Malcolm Rivera
A person who currently holds an office is called an incumbent. This term is used primarily in political contexts to describe those currently serving in a position of power or responsibility during elections. Incumbents are often seeking to retain their position, while candidates are individuals running for an office but do not yet hold that position. At a local government level, workers are often referred to as government officers or office staff.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Term | Incumbent |
| Term Usage | Used in political contexts to describe those currently serving in a specific role during elections |
| Term Usage | Used to describe a person in a position of power or responsibility |
| Term Usage | Used to describe a person in a position of authority within a governmental structure |
| Term Usage | Used to describe a person who is seeking to retain their position |
| Synonyms | Official, officer, administrator, functionary, executive, public servant, manager, director, commissioner, bureaucrat |
| Synonyms (Local Government) | Government official, civil servant, office staff, office clerk |
| Synonyms (Local Government) | Government officer |
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What You'll Learn
Incumbents are current officeholders
In the context of a presidential election, the sitting president running for re-election is considered an incumbent. A senator or congressperson completing their term and seeking another term also holds the title of incumbent. The term is opposed to "candidate", which refers to a person who is running for office but does not currently hold that position. Incumbents are often seeking to retain their position, while candidates are individuals vying for an office they do not yet hold.
The concept of incumbency is significant in political science because incumbents generally have advantages over challengers, such as name recognition, established campaign infrastructure, and access to funds. Studies show that in the U.S. Congress, incumbents have a significantly higher chance of winning re-election due to their experience and public visibility. Additionally, the political landscape often includes scenarios where no incumbent runs for office, which results in what is known as an "open seat". This leads to a more competitive election environment, as multiple candidates compete for that position without an established officeholder to compete against.
In local government offices, workers are often called "officers", and they may have a specific job title relating to the service they provide.
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Advantages of incumbency
A person who currently holds an office is called an incumbent. This term is used primarily in political contexts to describe those currently serving in a specific role during elections. Incumbents are often seeking to retain their position, while candidates are individuals vying for office but do not yet hold that position.
The incumbent advantage is a well-known phenomenon in politics, where the current office holder has an edge over challengers in an election. Here are some key advantages of incumbency:
- Name recognition and media attention: Incumbents often have higher name recognition due to their previous work and media coverage. This can make it easier to gain support and build a positive public image.
- Experience and proven leadership: Incumbents have experience in the role and have demonstrated their leadership abilities. This can inspire confidence in voters and increase their chances of reelection.
- Access to resources and campaign finance: Incumbents may have easier access to government resources and campaign funding. This includes donations from Political Action Committees and wealthy individuals, which can significantly impact the election outcome.
- Influence and status quo bias: Incumbents have the power to influence events and shape policies, which can help them maintain support. Additionally, voters often exhibit status quo bias, tending to support an incumbent they voted for previously.
- Advantage in on-cycle elections: A 2017 study found that incumbents have a much larger advantage in on-cycle elections compared to off-cycle elections. This suggests that the timing of elections can play a role in the strength of incumbency.
However, it is important to note that while incumbency provides significant advantages, there are also scenarios where the anti-incumbency factor comes into play. This occurs when the incumbent has proven unworthy of office or when voters are convinced by challengers' calls for change. Additionally, in recent times, the advantages of incumbency may have diminished due to factors such as increasing political disaffection and hyper-partisanship.
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Candidates are not incumbents
The term "incumbent" is used primarily in political contexts to describe a person who currently holds an office or position of authority and is seeking re-election or renewal. Incumbents are often seeking to retain their position, while candidates are individuals running for an office but do not yet hold that position. Candidates are not incumbents.
The distinction between incumbents and candidates is important, especially during elections. Incumbents usually have advantages over challengers, such as name recognition, established networks, and access to campaign finance. Studies have shown that incumbents in the US Congress have a significantly higher chance of winning re-election due to their experience and public visibility.
In the context of a presidential election, the sitting president running for re-election is considered an incumbent. A senator or congressperson completing their term and seeking another term also holds the title of incumbent. On the other hand, a candidate is an individual who is running for office but does not currently hold that position.
It is worth noting that in some cases, there may not be an incumbent in an office during an election, such as when there is a new electoral division. In such scenarios, the office is considered vacant, and the election is referred to as an "open seat" or "open contest."
In local government offices, workers are often referred to as "officers" or "government officials," and they may have specific job titles relating to the services they provide.
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Civil servants
A person who currently holds an office is called an incumbent. Incumbents are individuals who are presently serving in a specific role, especially during elections. They are often seeking to retain their position.
Now, civil servants are government officials employed in civil occupations that are neither political nor judicial. They are selected and promoted based on a merit and seniority system, which may include examinations. Civil servants are not to be confused with political appointees, who can be removed without cause, as is the case in Hungary, where Viktor Orbán removed labour protections for civil servants.
In the past, civil servants were part of the king's household and were the monarch's personal servants. As the power of monarchs declined, appointment became a matter of personal choice by ministers and heads of departments.
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Local government officers
A person who currently holds an office is most commonly called an "incumbent". This term is used in political contexts to describe those currently serving in a specific role, especially during elections. Incumbents are often seeking to retain their position, while "candidates" are individuals running for office but do not yet hold that position.
Now, a "local government officer" is a person working in a local government office. They are sometimes referred to as "government officers" or "civil servants". Local government officers work in a variety of sectors that affect the community, such as transport, housing, education, tourism, social work, recreation, IT, finance, human resources, and health. They have direct contact with the public, local organisations, and various committees to identify issues in these sectors. They also assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures, as well as preparing briefing papers and reports.
There are no specific subjects that are universally required to become a local government officer. However, certain skills and qualifications can be beneficial. For example, strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for producing reports and handling correspondence. Basic maths skills are important for tasks like budgeting and financial analysis, while proficiency in using office software like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is crucial for administrative tasks.
In terms of career progression, local government officers can move into management positions within the local government or other public sector areas like the government medical or voluntary sector. With experience, they can also leave local government to work in senior administrative or management posts in the private sector.
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Frequently asked questions
A person who currently holds an office is called an incumbent.
The term "incumbent" is used primarily in political contexts to describe those currently serving in a specific role during elections. Incumbents are often seeking to retain their position.
Some other synonyms for a person in office are "officeholder", "official", "officer", "civil servant", "government official", and "candidate".
