In stephenholzman/tidyfec: Get Campaign Finance Data into R. tidyusafec uses the OpenFEC API.
knitr::opts_chunk$set(
collapse = TRUE,
comment = "#>",
fig.path = "README-"
)
tidyusafec is an R package for accessing campaign finance data through the Federal Election Commission's OpenFEC API. It depends on having R installed (windows | mac), and suggests you also install the integrated development environment RStudio if you are just beginning with R. tidyusafec is an independent open source project under MIT license maintained by Stephen Holzman. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FEC or any of the other software projects mentioned.
0. Ethics and/or Warning
Do your due diligence before publishing data gathered with tidyusafec. While this package eases the technical burden of working with FEC data, it does not do anything to expedite understanding the different products.
This package is still young. As the package author, I'm still double or triple checking numbers with other sources to make sure the numbers I think I have and the numbers I actually have are the same. Even then FEC data has some quirks.
In this early stage, please report unexpected package behavior in an issue on GitHub.
1. Installing
Depending on where R packages are hosted, you can install them from inside R with functions. Use install.packages to get the devtools package from CRAN. Use install_github to get tidyusafec from the Github repository.
install.packages("devtools")
devtools::install_github("stephenholzman/tidyusafec")
Load packages:
library(tidyverse)
library(tidyusafec)
2. API Key
tidyusafec makes it easy to send requests to the FEC website's API for data. Some of the functions can realistically trigger thousands of requests spread out over several minutes. Check your email for an API key and substitute it for YOUR_API_KEY inside these quotes:
save_datagov_apikey(key = "YOUR_API_KEY")
Running this saves the API Key on your machine so tidyusafec functions can use it automatically.
By default, the FEC limits individuals to 1000 requests every hour. This is probably enough for general use like:
-
200 candidate-by-election searches leading to 800 requests for an individual candidate's financial totals per hour
-
100,000 itemized contributions per hour.
If you see yourself going over that limit, you can send APIinfo@fec.gov a request for their 120 calls per minute upgrade.
3. Start With a Search
search_candidates is the most common way to begin an analysis. An example search might look like:
wv_senate <- search_candidates(state = "WV",
election_year = "2018",
office = "S",
unnest_committees = TRUE)
select(wv_senate, -principal_committees, -.) %>%
knitr::kable(format = "html") %>%
kableExtra::kable_styling() %>%
kableExtra::scroll_box(width = "100%", height = "200px")
load_date
last_file_date
candidate_id
election_years
party
candidate_status
office_full
state
federal_funds_flag
has_raised_funds
office
election_districts
name
district_number
cycles
incumbent_challenge
party_full
first_file_date
active_through
incumbent_challenge_full
last_f2_date
district
committee_id
committee_name
treasurer_name
earliest_cycle
latest_cycle
earliest_election_year
latest_election_year
2018-02-22T21:14:12
2017-12-01
S8WV00150
list(2018)
REP
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
BLANKENSHIP, DON
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2017-12-01
2018
Challenger
2017-12-01
00
C00662445
DON BLANKENSHIP FOR U.S. SENATE
BLANKENSHIP, PAULA
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018-02-17T09:16:20
2017-07-12
S8WV00135
list(2018)
REP
N
Senate
WV
FALSE
FALSE
S
list("00")
COPLEY, JIMMY DALE II
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2017-07-12
2018
Challenger
2017-07-12
00
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2018
2018
2018-02-17T09:16:20
2017-05-09
S8WV00127
list(2018)
REP
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
JENKINS, EVAN H
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2017-05-09
2018
Challenger
2017-05-09
00
C00548271
JENKINS FOR SENATE
KILGORE, PAUL A
2014
2018
2018
2018
2018-04-20T21:11:18
2018-04-12
S0WV00090
list(2010, 2012, 2018)
DEM
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00", "00", "00")
MANCHIN III, JOE
0
list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
I
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
2010-07-22
2018
Incumbent
2018-04-12
00
C00486563
MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA
JACK ROSSI
2010
2018
2010
2018
2018-04-24T21:15:20
2018-04-17
S8WV00143
list(2018)
REP
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
MORRISEY, PATRICK MR
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2017-07-17
2018
Challenger
2018-04-17
00
C00651075
MORRISEY FOR SENATE INC
CRATE, BRADLEY MR
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018-03-30T21:07:47
NA
S8WV00168
list(2018)
REP
N
Senate
WV
FALSE
FALSE
S
list("00")
NEWBROUGH, JACK
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
NA
2018
Challenger
NA
00
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2018
2018
2018-02-17T09:16:20
2018-02-03
S8WV00119
list(2018)
DEM
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
SWEARENGIN, PAULA JEAN
0
list(2018)
C
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
2017-05-08
2018
Challenger
2018-02-03
00
C00640219
PAULA SWEARENGIN 2018
TERI DALTON
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018-03-30T21:07:47
NA
S8WV00176
list(2018)
REP
N
Senate
WV
FALSE
FALSE
S
list("00")
WILLIS, THOMAS (TOM)
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
NA
2018
Challenger
NA
00
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2018
2018
Each row returned by search_candidates when unnest_committees = TRUE contains a unique candidate_id + committee_id pair. Candidates just getting started or not raising money may have no committee_id, some candidates may have multiple rows if they changed principal committees for different elections, and most will have one pair. Use unnest_committees = FALSE if you would prefer to keep committee information in a non-tidy list column.
