Wealthy candidates and buying the ballot

Though wealthy candidates could not buy their way into office historically, new political hopefuls like millionaires Meg Whitman and Linda McMahon did very well in their primaries.

Locally, Matt Entenza and Mark Dayton, who won the DFL primary, spent millions of dollars of their own money on their campaigns.

Some experts suggest that anti-incumbent sentiment and the recession have a role in giving the wealthy a political leg up.

Guests

• Sheila Krumholz: Center for Responsive Politics' Executive Director
• Jennifer Steen: assistant professor of Political Science at Arizona State University. Her latest book is called "Self-financed Candidates in Congressional Elections."

Resources

• The Center for Responsive Politics
• About Jennifer Steen