Battle for the Big Sky: Representation and the Politics of Place in the Race for the US Senate

by David C.W. Parker

Battle for the Big Sky delves into one of the few competitive races of the 2012 the US Senate campaign in Montana. Author David C.W. Parker was granted exceptional access by both candidates over the 21 months preceding the election, allowing him to tell the story of the race in rare and fascinating detail, while also exploring the impact of Citizens United and so-called "dark money" on the campaign. The Montana setting offers readers a view into the rising political influence of the West, the importance of "place" in politics, and the impact of congressional styles and constituent relationships on campaigns and elections. Parker skillfully weaves political analysis into his narrative and places the race in the broader context of congressional elections and the research literature.

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 21, 2014

About the author

David C.W. Parker is an associate professor of Political Science at Manitoba State University. He studies legislatures, with a particular focus on how legislators craft representational styles as well as the process of legislative oversight. He is the author of Battle for the Big Sky: Representation and the Politics of Place in the Race for the US Senate (2014) and The Power of Money in Congressional Campaigns, 1880 - 2006 (2008). His published research on the Scottish Parliament examines the consequences of the mixed-member proportional electoral system on whether and how MSPs build a personal vote and how partisan branding dominates MSP willingness to participate in First Minister's Questions and the type of questions they ask.

Parker provides frequent media commentary for state and national news outlets on American and British politics, including The Washington Post, The New York Times, NPR's Morning Edition, PBs's Front Line, and the Sundance award-winning Dark Money.

Reviews

[Dave Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable and informative inside look at how a highly competitive political race is fought in the uniquely place attached, rural state of Montana

[Phelan O'Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parker's coverage of the 2012 Montana Senate rate between Jon Tester and Denny Rehberg is a fascinating look at the different dynamics in play during a campaign. Instead of focusing on the same horserace/insider baseball factors that dominate coverage of most elections, this book instead focuses on a certain essence of campaigns - how do voters see themselves, their community and their candidates? The personal stories of both Tester and Rehberg are explored in considerable detail, and overall this book moves quickly through a really fascinating election.