Who's "Really" Authentic? The Role of Race, Gender, and Party in Shaping Perceptions of Candidate Authenticity

Multiple studies have determined that voters differentiate between candidates based on perceptions of authenticity, which can be distinguished from other personality traits. This work suggests that perceived candidate authenticity is consequential for voters' evaluations of parties, leaders, and vote intention. We build on and extend this work in two ways: first, by assessing the extent to which these patterns are exhibited in the Canadian context; and second, by extending the analysis to consider the role of other key socio-identity variables in influencing perceptions of candidates. Using an intersectional approach, we analyze the results of an original survey fielded in Canada in the summer of 2024. We look at the extent to which race, gender, and party of Canadian Members of Parliament (MPs) influence voters' perceptions of their authenticity.