Backgrounding Basics
- Elizabeth Clemons
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 14
Tip Sheet
The Backgrounding Basics tip sheet includes a Timeline & Source List template spreadsheet, an Investigative Checklist and suggested Source List. Use these resources to conduct and track your research so that you can see where events overlap in newsworthy ways and identify sources for interviews.
Make sure to check out the recording of the workshop here, and the MuckRock's tip sheet from the session.
Investigative Checklist & Source List
Always search the Internet and proprietary databases in addition to the sources listed below.
Identifying Information
Some suggested searches:
Some key questions:
What is the candidate’s full name and date of birth?
Has the candidate used any other names, such as a maiden name?
Is the candidate’s name common?
What are all the variations of the candidate’s name?
Primary Residence
Some suggested searches:
County tax assessors
Recorder of deeds
Real estate websites, i.e. Zillow
Some key questions:
Where does the candidate live?
If the candidate leases a residence, who is the landlord?
If the candidate bought the property, who sold it to them?
Is the property encumbered by a large mortgage?
What does the property look like, and what is its setting?
Have any liens been recorded against the property? If so, have they been released?
Does it appear that all of the candidate’s property transactions were conducted consistent with market conditions? (For example, did a candidate buy or rent a house cheaply from a lobbyist? Did a candidate obtain a mortgage on favorable terms from a local bank?)
Is the house or apartment commensurate with the candidate’s income or professional history?
Who pays the property taxes for the residence?
Has the candidate expanded or renovated the house or apartment?
Does the candidate live in his or her state or district?
Who lives with the candidate?
Address History
Some suggested searches:
County tax assessors
Recorder of deeds
Real estate websites, i.e. Zillow
Some key questions:
What other addresses have been associated with the candidate?
In which counties has the candidate lived?
Does the candidate own additional properties?
Has the candidate previously owned other properties? (If so, research the questions above about the previously owned properties as well.)
Can we determine the chronological order of the candidate’s address history, and is it consistent with the candidate’s educational history, professional history, and income?
Marital Status
Some suggested searches:
Some key questions:
What is the candidate’s marital status?
Has the candidate had any previous marriages and/or divorces?
Does the candidate have children?
If the candidate has adult children, what do they do for a living?
If the candidate’s children are in school, is any tuition commensurate with the candidate’s income?
If the candidate is married, what does his or her spouse do for a living?
Immediate Relatives
Some suggested searches:
Some key questions:
Who are the candidate’s other immediate relatives?
Who are the candidate’s parents, and what do they do for a living?
Who are the candidate’s siblings, and what do they do for a living?
Who are the candidate’s siblings-in-law, and what do they do for a living?
Candidate's Stances on Key Issues
Some suggested searches:
Candidate’s campaign website
Some key questions:
What are their stances on various issues?
How do these pertain to the district they are running in?
How have their views changed over time?
If they’ve run for office in a different state or district, what were their stances during that election?
🚨 These Tip Sheets are incredible resources, best used in conjunction with their live, hands-on workshop session component. Workshop recordings are available exclusively for Sunlight Research Center members.
Interested in gaining access to our full database of workshop recordings?
Questions or comments about Sunlight's workshops and resources? Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@sunlightsearch.net
