Nelson Chapter 7

Question 1

Key trends in 2016 House Elections, why a 6+D shift?

Answer 1

1. Solid Republican majority, only lost 6 of 247 open seats.
2. Advantages with Republicans being more dispersed, few competitive districts, gerrymandering/incumbency.

Question 2

Electoral Coalitions of Presidential/House candidates, similarities/differences (Table 7.4)

Answer 2

1. The coalitions/voting demographics are virtually the same for House and Presidential races
2. Differences come through gender, martial status, race, and religion are relatively small

Question 3

Key trends in 2016 Senate elections, why small shift to Democrats?

Answer 3

1. Democrats outspend their Republicans counterparts and worked hard in several contested elections
2. Only picked up two seats

Question 4

Significance of Figure 7.5 and 2016 Senate Results

Answer 4

1. Every Senate contest was won by the party that one the state’s electoral votes
2. Very much identical to voting patterns, the first time this happened in U.S. political history

Question 5

Demographics of 115th Congress and implications for U.S. politics of these patterns

Answer 5

1. Still very much divided despite Republicans holding both halves of Congress
2. Divisions exist between Trump and conservative allies
3. Diverse Democratic house