nonincumbents
Those seeking office
Nonincumbents are candidates running for office who don't currently hold that position.
The term appears almost exclusively in political analysis and election coverage, distinguishing challengers and newcomers from sitting officeholders: Nonincumbents face an uphill battle against candidates with name recognition and fundraising advantages.
Those who compete against
- candidatesThose seeking selection
- contendersThose seeking to win
- newcomersThose recently arrived
- outsidersThose not belonging
opponents · rivals · campaigners · nominees · hopefuls · aspirants · first-timers · underdogs
Mandatory end to incumbency
- turnoverSales volume or attrition
- new voicesRecently emerged contributors
- changeTo make different
- renewalMaking current again
rotation · anti-establishment · reform movement · accountability · drain the swamp · new blood · anti-corruption · grassroots movement
Public familiarity with someone
- volunteer recruitmentGathering unpaid service participants
- door-knockingVisiting residences seeking response
- ground gameOffense via carrying ball
- voter outreachEfforts to reach electors
signature gathering · momentum · breakthrough · shoestring budget · grassroots support · retail politics · town halls · meet-and-greets
challengers
Those who compete against
- candidatesThose seeking selection
- contendersThose seeking to win
- newcomersThose recently arrived
outsiders · opponents · rivals · campaigners · nominees · hopefuls · aspirants · first-timers · underdogs · upstarts
term limits
Mandatory end to incumbency
- turnoverSales volume or attrition
- new voicesRecently emerged contributors
- changeTo make different
renewal · rotation · anti-establishment · reform movement · accountability · drain the swamp · new blood · anti-corruption · grassroots movement
name recognition
Public familiarity with someone
- volunteer recruitmentGathering unpaid service participants
- door-knockingVisiting residences seeking response
- ground gameOffense via carrying ball
voter outreach · signature gathering · momentum · breakthrough · shoestring budget · grassroots support · retail politics · town halls · meet-and-greets