How effective are political endorsements?

De Pere, Wis. (WFRV) - During this time of year,  candidates in all of the big races are collecting endorsements. But what exactly do these endorsements mean for the candidates and for voters?

Just this week Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett nabbed the support of outgoing Senator Herb Kohl.

"I have tremendous confidence in Tom's ability to be an outstanding governor," said Sen. Kohl.
 

Democratic challenger Kathleen Falk is already backed by state labor unions, and Governor Scott Walker has the support of the Milwaukee police and fire unions.

So, do these endorsements play a part in how you'll vote in the upcoming recall elections?

"Not really," said voter Matt Christoff. "I tend to look more towards what my values are and if they line up with the candidate and I vote that way."

"I just kind of focus on my particular beliefs," voter Ryan Penkal said.

But some political experts say research shows getting a stamp of approval does help a candidate's campaign.

"What we tend to see is that because most voters are working with less than complete information to make their choices, they have to rely on others to make their decisions," explained Charley Jacobs, with the St. Norbert College Political Science Department. "And if they belong to organizations or they belong to a particular party or have supported an individual in the past, they take that elite opinion as a surrogate for what they would know if they had more complete information."

Endorsements also tend to equal more money for campaigns.

Jacobs said most endorsements don't come until right before the election or even on election day, and that's when they're most effective.

"It will sway those moderate or undecided voters in ways that you won't see earlier in the election cycle," added Jacobs.