candidate_status is a notable column to filter on and be aware of. It goes by FEC status according to records filed and processed, not necessarily what candidates have announced about their intentions.
Some filter strategies are below, or you could use search_candidates better when you know exactly what you are looking for.
#Just select candidates.
wv_senate %>%
filter(str_detect(name, "MANCHIN|MORRISEY"))
#Candidates who are still current as far as the FEC knows.
wv_senate %>%
filter(candidate_status == "C")
#An alternative search if we know we only want current candidates from the start.
wv_senate <- search_candidates(state = "WV",
election_year = "2018",
office = "S",
candidate_status = "C")
4. Get Financial Data
The results of search_candidates can be piped (using %>%) into one of the appropriate functions that begin with a get_ prefix.
Start by getting financial totals for each candidate.
wv_senate_totals <- wv_senate %>%
get_candidate_totals()
select(wv_senate_totals[1:20,], -principal_committees,-..x,-..y) %>%
knitr::kable(format = "html") %>%
kableExtra::kable_styling() %>%
kableExtra::scroll_box(width = "100%", height = "200px")
candidate_id
coverage_start_date
full_election
coverage_end_date
last_report_year
cycle
last_report_type_full
last_beginning_image_number
type_of_funds
amount
load_date
last_file_date
election_years
party
candidate_status
office_full
state
federal_funds_flag
has_raised_funds
office
election_districts
name
district_number
cycles
incumbent_challenge
party_full
first_file_date
active_through
incumbent_challenge_full
last_f2_date
district
committee_id
committee_name
treasurer_name
earliest_cycle
latest_cycle
earliest_election_year
latest_election_year
S8WV00150
2017-11-28T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201804260200360060
loan_repayments
0
2018-02-22T21:14:12
2017-12-01
list(2018)
REP
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
BLANKENSHIP, DON
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2017-12-01
2018
Challenger
2017-12-01
00
C00662445
DON BLANKENSHIP FOR U.S. SENATE
BLANKENSHIP, PAULA
2018
2018
2018
2018
S8WV00127
2017-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201804260200360145
loan_repayments
0
2018-02-17T09:16:20
2017-05-09
list(2018)
REP
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
JENKINS, EVAN H
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2017-05-09
2018
Challenger
2017-05-09
00
C00548271
JENKINS FOR SENATE
KILGORE, PAUL A
2014
2018
2018
2018
S0WV00090
2013-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201804260200359877
loan_repayments
0
2018-04-20T21:11:18
2018-04-12
list(2010, 2012, 2018)
DEM
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00", "00", "00")
MANCHIN III, JOE
0
list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
I
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
2010-07-22
2018
Incumbent
2018-04-12
00
C00486563
MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA
JACK ROSSI
2010
2018
2010
2018
S0WV00090
2011-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2012-12-31T00:00:00+00:00
2012
2012
YEAR-END
13020044250
loan_repayments
0
2018-04-20T21:11:18
2018-04-12
list(2010, 2012, 2018)
DEM
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00", "00", "00")
MANCHIN III, JOE
0
list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
I
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
2010-07-22
2018
Incumbent
2018-04-12
00
C00486563
MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA
JACK ROSSI
2010
2018
2010
2018
S0WV00090
2010-07-20T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2010-12-31T00:00:00+00:00
2010
2010
YEAR-END
11020020070
loan_repayments
0
2018-04-20T21:11:18
2018-04-12
list(2010, 2012, 2018)
DEM
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00", "00", "00")
MANCHIN III, JOE
0
list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
I
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
2010-07-22
2018
Incumbent
2018-04-12
00
C00486563
MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA
JACK ROSSI
2010
2018
2010
2018
S8WV00143
2017-07-01T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201804260200359778
loan_repayments
0
2018-04-24T21:15:20
2018-04-17
list(2018)
REP
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
MORRISEY, PATRICK MR
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2017-07-17
2018
Challenger
2018-04-17
00
C00651075
