IS THERE AN INHERENT DEMOCRATIC-PARTY ADVANTAGE IN UNITED-STATES HOUSE ELECTIONS - EVIDENCE FROM THE OPEN SEATS

Objective: Scant research exists on open seat elections. From 1982 to 1992 the Republican party realized no gains in open seat elections, de spite continued protestations that the Democratic party incumbency adv antage prevented the growth of Republican representation. Methods. Thi s note examines open seat U.S. House elections from 1982 to 1992 to de termine whether there is an inherent Democratic party advantage in con gressional elections in the absence of incumbency. Results. Democratic party candidates obtained larger electoral benefits from political ex perience than their Republican opponents, and were advantaged by the p resence of substantial minority populations in congressional districts , supporting the concept of an inherent electoral advantage. Conclusio ns. The prospects for expanded Republican representation depended on m inimizing the differences in experience between Democratic and Republi can candidates, establishing substantial spending advantages, and limi ting the impact of minority populations to as few congressional distri cts as possible. Republicans derived some benefits from displacing min ority populations in the South in 1992, although the effects were not sufficient to offset weak Republican presidential coattails and the pr esence of well-financed, experienced Democratic candidates.