The Secret of My Success: Part II. Pathways to Valparaiso in 2009

Abstract

In this research note we present the characteristics of twenty-six congressional electoral campaigns during the 2009 Chilean national elections and then use them to create a typology of campaign types for incumbents and challengers. The evidence was collected through participant observation and in-depth interviewing with key actors in each district. The statistical and Boolean analysis of these data yields the following results: different campaign profiles exist among incumbents and challengers; incumbents are the most successful candidates; higher amounts of electoral expenses increase the odds to win the district's seat; there is a generalized decrease in the use of party-symbols in campaigns.