MORRISEY FOR SENATE INC
CRATE, BRADLEY MR
2018
2018
2018
2018
S8WV00119
2017-05-14T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201805080200366081
loan_repayments
0
2018-02-17T09:16:20
2018-02-03
list(2018)
DEM
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
SWEARENGIN, PAULA JEAN
0
list(2018)
C
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
2017-05-08
2018
Challenger
2018-02-03
00
C00640219
PAULA SWEARENGIN 2018
TERI DALTON
2018
2018
2018
2018
S8WV00150
2017-11-28T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201804260200360060
last_net_operating_expenditures
1046651
2018-02-22T21:14:12
2017-12-01
list(2018)
REP
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
BLANKENSHIP, DON
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2017-12-01
2018
Challenger
2017-12-01
00
C00662445
DON BLANKENSHIP FOR U.S. SENATE
BLANKENSHIP, PAULA
2018
2018
2018
2018
S8WV00127
2017-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201804260200360145
last_net_operating_expenditures
562043
2018-02-17T09:16:20
2017-05-09
list(2018)
REP
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
JENKINS, EVAN H
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2017-05-09
2018
Challenger
2017-05-09
00
C00548271
JENKINS FOR SENATE
KILGORE, PAUL A
2014
2018
2018
2018
S0WV00090
2013-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201804260200359877
last_net_operating_expenditures
313028
2018-04-20T21:11:18
2018-04-12
list(2010, 2012, 2018)
DEM
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00", "00", "00")
MANCHIN III, JOE
0
list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
I
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
2010-07-22
2018
Incumbent
2018-04-12
00
C00486563
MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA
JACK ROSSI
2010
2018
2010
2018
S0WV00090
2011-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2012-12-31T00:00:00+00:00
2012
2012
YEAR-END
13020044250
last_net_operating_expenditures
-257664
2018-04-20T21:11:18
2018-04-12
list(2010, 2012, 2018)
DEM
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00", "00", "00")
MANCHIN III, JOE
0
list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
I
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
2010-07-22
2018
Incumbent
2018-04-12
00
C00486563
MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA
JACK ROSSI
2010
2018
2010
2018
S0WV00090
2010-07-20T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2010-12-31T00:00:00+00:00
2010
2010
YEAR-END
11020020070
last_net_operating_expenditures
72401
2018-04-20T21:11:18
2018-04-12
list(2010, 2012, 2018)
DEM
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00", "00", "00")
MANCHIN III, JOE
0
list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
I
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
2010-07-22
2018
Incumbent
2018-04-12
00
C00486563
MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA
JACK ROSSI
2010
2018
2010
2018
S8WV00143
2017-07-01T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201804260200359778
last_net_operating_expenditures
554720
2018-04-24T21:15:20
2018-04-17
list(2018)
REP
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
MORRISEY, PATRICK MR
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2017-07-17
2018
Challenger
2018-04-17
00
C00651075
MORRISEY FOR SENATE INC
CRATE, BRADLEY MR
2018
2018
2018
2018
S8WV00119
2017-05-14T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201805080200366081
last_net_operating_expenditures
14217
2018-02-17T09:16:20
2018-02-03
list(2018)
DEM
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
SWEARENGIN, PAULA JEAN
0
list(2018)
C
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
2017-05-08
2018
Challenger
2018-02-03
00
C00640219
PAULA SWEARENGIN 2018
TERI DALTON
2018
2018
2018
2018
S8WV00150
2017-11-28T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201804260200360060
transfers_from_other_authorized_committee
0
2018-02-22T21:14:12
2017-12-01
list(2018)
REP
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
BLANKENSHIP, DON
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2017-12-01
2018
Challenger
2017-12-01
00
C00662445
DON BLANKENSHIP FOR U.S. SENATE
BLANKENSHIP, PAULA
2018
2018
2018
2018
S8WV00127
2017-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201804260200360145
transfers_from_other_authorized_committee
0
2018-02-17T09:16:20
2017-05-09
list(2018)
REP
