January 31, 2017 Incumbency Advantages… Objective: Basic understanding of Congress
Incumbency Advantages Objective: …understand the scope and advantages for congressional incumbents
I. Incumbency advantages Gerrymandering: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mky11UJb9AY__ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcUDBgYodIE Reapportionment-10 years (http://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/) Boundaries redrawn WA State: Packing vs. Cracking Effects of Gerrymandering: “Safe” seats Party in power STAYS Strangely-shaped districts Baker v. Carr, 1962-”one man, one vote” Wesberry v. Sanders, 1964 Shaw v. Reno, 1993 Miller v. Johnson, 1995
Gerrymandering: Supreme Court District linesequal population District linescontiguous Cannot dilute racial minority voting “Communities of interest”
II. Basic Characteristics 1. MEMBERSHIP Elite Class Theory 2. COMPENSATION/PERKS 27th amend. Perks: Franking Privilege Junkets Others (healthcare, pension, travel, barber, gym, etc.)
III. Scope of incumbency advantages http://www. cagw III. Scope of incumbency advantages http://www.cagw.org/reporting/pig-book/2016-breakdown Earmarks VS. Pork Permanent Congress Safe Seats II. Advantages Name rec. Staffers Patronage Constituent Work Monetary advantage Weak opp. Gerrymandering (safe seats)