incumbency in congress 2.2

Question 1

what is the average incumbency rate for congress in 2024

Answer 1

HOUSE = 96.6%
SENATE = 88%

Question 2

what are 4 factors for why the incumbency rate for congressional elections is so high

Answer 2

• use of office
• safe seats and gerrymandering
• pork-barrel legislation
• financial advantage

Question 3

how has ‘use of office’ affected the incumbency rate

Answer 3

• Establishing popularity can attract major donors.
• A proven track record inspires trust among voters and donors.

Question 4

how has ‘safe seats and gerrymandering’ affected the incumbency rate

Answer 4

• winner takes all system allows enormous amounts of safe seats
• GERRYMANDERING = lets dominant party create electoral boundaries to favour a certain social group or party.

Question 5

how has ‘pork-barrel legislation’ affected the incumbency rate

Answer 5

• Congress add amendments (earmarks) to legislation that direct financial benefits to their constituencies
• others criticise it as wasteful spending that contributes to the budget deficit
• (2016 Congress approved $475 million for an unwanted navy ship to benefit districts with shipbuilding industries.)

Question 6

how has ‘financial legislation’ affected the incumbency rate

Answer 6

• Incumbents can attract more money than challengers, allowing them to run more successful campaigns.
• Challengers can struggle to gain name recognition