Challenging the Incumbent: An Underdog's Undertaking / Edition 1

by Edward I. Sidlow

Overview

Courage, commitment, determination, and ego make first-time candidates run… But what does it take to make them win?

Edward Sidlow’s new case study, Challenging the Incumbent: An Underdog’s Undertaking, animates the scholarship on congressional elections as it tells an intimate, behind-the-scenes story of the 2000 congressional race in Illinois’ 8th district. Lance Pressl, a 42-year-old challenger takes on long-time incumbent Phil Crane in a political contest that epitomizes the trials and tribulations confronting those who dare to run against incumbents.

Combining the most recent scholarship on campaigns and elections with an eye-witness account of the day-to-day dynamics of a race, Sidlow documents Pressl’s efforts as he tries to win the support and commitment of his core constituents and powerful political allies. The challenges he faces are legion: Will major demographic changes in the district bode well for Pressl, a moderate Democrat running in a well-established Republican stronghold? Will Pressl’s well-connected personal contacts bring the dollars so critical to his campaign? Will they attract enough media attention? To whom can he turn for sound strategic advice and support? Balancing key issues in electoral politics with a fascinating David-and-Goliath storyline, Sidlow’s study will give students context in which to understand the dynamics—and the vagaries—of House elections.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781568028200
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	10/01/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	148
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Edward Sidlow is a professor of political science at Eastern Michigan University. He received his Ph.D. from Ohio State University. He is author of Challenging the Incumbent: An Underdog’s Undertaking, an introduction to American government text, America at Odds, Fifth Edition (co-written with Beth Henschen). His articles have also appeared in such journals as Policy Studies Review, Journal of Law and Politics, Journal of General Education, Western Political Quarterly, News for Teachers of Political Science, and College Teaching. Sidlow is the recipient of numerous teaching awards.