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
JENKINS, EVAN H
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2017-05-09
2018
Challenger
2017-05-09
00
C00548271
JENKINS FOR SENATE
KILGORE, PAUL A
2014
2018
2018
2018
S0WV00090
2013-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201804260200359877
transfers_from_other_authorized_committee
264342
2018-04-20T21:11:18
2018-04-12
list(2010, 2012, 2018)
DEM
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00", "00", "00")
MANCHIN III, JOE
0
list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
I
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
2010-07-22
2018
Incumbent
2018-04-12
00
C00486563
MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA
JACK ROSSI
2010
2018
2010
2018
S0WV00090
2011-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2012-12-31T00:00:00+00:00
2012
2012
YEAR-END
13020044250
transfers_from_other_authorized_committee
29341
2018-04-20T21:11:18
2018-04-12
list(2010, 2012, 2018)
DEM
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00", "00", "00")
MANCHIN III, JOE
0
list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
I
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
2010-07-22
2018
Incumbent
2018-04-12
00
C00486563
MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA
JACK ROSSI
2010
2018
2010
2018
S0WV00090
2010-07-20T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2010-12-31T00:00:00+00:00
2010
2010
YEAR-END
11020020070
transfers_from_other_authorized_committee
0
2018-04-20T21:11:18
2018-04-12
list(2010, 2012, 2018)
DEM
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00", "00", "00")
MANCHIN III, JOE
0
list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
I
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
2010-07-22
2018
Incumbent
2018-04-12
00
C00486563
MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA
JACK ROSSI
2010
2018
2010
2018
S8WV00143
2017-07-01T00:00:00+00:00
TRUE
2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00
2018
2018
PRE-PRIMARY
201804260200359778
transfers_from_other_authorized_committee
53031
2018-04-24T21:15:20
2018-04-17
list(2018)
REP
C
Senate
WV
FALSE
TRUE
S
list("00")
MORRISEY, PATRICK MR
0
list(2018)
C
REPUBLICAN PARTY
2017-07-17
2018
Challenger
2018-04-17
00
C00651075
MORRISEY FOR SENATE INC
CRATE, BRADLEY MR
2018
2018
2018
2018
The tibbles returned by get_ functions are tidy (except for some list columns that remain while developing the package). This makes it possible to cleanly pipe results into existing tidyverse tools with minimal data wrangling.
wv_senate_totals %>%
filter(type_of_funds == "receipts",
cycle == 2018) %>%
ggplot() +
geom_bar(aes(x = name, y = amount), stat = "identity") +
coord_flip()
ggsave(filename = "receipts-total-example.png", width = 9, height = 5)
A list is available called tidyusafec_filters that contain useful vectors to filter on. For example:
wv_senate_totals %>%
filter(str_detect(name, "MANCHIN|MORRISEY"),
type_of_funds %in% tidyusafec_filters$candidate_totals$type_of_funds$receipts_smallest_components) %>%
mutate(type_of_funds = type_of_funds %>%
str_replace_all("_"," ") %>%
str_to_title()
) %>%
ggplot() +
geom_bar(aes(x = name, y = amount), stat = "identity") +
facet_wrap(~type_of_funds,labeller = label_wrap_gen(width=15)) +
coord_flip()
ggsave(filename = "receipts-by-type-total-example.png", width = 11, height = 5)
stephenholzman/tidyfec documentation built on Aug. 1, 2020, 9:35 p.m.
R Package Documentation
Browse R Packages
We want your feedback!
Note that we can't provide technical support on individual packages. You should contact the package authors for that.
knitr::opts_chunk$set( collapse = TRUE, comment = "#>", fig.path = "README-" )
tidyusafec is an R package for accessing campaign finance data through the Federal Election Commission's OpenFEC API. It depends on having R installed (windows | mac), and suggests you also install the integrated development environment RStudio if you are just beginning with R. tidyusafec is an independent open source project under MIT license maintained by Stephen Holzman. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FEC or any of the other software projects mentioned.
0. Ethics and/or Warning
Do your due diligence before publishing data gathered with tidyusafec. While this package eases the technical burden of working with FEC data, it does not do anything to expedite understanding the different products.
