Answer :
Final answer:
Congressional incumbents enjoy a significant incumbency advantage, which contributes to their high reelection rates. Although the advantage for presidential incumbents is more nuanced, they usually also have a higher chance of reelection.
Explanation:
When considering office incumbency and re-election rates, historical data and scholarly research strongly suggest that Congressional incumbents have a significant advantage in elections. This phenomenon, often referred to as the incumbency advantage, can be attributed to factors such as greater name recognition, access to larger campaign finances, prior electoral success, and the ability to effectively conduct casework which garners voter support. In contrast, the advantage for presidential incumbents can vary and is more nuanced. However, historical data still leans towards a re-election advantage for presidential incumbents rather than a disadvantage.
Statements a) and c) are largely true, indicating that both Congressional and Presidential incumbents generally have higher chances of being re-elected due to the incumbency advantage. For Congressional incumbents, the advantages of name recognition, campaign financing, and constituency services significantly increase their likelihood of re-election. Presidential incumbents can also benefit from some of these factors, making statement c) true as well, though the advantage is not necessarily as clear-cut or consistent as it is for Congressional incumbents.