Answer :
Final answer:
The statement that House incumbents are more likely to face prominent local politicians as challengers than Senate incumbents is false. Incumbents in both chambers have advantages that deter challengers, such as name recognition, fundraising capabilities, and the benefits of seniority. Therefore, option b) false is the correct answer.
Explanation:
It is a common misconception that House incumbents are more likely than Senate incumbents to face challengers in the form of prominent local politicians. However, this statement is false. Senate elections can be very competitive, with incumbents having to defend their records and votes over six years. Incumbents from both the Senate and the House enjoy an incumbent advantage, including better funding and higher name recognition. Moreover, the party system often results in safe seats where the real contest is in the primaries, and not in the general election. While parties generally support incumbents, on rare occasions, strong local politicians may successfully challenge them in the primaries.
Another important factor in the incumbency advantage is the power of seniority, which typically offers more influence within Congress. This seniority is a strong campaign point against challengers, who would start with less influence. In addition, incumbents have access to franking privileges, existing campaign infrastructure, and the ability to assist constituents due to their positions, which can further deter challengers.