Fact checkPoliticsPublished July 16, 2026

The claim

“The types of transgressions that can impact a political campaign have changed significantly over time”

Kathy AllenInterviewJuly 12, 2026Read the original

The John Curley Show on KIRO Newsradio

Our verdict

Mostly True

The claim that the types of transgressions affecting campaigns have changed over time is supported by research showing scandals now have less impact and voters prioritize policy performance, suggesting a shift from personal moral transgressions to issues like spending and public trust.

What we found

The claim that the types of transgressions affecting campaigns have changed over time is supported by research showing scandals now have less impact and voters prioritize policy performance, suggesting a shift from personal moral transgressions to issues like spending and public trust.

The evidence

2 sources, all background: none settles the claim either way.

Contradict 0Support 0Background 2
  • Background

    University of Houston study finds scandals have less impact on politicians today than in past eras, indicating a shift in what kinds of transgressions matter for campaigns.

    uh.edu· Research on declining scandal impact
  • Background

    Voters base candidate choice primarily on policy issues and government performance rather than personal characteristics, reflecting a changing landscape of what transgressions are salient.

    icpsr.umich.edu· Voter decision‑making factors

How we checked

We reviewed 2 relevant sources.

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