This package is still young. As the package author, I'm still double or triple checking numbers with other sources to make sure the numbers I think I have and the numbers I actually have are the same. Even then FEC data has some quirks.
In this early stage, please report unexpected package behavior in an issue on GitHub.
1. Installing
Depending on where R packages are hosted, you can install them from inside R with functions. Use install.packages to get the devtools package from CRAN. Use install_github to get tidyusafec from the Github repository.
install.packages("devtools") devtools::install_github("stephenholzman/tidyusafec")
Load packages:
library(tidyverse) library(tidyusafec)
2. API Key
tidyusafec makes it easy to send requests to the FEC website's API for data. Some of the functions can realistically trigger thousands of requests spread out over several minutes. Check your email for an API key and substitute it for YOUR_API_KEY inside these quotes:
save_datagov_apikey(key = "YOUR_API_KEY")
Running this saves the API Key on your machine so tidyusafec functions can use it automatically.
By default, the FEC limits individuals to 1000 requests every hour. This is probably enough for general use like:
-
200 candidate-by-election searches leading to 800 requests for an individual candidate's financial totals per hour
-
100,000 itemized contributions per hour.
If you see yourself going over that limit, you can send APIinfo@fec.gov a request for their 120 calls per minute upgrade.
3. Start With a Search
search_candidates is the most common way to begin an analysis. An example search might look like:
wv_senate <- search_candidates(state = "WV", election_year = "2018", office = "S", unnest_committees = TRUE)
select(wv_senate, -principal_committees, -.) %>% knitr::kable(format = "html") %>% kableExtra::kable_styling() %>% kableExtra::scroll_box(width = "100%", height = "200px")
| load_date | last_file_date | candidate_id | election_years | party | candidate_status | office_full | state | federal_funds_flag | has_raised_funds | office | election_districts | name | district_number | cycles | incumbent_challenge | party_full | first_file_date | active_through | incumbent_challenge_full | last_f2_date | district | committee_id | committee_name | treasurer_name | earliest_cycle | latest_cycle | earliest_election_year | latest_election_year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-02-22T21:14:12 | 2017-12-01 | S8WV00150 | list(2018) | REP | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | BLANKENSHIP, DON | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | 2017-12-01 | 2018 | Challenger | 2017-12-01 | 00 | C00662445 | DON BLANKENSHIP FOR U.S. SENATE | BLANKENSHIP, PAULA | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| 2018-02-17T09:16:20 | 2017-07-12 | S8WV00135 | list(2018) | REP | N | Senate | WV | FALSE | FALSE | S | list("00") | COPLEY, JIMMY DALE II | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | 2017-07-12 | 2018 | Challenger | 2017-07-12 | 00 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 2018 | 2018 |
| 2018-02-17T09:16:20 | 2017-05-09 | S8WV00127 | list(2018) | REP | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | JENKINS, EVAN H | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | 2017-05-09 | 2018 | Challenger | 2017-05-09 | 00 | C00548271 | JENKINS FOR SENATE | KILGORE, PAUL A | 2014 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| 2018-04-20T21:11:18 | 2018-04-12 | S0WV00090 | list(2010, 2012, 2018) | DEM | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00", "00", "00") | MANCHIN III, JOE | 0 | list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018) | I | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | 2010-07-22 | 2018 | Incumbent | 2018-04-12 | 00 | C00486563 | MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA | JACK ROSSI | 2010 | 2018 | 2010 | 2018 |
| 2018-04-24T21:15:20 | 2018-04-17 | S8WV00143 | list(2018) | REP | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | MORRISEY, PATRICK MR | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | 2017-07-17 | 2018 | Challenger | 2018-04-17 | 00 | C00651075 | MORRISEY FOR SENATE INC | CRATE, BRADLEY MR | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| 2018-03-30T21:07:47 | NA | S8WV00168 | list(2018) | REP | N | Senate | WV | FALSE | FALSE | S | list("00") | NEWBROUGH, JACK | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | NA | 2018 | Challenger | NA | 00 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 2018 | 2018 |
| 2018-02-17T09:16:20 | 2018-02-03 | S8WV00119 | list(2018) | DEM | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | SWEARENGIN, PAULA JEAN | 0 | list(2018) | C | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | 2017-05-08 | 2018 | Challenger | 2018-02-03 | 00 | C00640219 | PAULA SWEARENGIN 2018 | TERI DALTON | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| 2018-03-30T21:07:47 | NA | S8WV00176 | list(2018) | REP | N | Senate | WV | FALSE | FALSE | S | list("00") | WILLIS, THOMAS (TOM) | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | NA | 2018 | Challenger | NA | 00 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 2018 | 2018 |
Each row returned by search_candidates when unnest_committees = TRUE contains a unique candidate_id + committee_id pair. Candidates just getting started or not raising money may have no committee_id, some candidates may have multiple rows if they changed principal committees for different elections, and most will have one pair. Use unnest_committees = FALSE if you would prefer to keep committee information in a non-tidy list column.
