Dusso, AaronLang, Matthew JosephVargus, Brian S.Ferguson, Margaret Robertson2013-12-112013-12-112013-12-11https://hdl.handle.net/1805/3753http://dx.doi.org/10.7912/C2/652Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)Prior studies on state legislative elections have found gubernatorial coattails playing a key role; however, they fail to examine the temporal and state-based trends of this phenomena. Using precinct level data from nine states (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming), over two election cycles (2002 and 2006), I measure the importance a state’s ideological makeup, and a governor’s institutional powers has on gubernatorial coattails. Findings reaffirm the importance of coattails, and previously researched variables; however, the addition of the above measures greatly affects coattail strength, dependent on host of controlling factors.en-USState PoliticsGovernorsState LegislaturesPolitical parties -- United States -- StatesVoting research -- United States -- StatesVoting -- Mathematical modelsPolitical campaigns -- United States -- StatesPolitical participation -- United States -- StatesUnited States -- Politics and government -- StatesElection districts -- United States -- StatesParty affiliation -- United States -- StatesIncumbency (Public officers) -- United States -- StatesGovernors -- United States -- Election -- StatesLocal government -- United States -- StatesThesis