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Asophomore surge (sometimes referred to in theUnited Kingdom asfirst-term incumbency bonus[1][2]) is a term used in thepolitical science of theUnited States Congress that refers to an increase in votes that congressional candidates (candidates for theHouse of Representatives) usually receive when running for their first re-election. The phrase has been adopted inAustralia bypsephologistMalcolm Mackerras who is well known for hiselectoral pendulums.
This phenomenon first started in the 1960s. As of 1998, freshman candidates running for a second term now get eight to ten percent more votes than when they were elected for their first term.[citation needed] (Over ninety percent of all incumbent House members are reelected.[citation needed])Senate members also currently benefit from a sophomore surge, though it is to a lesser degree.[citation needed]
The reason for the sophomore surge is attributed[by whom?] to the fact that congressmen have figured out how to run personal campaigns rather thanparty campaigns. They use their free, or “franked,” mail; frequent home trips;radio andtelevision broadcasts; and service distribution to theirdistricts to create a good opinion of themselves, not their party, among their constituents.[citation needed]
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