Federal election commission records as qualitative data: a historical network analysis approach

Quantitative research on money in politics has long relied on records from the Federal Election Commission. However, qualitative scholars can also use these records , particularly from a historical perspective. In this paper, I show that Federal Election Commission (FEC) records are beneficial for historical research by examining the consolidation of political speech and power structure analysis. In doing so, I demonstrate how looking at FEC records as a historical archive, while informative, also comes with significant challenges and one potential avenue for overcoming these limitations. The methodology has two components. First, expenditure records are used to develop a network analysis by highlighting which interest groups financially support one another or rely on the same consulting firms. These initial networks are then expanded upon through documentary analysis using data from additional reporting from the Federal Election Commission and media coverage. Finally, I demonstrate the application of the method through a comparison of the coordination practices among Mitt Romney and his supporters in the 2012 presidential election and John McCain’s in 2008.