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CASEWORK ADVERTISEMENT AND MEMBER‐CONSTITUENT CONTACT: A DISTRICT ANALYSIS
Author(s) -
Serra George
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
southeastern political review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1747-1346
pISSN - 0730-2177
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-1346.1994.tb00341.x
Subject(s) - publicity , reputation , service (business) , advertising , proposition , multivariate probit model , politics , public relations , word of mouth , member states , business , political science , marketing , psychology , law , economics , linguistics , philosophy , european union , economic policy , econometrics
Few political scientists would argue with the proposition that incumbents take the initiative and try to raise their caseload level and thereby increase constituent contact. There is less agreement, however, concerning the success of members' overt efforts to stimulate cases. This study capitalizes on a unique research opportunity to explore the impact of one House member's casework strategy: overt solicitation of cases (i.e., newsletters) and reputation for constituent service. A multivariate probit model explains constituent requests for ombudsman service. The findings demonstrate that the member's newsletters are a relatively ineffective means of generating casework. Word of mouth publicity, however, contributes significantly to service requests. By developing a reputation for constituent service through second‐hand contact, the member can communicate his or her ombudsman role to constituents and thus more easily cultivate the district.