Does increased federal spending translate into election votes? A county-level study from 1988 to 2008 reveals voters reward presidents for local funding, especially in battleground states. This finding challenges previous null results focused on Congress.

Funding Impact: Federal grants act as an electoral currency influenced by partisan responsibility and recipient characteristics.

Specifically:

• Spends help incumbents gain support
• Effect stronger in competitive states
• Value depends on Congressional alignment (co-partisan members)

Voter Ideology Matters:

• The spending reward is more pronounced among liberal/moderate voters
• Conservative voters show less responsiveness to federal funds

This suggests a disconnect between public deficit concerns and actual voting behavior regarding targeted government spending.