Presidential Spending: Rewarding Swing State Loyalists Strategically

Does federal spending target politically influential groups?

This study analyzes county-level spending from 1984 to 2008, finding presidents systematically favor specific constituencies despite claims of universalism. Presidents reliably direct funds toward co-partisan congressional districts and core partisan counties within swing states.

Specifically targeting political leverage points:

• Swing state particularism is especially prominent during reelection campaigns
• Core partisan counties within swing states receive the heaviest allocations
• Both loyal supporter areas (core partisan) and co-partisan bases (swing) are rewarded, challenging universalistic claims

Contrary to ideal policy pursuit or median voter theory, our findings suggest presidents strategically allocate resources based on political considerations rather than solely efficiency or broad public benefit.