candidate_status is a notable column to filter on and be aware of. It goes by FEC status according to records filed and processed, not necessarily what candidates have announced about their intentions.
Some filter strategies are below, or you could use search_candidates better when you know exactly what you are looking for.
#Just select candidates. wv_senate %>% filter(str_detect(name, "MANCHIN|MORRISEY")) #Candidates who are still current as far as the FEC knows. wv_senate %>% filter(candidate_status == "C") #An alternative search if we know we only want current candidates from the start. wv_senate <- search_candidates(state = "WV", election_year = "2018", office = "S", candidate_status = "C")
4. Get Financial Data
The results of search_candidates can be piped (using %>%) into one of the appropriate functions that begin with a get_ prefix.
Start by getting financial totals for each candidate.
wv_senate_totals <- wv_senate %>% get_candidate_totals()
select(wv_senate_totals[1:20,], -principal_committees,-..x,-..y) %>% knitr::kable(format = "html") %>% kableExtra::kable_styling() %>% kableExtra::scroll_box(width = "100%", height = "200px")
| candidate_id | coverage_start_date | full_election | coverage_end_date | last_report_year | cycle | last_report_type_full | last_beginning_image_number | type_of_funds | amount | load_date | last_file_date | election_years | party | candidate_status | office_full | state | federal_funds_flag | has_raised_funds | office | election_districts | name | district_number | cycles | incumbent_challenge | party_full | first_file_date | active_through | incumbent_challenge_full | last_f2_date | district | committee_id | committee_name | treasurer_name | earliest_cycle | latest_cycle | earliest_election_year | latest_election_year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S8WV00150 | 2017-11-28T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201804260200360060 | loan_repayments | 0 | 2018-02-22T21:14:12 | 2017-12-01 | list(2018) | REP | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | BLANKENSHIP, DON | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | 2017-12-01 | 2018 | Challenger | 2017-12-01 | 00 | C00662445 | DON BLANKENSHIP FOR U.S. SENATE | BLANKENSHIP, PAULA | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| S8WV00127 | 2017-01-01T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201804260200360145 | loan_repayments | 0 | 2018-02-17T09:16:20 | 2017-05-09 | list(2018) | REP | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | JENKINS, EVAN H | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | 2017-05-09 | 2018 | Challenger | 2017-05-09 | 00 | C00548271 | JENKINS FOR SENATE | KILGORE, PAUL A | 2014 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| S0WV00090 | 2013-01-01T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201804260200359877 | loan_repayments | 0 | 2018-04-20T21:11:18 | 2018-04-12 | list(2010, 2012, 2018) | DEM | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00", "00", "00") | MANCHIN III, JOE | 0 | list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018) | I | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | 2010-07-22 | 2018 | Incumbent | 2018-04-12 | 00 | C00486563 | MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA | JACK ROSSI | 2010 | 2018 | 2010 | 2018 |
| S0WV00090 | 2011-01-01T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2012-12-31T00:00:00+00:00 | 2012 | 2012 | YEAR-END | 13020044250 | loan_repayments | 0 | 2018-04-20T21:11:18 | 2018-04-12 | list(2010, 2012, 2018) | DEM | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00", "00", "00") | MANCHIN III, JOE | 0 | list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018) | I | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | 2010-07-22 | 2018 | Incumbent | 2018-04-12 | 00 | C00486563 | MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA | JACK ROSSI | 2010 | 2018 | 2010 | 2018 |
| S0WV00090 | 2010-07-20T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2010-12-31T00:00:00+00:00 | 2010 | 2010 | YEAR-END | 11020020070 | loan_repayments | 0 | 2018-04-20T21:11:18 | 2018-04-12 | list(2010, 2012, 2018) | DEM | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00", "00", "00") | MANCHIN III, JOE | 0 | list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018) | I | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | 2010-07-22 | 2018 | Incumbent | 2018-04-12 | 00 | C00486563 | MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA | JACK ROSSI | 2010 | 2018 | 2010 | 2018 |
