Incumbency advantages refer to the benefits and privileges enjoyed by politicians who are already in office. These advantages include name recognition, access to campaign funds, and the ability to use government resources for reelection purposes.
Related terms
Gerrymandering: Gerrymandering is the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one political party. It can be used by incumbents to create safe districts where they are more likely to win.
Pork Barrel Spending: Pork barrel spending refers to the allocation of government funds for local projects that primarily benefit a specific politician's constituents. This allows incumbents to showcase their accomplishments and gain support from voters.
Franking Privilege: The franking privilege allows members of Congress to send mailings at no cost using their signature instead of postage stamps. Incumbents often use this privilege for sending out newsletters and promotional materials, which helps them stay connected with constituents during election campaigns.