Study the chart of top contributions to an imaginary political campaign, and then answer the question. Campaign Contributions Campaign Donors Total Donations Technology Companies PAC $29,469,301 Manufacturing Groups PAC $55,338,061 Mining Super PAC $60,523,239 Lawyers/Law Firms $61,200,325 Retired persons $65,523,239 Which group of campaign donors might have more influence on a candidate’s policies? Why? (4 points)

1 answer

To determine which group of campaign donors might have more influence on a candidate's policies, we can analyze the total donations contributed by each group.

  1. Technology Companies PAC: $29,469,301
  2. Manufacturing Groups PAC: $55,338,061
  3. Mining Super PAC: $60,523,239
  4. Lawyers/Law Firms: $61,200,325
  5. Retired persons: $65,523,239

From this breakdown, we see that the group with the highest contributions is the retired persons group, contributing a total of $65,523,239.

Reason for Influence: The retired persons group might have more influence on a candidate's policies for several reasons:

  • Total Contribution: They are the largest single group of contributors, indicating significant financial backing that can sway political decisions.
  • Voting Power: Retired individuals often have a strong incentive to influence policies related to social security, healthcare, pensions, and other retirement benefits. Their concentrated interests can prompt candidates to consider their needs more seriously.
  • Campaign Importance: Candidates typically prioritize groups that provide substantial financial resources, as these funds are vital for campaigning in a competitive electoral landscape.

In summary, retired persons, as the top contributors, may indeed have more ability to influence a candidate's policies, particularly those affecting their demographic.