Incumbent, Incumbency

An incumbent politician, or one achieving the status of incumbency, is an individual who currently holds political office. Often compared to the status of a challenger candidate or candidates involved in incumbent/ challenger races (open races), the incumbent candidate has been described as having distinct communicative campaign styles. Despite the findings of any particular sample of scholarship or the outcome of a specific campaign, Judith Trent and Robert Friedenberg (2004) contend that “styles (incumbency, challenger, and incumbent/challenger) are a product of whatever candidates and their staffs believe is needed at a particular time within the context of their particular campaign.” Consequently, various campaign strategies may be used by any candidate throughout the campaign regardless of any official classification. These communicative strategies may be found in the various campaign practices used, including public address, political advertisements, the Internet, and so on.

One of the prominent advantages of incumbency becomes evident when facing a challenger who has limited public exposure and inadequate financial support. Officeholders benefit from the symbols of incumbency, which routinely illustrate candidates' qualifications, serving as reminders for constituents that a candidate is in office. Trent and Friedenberg identify four prominent symbolic strategies of incumbents at the presidential level (this categorization is useful at other levels of office as well): symbolic trappings of office, legitimacy of the office, competency and the office, and charisma and the office. Ever present in the physical offices or structures from which they conduct business, the incumbent politician is shown among the symbolic trappings that suggest leadership and importance. With respect to legitimacy of the office, incumbents are seen holding official meetings, signing legislation, or simply helping their constituencies, all from the perspective that they were elected to serve in office and, thus, are legitimate candidates for reelection. Whereas symbolic trappings and legitimacy of office enhance the public image of a candidate, competency and charisma of the office promote the office held. Once in office the elected official is directed by the competency associated with the office. As the president of the United States is often referred to as the “leader of the free world,” the person elected can readily assume that characteristic. Furthermore, charisma and the office recognizes the fundamental influence the office has in relation to the public. Political campaigns and incumbent politicians attract public attention. Campaign stops during fairs, parades, or political rallies capture the awe of the public—the ability to see, hear, or participate in these events through the media, if not in person, captures the charisma of the office and, thus, may benefit the incumbent candidate.