Extremist lawmakers saw higher fundraising success during politically polarizing budget shutdowns in California. Financial disclosures from the past 30 years show that outside-party-median representatives raised more funds than their centrist counterparts during these shutdown periods, suggesting a link between polarization and campaign financing for extremists.

Findings: During California's frequent budget impasses, extremist legislators outperformed centrists in fundraising hauls. The results indicate that polarizing political events can increase the appeal of extreme positions to donors.

This pattern implies an incentive for prolonging political discord among those holding extremist views—a potentially destabilizing outcome given the need for supermajorities.