Party models in flux: Democratic congressional primaries since 2016  

Project Title

 Party models in flux: Democratic congressional primaries since 2016  

Faculty Mentor(s)

Project Description

Project Description: 

My research focuses on the conflict between the progressive and establishment factions of the Democratic Party that has become more common in congressional primaries since 2016, as exemplified by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's shocking defeat of Joseph Crowley in a 2018 New York primary. My thesis shows that progressive candidates have only continued to become more prominent in Democratic congressional primaries, and that the progressive-establishment divide within the party fundamentally comes down to a diverging view of party models, with progressives favoring an ideologically-oriented party and the establishment camp favoring a party revolving around interest and identity groups.  
 

Why is your research important?

My research helps us as Americans to better understand how one of the two main parties in our political system functions. Understanding Democratic primaries may help us understand American politics as a whole.  
 

How did you get involved in research? What drove you to seek out research experiences in college?

I first got interested in doing research after being a research assistant for two of my professors. Their work inspired me to conduct my own research.    
 

What is your favorite aspect of the research process?

I find it satisfying to be able to read a lot and think deeply about a subject, and then being able to realize it into different sections that logically connect to each other.    

How has the research you’ve conducted contributed to your professional or academic development?  

I am interested in working in the political world in the future, and my research topic was inspired by my participation in two different primary elections. Those experiences left me with a lot of questions, and my research has helped me to understand primaries a lot more.
 

What advice would you give to a younger student wanting to get involved in research in your field?

If you are truly interested in doing research, it is never too early to start working on it! Doing harder work earlier on will help make the process easier in the long run.