In this paper we examine the role of out-group signals and in-group leader tactics in the choice and evaluation of rival in-group leader candidates. Four on-line surveys were conducted using qualtrics. Each of these surveys is included in the dataset. Also included are the SPSS data files for each of the four studies as well as a syntax file which provides the syntax for the coding and transformations of items used in the analyses for the four studies. Further information on the analyses conducted specifically for this paper are found in the paper itself.