| S8WV00143 | 2017-07-01T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201804260200359778 | loan_repayments | 0 | 2018-04-24T21:15:20 | 2018-04-17 | list(2018) | REP | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | MORRISEY, PATRICK MR | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | 2017-07-17 | 2018 | Challenger | 2018-04-17 | 00 | C00651075 | MORRISEY FOR SENATE INC | CRATE, BRADLEY MR | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| S8WV00119 | 2017-05-14T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201805080200366081 | loan_repayments | 0 | 2018-02-17T09:16:20 | 2018-02-03 | list(2018) | DEM | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | SWEARENGIN, PAULA JEAN | 0 | list(2018) | C | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | 2017-05-08 | 2018 | Challenger | 2018-02-03 | 00 | C00640219 | PAULA SWEARENGIN 2018 | TERI DALTON | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| S8WV00150 | 2017-11-28T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201804260200360060 | last_net_operating_expenditures | 1046651 | 2018-02-22T21:14:12 | 2017-12-01 | list(2018) | REP | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | BLANKENSHIP, DON | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | 2017-12-01 | 2018 | Challenger | 2017-12-01 | 00 | C00662445 | DON BLANKENSHIP FOR U.S. SENATE | BLANKENSHIP, PAULA | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| S8WV00127 | 2017-01-01T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201804260200360145 | last_net_operating_expenditures | 562043 | 2018-02-17T09:16:20 | 2017-05-09 | list(2018) | REP | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | JENKINS, EVAN H | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | 2017-05-09 | 2018 | Challenger | 2017-05-09 | 00 | C00548271 | JENKINS FOR SENATE | KILGORE, PAUL A | 2014 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| S0WV00090 | 2013-01-01T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201804260200359877 | last_net_operating_expenditures | 313028 | 2018-04-20T21:11:18 | 2018-04-12 | list(2010, 2012, 2018) | DEM | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00", "00", "00") | MANCHIN III, JOE | 0 | list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018) | I | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | 2010-07-22 | 2018 | Incumbent | 2018-04-12 | 00 | C00486563 | MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA | JACK ROSSI | 2010 | 2018 | 2010 | 2018 |
| S0WV00090 | 2011-01-01T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2012-12-31T00:00:00+00:00 | 2012 | 2012 | YEAR-END | 13020044250 | last_net_operating_expenditures | -257664 | 2018-04-20T21:11:18 | 2018-04-12 | list(2010, 2012, 2018) | DEM | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00", "00", "00") | MANCHIN III, JOE | 0 | list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018) | I | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | 2010-07-22 | 2018 | Incumbent | 2018-04-12 | 00 | C00486563 | MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA | JACK ROSSI | 2010 | 2018 | 2010 | 2018 |
| S0WV00090 | 2010-07-20T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2010-12-31T00:00:00+00:00 | 2010 | 2010 | YEAR-END | 11020020070 | last_net_operating_expenditures | 72401 | 2018-04-20T21:11:18 | 2018-04-12 | list(2010, 2012, 2018) | DEM | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00", "00", "00") | MANCHIN III, JOE | 0 | list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018) | I | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | 2010-07-22 | 2018 | Incumbent | 2018-04-12 | 00 | C00486563 | MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA | JACK ROSSI | 2010 | 2018 | 2010 | 2018 |
| S8WV00143 | 2017-07-01T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201804260200359778 | last_net_operating_expenditures | 554720 | 2018-04-24T21:15:20 | 2018-04-17 | list(2018) | REP | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | MORRISEY, PATRICK MR | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | 2017-07-17 | 2018 | Challenger | 2018-04-17 | 00 | C00651075 | MORRISEY FOR SENATE INC | CRATE, BRADLEY MR | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| S8WV00119 | 2017-05-14T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201805080200366081 | last_net_operating_expenditures | 14217 | 2018-02-17T09:16:20 | 2018-02-03 | list(2018) | DEM | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | SWEARENGIN, PAULA JEAN | 0 | list(2018) | C | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | 