The Impact of Incumbent Scandals on Senate Elections, 1974-2008

Long, Nicholas Chad

Abstract

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The Impact of Incumbent Scandals on Senate Elections, 1974-2008

Nicholas Chad Long

St. Edward's University

March 16, 2011

Western Political Science Association 2011 Annual Meeting Paper

Abstract:
Conventional wisdom is that one of the few things that can counter the incumbency advantage in congressional elections is when an incumbent is embroiled in a scandal. However, there is little research that directly examines the impact of incumbent scandals on the electoral process. This paper intends to provide a basic foundation upon which future research can proceed. I categorize the types of scandals; their effect on campaign expenditures; the quality of challengers they attract; and their effect on the percentage of the vote received by incumbents.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 29

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Date posted: February 22, 2011 ; Last revised: March 17, 2011

Suggested Citation

Long, Nicholas Chad, The Impact of Incumbent Scandals on Senate Elections, 1974-2008 (March 16, 2011). Western Political Science Association 2011 Annual Meeting Paper . Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1767272

Contact Information

Nicholas Chad Long (Contact Author)

St. Edward's University ( email )

3001 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
United States
512-428-1086 (Phone)