Why do incumbents have the advantage under the current system?
A. An overwhelming proportion of special interest contributions goes to candidates who already are in office, especially those whose seniority and influence can make them important individuals to have on your side. In 1996 general election contests, Republican incumbents in the House of Representatives outspent their challengers by nearly an eight-to-one margin. For Democrats, the margin was four to one. Critics of the current system believe that the huge war chests built up by sitting lawmakers stifle competition and scare away potential challengers who can’t afford the TV time they need to become known among voters. The incumbent advantage can have a particularly harmful effect on the candidacies of minorities and women seeking to break through the “glass ceiling” that traditionally has stood in the way of their political involvement. Q. What are the rules governing campaign contributions and spending today? A. The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) places monetary limits on contri
