In our term limits section, we noted that incumbents – people currently in office – usually run for re-election until they reach their term limit.  (Currently in NYC, all incumbents but 1 are running for re-election.)

Political common concept: the power of incumbency is strong. Why?

•   Incumbents have experience in the job (as do other candidates who’ve served in office before) – so they understand, hands-on, the politics, opportunities, limitations, and relationships that come into play.

•   Incumbents, if re-elected, would have more seniority than new-comers. In politics, especially at the legislative level, seniority is often considered a way to measure an official’s power. Even when constituents do not like how an office or legislature is operating, they want their official to have seniority, so they can get more benefits for the community.

•   Incumbents often take in more campaign funds than their competitors. Because lobbyists try to sway elected officials, incumbents likely will have received campaign funds from lobbyists during their time in office – often more than their challengers.

•   Incumbents can often control the news narrative better than their competitors. As an elected official, they can accomplish things on behalf of constituents now, while they are running, and not just talk about what they would do in office. (On the flip-side, because an incumbent has a record in office, constituents can know if she/he has lived up to their promises and performs well.)

Even with “the power of incumbency,” our individual power as voters is stronger!

You might think your incumbent is doing a great job, or you may not be so thrilled with their work. Just because some think an incumbent automatically has power, it doesn’t mean that the incumbent is the best person for the job.

That is up to us to decide, and one of the reasons that CJ posts job descriptions next to every elected office.

If someone is running against the incumbent – whether they get a lot of money or press – there is still, in fact, competition.

It is up to us as voters to go beyond the advertisements and endorsements, to research these candidates and find out who we individually think is the best candidate, and cast that vote!

Want a quick way to see which incumbents are running for reelection?

We’ve distilled it for you! Check out our graphics and explanatory diagrams here.