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  1. Home
  2. ›Definitions
  3. ›Elections and the Race
  4. ›Incumbent

Elections and the Race

Incumbent

Officeholder running for reelection.

What this means

An incumbent already holds the seat. FEC and Race candidate records may flag incumbent or challenger status when sources provide it.

Related

  • Election cycle

    Two-year federal campaign period labeled by its election year.

All definitions · Methodology