DeKALB | The power of incumbency is present in many elections this fall and has caused much speculation about the outcome of certain races.

Governor Rod Blagojevich could have an advantage over Republican candidate Judy Baar Topinka because he has held office for the past four years. According to Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Blagojevich currently has a 10-point lead on Topinka.

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) also holds strong incumbent advantages; he has represented the 14th Congressional District since 1986, and has been speaker since 1999. His challenger, Democrat John Laesch, has faced an uphill battle in the race.

Most incumbents have more money and name recognition.

“If you’re an incumbent then you’re able to use government funds to correspond with constituents and it helps build name recognition for the candidate,” Laesch said. “If someone like Mr. Hastert can send countless pieces of mail on the government’s expense, that’s a financial advantage that the challenger doesn’t have.”

When a bill is passed, lawmakers may send out glossy letters that are essentially campaign literature at the government’s expense, Laesch said.

Incumbents are often invited to commemorate memorials, which allows them to obtain positive press. First-time candidates would generally not have the same privilege.

Mikel Wyckoff, associate political science professor, said incumbency is an especially huge factor in House elections.

“Incumbents have an ongoing relationship with voters,” Wyckoff said. “Basically, they’re campaigning all the time. The challenger has about two or three months to come in and make his name known.”

Incumbents also have an easier time raising money because of their name recognition and record, whereas challengers might struggle more in this area. A well-funded, seasoned incumbent facing a young, fresh-faced challenger is typical, Wyckoff said.

Melissa Bean (D-Ill.), U.S. Representative of the 8th Congressional District, famously beat long-time incumbent Phil Crane in the 2004 election.

“Congresswoman Bean used her opponent’s incumbency to her advantage,” Bean’s spokesperson, Brian Herman, said. “Incumbency is only as valuable as the incumbent makes it.”

Caitlin Mullen is a City Reporter for the Northern Star.