2017-05-08 | 2018 | Challenger | 2018-02-03 | 00 | C00640219 | PAULA SWEARENGIN 2018 | TERI DALTON | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| S8WV00150 | 2017-11-28T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201804260200360060 | transfers_from_other_authorized_committee | 0 | 2018-02-22T21:14:12 | 2017-12-01 | list(2018) | REP | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | BLANKENSHIP, DON | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | 2017-12-01 | 2018 | Challenger | 2017-12-01 | 00 | C00662445 | DON BLANKENSHIP FOR U.S. SENATE | BLANKENSHIP, PAULA | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| S8WV00127 | 2017-01-01T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201804260200360145 | transfers_from_other_authorized_committee | 0 | 2018-02-17T09:16:20 | 2017-05-09 | list(2018) | REP | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | JENKINS, EVAN H | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | 2017-05-09 | 2018 | Challenger | 2017-05-09 | 00 | C00548271 | JENKINS FOR SENATE | KILGORE, PAUL A | 2014 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| S0WV00090 | 2013-01-01T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201804260200359877 | transfers_from_other_authorized_committee | 264342 | 2018-04-20T21:11:18 | 2018-04-12 | list(2010, 2012, 2018) | DEM | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00", "00", "00") | MANCHIN III, JOE | 0 | list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018) | I | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | 2010-07-22 | 2018 | Incumbent | 2018-04-12 | 00 | C00486563 | MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA | JACK ROSSI | 2010 | 2018 | 2010 | 2018 |
| S0WV00090 | 2011-01-01T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2012-12-31T00:00:00+00:00 | 2012 | 2012 | YEAR-END | 13020044250 | transfers_from_other_authorized_committee | 29341 | 2018-04-20T21:11:18 | 2018-04-12 | list(2010, 2012, 2018) | DEM | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00", "00", "00") | MANCHIN III, JOE | 0 | list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018) | I | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | 2010-07-22 | 2018 | Incumbent | 2018-04-12 | 00 | C00486563 | MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA | JACK ROSSI | 2010 | 2018 | 2010 | 2018 |
| S0WV00090 | 2010-07-20T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2010-12-31T00:00:00+00:00 | 2010 | 2010 | YEAR-END | 11020020070 | transfers_from_other_authorized_committee | 0 | 2018-04-20T21:11:18 | 2018-04-12 | list(2010, 2012, 2018) | DEM | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00", "00", "00") | MANCHIN III, JOE | 0 | list(2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018) | I | DEMOCRATIC PARTY | 2010-07-22 | 2018 | Incumbent | 2018-04-12 | 00 | C00486563 | MANCHIN FOR WEST VIRGINIA | JACK ROSSI | 2010 | 2018 | 2010 | 2018 |
| S8WV00143 | 2017-07-01T00:00:00+00:00 | TRUE | 2018-04-18T00:00:00+00:00 | 2018 | 2018 | PRE-PRIMARY | 201804260200359778 | transfers_from_other_authorized_committee | 53031 | 2018-04-24T21:15:20 | 2018-04-17 | list(2018) | REP | C | Senate | WV | FALSE | TRUE | S | list("00") | MORRISEY, PATRICK MR | 0 | list(2018) | C | REPUBLICAN PARTY | 2017-07-17 | 2018 | Challenger | 2018-04-17 | 00 | C00651075 | MORRISEY FOR SENATE INC | CRATE, BRADLEY MR | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
The tibbles returned by get_ functions are tidy (except for some list columns that remain while developing the package). This makes it possible to cleanly pipe results into existing tidyverse tools with minimal data wrangling.
wv_senate_totals %>% filter(type_of_funds == "receipts", cycle == 2018) %>% ggplot() + geom_bar(aes(x = name, y = amount), stat = "identity") + coord_flip()
ggsave(filename = "receipts-total-example.png", width = 9, height = 5)
A list is available called tidyusafec_filters that contain useful vectors to filter on. For example:
wv_senate_totals %>% filter(str_detect(name, "MANCHIN|MORRISEY"), type_of_funds %in% tidyusafec_filters$candidate_totals$type_of_funds$receipts_smallest_components) %>% mutate(type_of_funds = type_of_funds %>% str_replace_all("_"," ") %>% str_to_title() ) %>% ggplot() + geom_bar(aes(x = name, y = amount), stat = "identity") + facet_wrap(~type_of_funds,labeller = label_wrap_gen(width=15)) + coord_flip()
ggsave(filename = "receipts-by-type-total-example.png", width = 11, height = 5)
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