Incumbency Advantage
INCUMBENTS IN 2010 INCUMBENTS IN 2012
House 87% House 91%
Senate 84% Senate 91%
• Rep. Harris (R– 1st): 67%Rep. Ruppersberger (D– 2nd): 66%
Rep. Sarbanes (D– 3rd): 67% Rep. Edwards (D– 4th): 77%
Rep. Hoyer (D– 5th): 62%Rep. Bartlett (R– 6th): 38%
Rep. Cummings (D– 7th): 76%Rep. Van Hollen (D– 8th): 63%
*Safe District: One party is heavily favored due to
gerrymandering.
Average House Member's Annual Budget: $1.4-$1.7 million.
Budget pays for such things as: staff salaries, district office expenses, and frank mail.
Reasons for Incumbency Advantage
Name RecognitionFundraising (Campaign
Contributions)Redistricting (2010 Incumbent
Results)ExperienceConstituent Services
Use of staff for CASEWORK Pork barrel/earmarks Frank mailing (Frank Mail)
Reasons Incumbents Lose
Redistricting efforts
Scandals
Presidential Coattails
Midterm Elections
“House and Senate” Ross K. Baker
What are some of the reasons why it is easier to win reelection in the House?
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