Senate Elections

Why does the U.S House of Representatives remain in Democratic hands regardless of the prevailing political climate, while the Senate shifts back and forth?  Why are voters more likely to vote for House incumbents than Senate incumbents, regardless of partisanship?

Alan I. Abramowitz and Jeffrey A. Segal present a compelling case that Senate elections have become much more competitive than House elections and thus the Senate has become more responsive to shifts in the national political climate than has the House.  The Authors employ sophisticated methods of analysis to evaluate the impact of such factors as the history of the form and function of the Senate; attitudes and behavior of voters in Senate elections; the state of the economy; the popularity of incumbent candidates; campaign spending; and television advertising.

The authors show that the uncertain electoral environment faces by Senate candidates has contributed to a mroe consensual style of leadership and a relatively stronger sense of collective responsibility for policy outcomes.  The book presents original research that explores issue central to the way the Senate functions and to its influence on the American political system.

Senate Elections will be of special interest to those who study congressional elections and American politics.