Chapter 8 Campaigns and Elections

How Democratic Are U.S. Elections? Are American elections truly democratic? Americans vote more often than the citizens of most democracies. Americans vote for more offices—from state judges to school board members—than the people in other democracies. Some critics suggest we vote on too many offices. The most familiar question about American democracy today fixates on the role of money in election campaigns. PACs, super PACs, and 527s have become fixtures in national elections. Recent court decisions have significantly expanded the ability of wealthy donors and outside groups to spend large sums in support of their preferred candidates, party, and causes.

Presidential Campaigns and Elections Presidential elections, despite their grueling intensity and duration, attract many aspirants every four years. Nearly all of the serious candidates are experienced politicians. Senators tend to run most frequently, but vice presidents and governors are the likeliest party nominees in recent decades. Since 1976, governors have won most often. No candidate without any experience in the public sector has ever won—until Donald Trump. The three phases of the campaign—nominating process, party conventions, and general election—require different political strategies. Election outcomes are influenced by many factors. Notable among them: economic performance, war and peace, domestic issues, advisers and organization, the coalition of supporters, and the candidate’s own personality and performance. Add to this the role of accident and luck, and election outcomes are difficult to predict.

Congressional Elections Every two years, all 435 House seats and a third of the Senate seats are up for election. Few restrictions govern who may run—and some candidates are true characters. House and Senate incumbents have powerful built-in advantages when running for re-election. The president’s party generally loses House and Senate seats during the midterm election following the president’s victory. Presidents who declare war also tend to see their party lose seats in the subsequent election. Decennial redistricting of House seats can result in some strangely shaped—and politically motivated—districts, known as gerrymanders. Redistricting tends to further increase the advantage of incumbency.

How to Run for Congress To run successfully for Congress, follow a few vital steps: raise sufficient funds (then raise more), organize a talented and loyal team, develop a strategy that plays to your strengths, and hone your message. If you and your team do a splendid job and luck is on your side, you may be a first-time congressional victor; well done! Next up: starting all over again, with a new campaign.