American Government / Unit 7 Gov 321 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Incumbency Advantage
Captions available
The idea
Incumbents win congressional re-election at high rates, aided by name recognition, fundraising advantages, and constituent service.
In practice
A sitting member enters the race already known, funded, and credited with casework.
Where people slip
The advantage compounds — safe seats can outlast the opinions that created them.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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