Are politicians representing marginalized groups due to non-electoral motives? This study examines appointed Canadian senators, who lack electoral incentives. Using a novel survey on policy opinion priorities among various citizen groups, researchers found that senators with racial or regional minority identities influenced which group's views they prioritized learning about.

Data & Methods:

Survey administered to Canadian senators and their staff; captured how representatives prioritize learning about different citizens' opinions;

Key Findings:

Senators' personal group identities affected policy priorities; non-electoral motives may drive representation in some cases;

Implications:

This challenges existing assumptions about political representation; findings offer insights into unelected bodies and contexts with weak public oversight.