Midterm Wave Elections: The Effects of Candidate Quality and Ideology on Reelection *
@inproceedings{Simpson2011MidtermWE, title={Midterm Wave Elections: The Effects of Candidate Quality and Ideology on Reelection *}, author={Jonathan Simpson}, year={2011} }
The causes of seat change in midterm elections have been debated for decades. Some political scientists believe seat change is caused by heightened national conditions; others argue seat change is a result of conditions within districts. Political scientists agree however that candidate quality affects election outcomes. In general, the party that recruits the highest quality candidates and runs them in the most strategic districts will win the most seats. As this study reveals, when national…
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