electoral pressures, and institutional contexts, shedding light on the dynamic relationship between representation and constituent engagement. 

To learn more, read the full online version of the report here.