Dr. Jamie Carson became the new co-author of “The Politics of Congressional Elections” in its ninth edition – changing the overall theme of the book to reflect the increasing nationalization of congressional elections during the past two decades. The book provides students with a comprehensive introduction to congressional elections using the latest data from the National Election Study, the Cooperative Congressional Elections Study, and the Federal Election Commission. This latest edition of the book includes coverage and analysis of the 2012 and 2014 elections, and portions of the book have been modified to include more pertinent information using new tables and figures regarding elections after 2010. After the mid-1990s elections became much less candidate-centered, so Dr. Carson enhanced the discussion of congressional campaigns and primaries and included his own pre-World War II data on congressional elections.
Dr. Carson, delighted with his experience writing the book, stated “As an undergrad, we read the third edition of this book, and I never dreamed that I would be lucky enough to be a co-author on such an important book about elections.”

In this ninth edition, Dr. Carson brings new insights into the changing role of voters, Congress, political parties, and the media.