Incumbent facts for kids
An incumbent is someone who currently holds a specific job or position. This word is most often used when talking about elections. In an election, the incumbent is the person who is already in office and is trying to get re-elected.
For example, if a mayor is running for mayor again, they are the incumbent. People often talk about elections as a race between the incumbent and new people who want the job.
The term "incumbent" can also be used in sports. It helps people know if a sports player still holds a title or an award. If a tennis player won a championship last year and is playing in it again this year, they are the incumbent champion.
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What is an Incumbent?
An incumbent is simply the person who is currently holding a position. This position is usually a political office, like being a president, a mayor, or a senator. When an election happens, the incumbent is the person who already has the job. They are trying to keep their job against other people who want to take it.
Why is Being an Incumbent Important?
Being an incumbent can give a person some advantages in an election. People might already know who they are. They might also have more experience in the job. For example, Joe Biden was the incumbent President of the United States when he ran for re-election. This meant he was already president.
Incumbents in Elections
Elections are how people choose their leaders. When an incumbent runs for re-election, they are asking voters to let them continue doing their job. Other people, called challengers, try to convince voters that they would do a better job.
The Role of Challengers
A challenger is someone who tries to win an election against an incumbent. Challengers often point out things they would do differently. They might also talk about problems they think the incumbent has not fixed.
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