Courage, commitment, determination, and ego make first-time candidates run… But what does it take to make them win?

Edward Sidlow’s new case study, Challenging the Incumbent: An Underdog’s Undertaking, animates the scholarship on congressional elections as it tells an intimate, behind-the-scenes story of the 2000 congressional race in Illinois’ 8th district. Lance Pressl, a 42-year-old challenger takes on long-time incumbent Phil Crane in a political contest that epitomizes the trials and tribulations confronting those who dare to run against incumbents.

Combining the most recent scholarship on campaigns and elections with an eye-witness account of the day-to-day dynamics of a race, Sidlow documents Pressl’s efforts as he tries to win the support and commitment of his core constituents and powerful political allies. The challenges he faces are legion: Will major demographic changes in the district bode well for Pressl, a moderate Democrat running in a well-established Republican stronghold? Will Pressl’s well-connected personal contacts bring the dollars so critical to his campaign? Will they attract enough media attention? To whom can he turn for sound strategic advice and support? Balancing key issues in electoral politics with a fascinating David-and-Goliath storyline, Sidlow’s study will give students context in which to understand the dynamics—and the vagaries—of House elections.

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Preface
Cast of Characters

Chapter 1: The Decision to Run: A Challenger’s Bid, an Incumbent’s Advantage
Chapter 2: The District and the Candidates: Building a Campaign Strategy
Chapter 3: The Early Days: Building Support
Chapter 4: In the Office and on the Trail: Managing Resources
Chapter 5: The Dog Days of Summer: Developing a Campaign Style
Chapter 6: Race to the Finish: Campaign Dynamics
Chapter 7: Election Day: The Finish Line
Chapter 8: Epilogue: New Challenges

Index

"Sidlow tells the story of candidate Pressl in an engaging and accessible way—students will be intrigued by this inside look at a congressional campaign. The book’s unique strength is that it follows one candidate from his initial decision to make a run for Congress through to the election. The book clearly and at times humorously discusses the nuts and bolts of what candidates and their staff do during a campaign, effectively portraying the emotional ups and downs that accompany life on the campaign trail. The stories that illustrate these activities are entertaining—the fundraisers, parades, meetings with the local police chief—and could only have been captured by someone with inside access. Given the cynicism students (and citizens) generally feel about politics, it is useful to see that there are political activists who are motivated by a sense of idealism, commitment to issues, and sense of obligation to serve their community."

"This lively and informative account of Lance Pressl's campaign for the seat held by conservative Republican Philip Crane has much to recommend it. Through the lens of a single campaign, Edward Sidlow tells an engrossing story which students will enjoy reading. The narrative vividly illustrates most of the generalizations political scientists have developed about congressional elections. Together these make it an excellent supplemental text for undergraduate classes in elections, political parties, Congress or American government."

Edward Sidlow is a professor of political science at Eastern Michigan University. He received his Ph.D. from Ohio State University. He is author of Challenging the Incumbent: An Underdog’s Undertaking, an introduction to American government text, America at Odds, Fifth Edition (co-written with Beth Henschen). His articles have also appeared in such journals as Policy Studies Review, Journal of Law and Politics, Journal of General Education, Western Political Quarterly, News for Teachers of Political Science, and College Teaching. Sidlow is the recipient of numerous teaching awards.