The Limitations of Party Influence

This chapter chronicles the first three nomination contests, spotlighting limitations to elite influence on the nomination process, which enabled Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg to surge to the front, nearly derailing the Biden campaign. In Iowa, we explain how caucus formats and limited participation make it easier for well-organized campaigns to override the preferences of party officials. In New Hampshire, we discuss how the draw of hometown candidates can lead many voters to ignore cues from party elites. In Nevada, we explore how dissatisfied constituent groups within the party—in this case, Latinx—can upend contests, enabling targeted campaigns to overwhelm elite signals.