[Dr. Sivana]

Misleading statistic. Doomed incumbents retire. Extreme version was LBJ in 1968. Perhaps the most power-hungry man to hold that office up to the time of his election, but he could read the writing on the wall.

[Gaffer]

Tell that to Eric Cantor.

[Liz]

Nancy Pelosi (Dem-Calif.) says: "this money is suffocating the airwaves, silencing the voices of the many."

TRANSLATION: In the Democrats' Me-First vernacular, Nancy means she wants to prevent private groups funding political messages that criticize people like her. Nancy fears TV ads might allow unknown challengers to break through...and push people like her out of office.

[jmaroneps37]

“Incumbents Always Win” except when they don’t.

[Wolfie]

85% is a good record. Like the old cliche says, everyone wants to replace somebody else's Congressman.

[Kenny500c]

Mostly due to name recognition, since most voters are woefully uninformed and have never heard of the other guy (or gal).

[Jabba the Nutt]

Back in the late 80's I looked up the reelection rates for members to the Supreme Soviet, the commies phony parliament. The US Congress' Incumbent Party had a higher retention rate than the Communists Single Party. What does that tell you?

The system is rigged. Term limits or electoral reform of some sort needs to be part of the Convention of the States.

[fredhead]

I’d like to see my congressman replaced. Bobby Scott of VA. But it won’t happen this time, nobody is running against him, and the district (which stretches from Norfolk to Richmond through mostly black areas, and isn’t even contiguous) wouldn’t vote him out anyway.

[billyboy15]

There are FIVE Dem Senators who are NOT running for re election this year. Therefore they are no longer “incumbents” running for the seat.