Incumbency

Incumbency refers to the status of currently holding a political office or position. An incumbent is the individual who is already in office and often seeks reelection. Because they are already established in their role, incumbents typically have advantages like name recognition, existing support networks, and easier access to campaign resources. This tendency makes it more likely for incumbents to win subsequent elections, a phenomenon known as the “incumbency advantage.” Understanding incumbency is important in analyzing election dynamics and political stability within a given office or government position.