Incumbents have several advantages over opponents in elections. First, they simply have better name recognition, people have heard of them. They often have more campaign funds. They also have credit claiming opportunities. If they've benefitted their constituencies by getting a project done, they can claim credit for that. Or they can claim credit for casework, doing favors for individuals like cutting through bureaucratic red tape. Some political theorists also believe they run against weaker opponents, because stronger opponents don't want to run against them.
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Three advantages of incumbency are 1. The presidents are already known in the political spectrum 2. They have rather no trouble running and funding their campaigns and 3. They have safe seats due to their experience and sometimes district advantage due to their parties control over a certain area that favors their political party. Some of the advantages an incumbent may have are franking privilege, staffers, patronage, name recognition, casework, and money (especially from PAC's).
Incumbents.
Yes.
PACs tend to give more money to incumbents because incumbents have a higher likelihood of winning reelection. PACs want to support candidates who are already in power and have a proven track record of supporting their interests. Additionally, supporting incumbents can help PACs maintain access and influence in policymaking processes.
Political parties work to reelect incumbents. This includes the politicians as well as the average voter who wants his guy to win.
more than 85% of PAC contributions in recent elections have gone to incumbents
Incumbents have run in seven of the last twelve presidential elections.
incumbents running for re-elections
It seems that a majority of voters tend to vote for incumbents no matter how wretchedly evil those incumbents are.
campaign spending tends to be gratly more important .