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Gender differences in politician persistence and incumbency advantage

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  • Nzabonimpa, Mélyne

Abstract

I analyze the difference in the persistence of men and women after an electoral loss and in their incumbency advantage, using data from the Canadian Municipal Elections Database. I find strong deterrence and incumbency effects among both men and women, but no evidence of a significant gender heterogeneity. Men are 14.9 to 16.6 percentage points less likely to re-enter politics after an electoral loss, while women are 11.8 to 14.3 percentage points less likely to do so. Moreover, incumbent male candidates are 5.8 percentage points more likely to win the next election, while female candidates are 5.6 percentage points more likely to win again. The findings have important implications for program and policy development at the municipal and provincial levels, and assist in the understanding of the roles played by political and electoral institutions in shaping elections’ outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Nzabonimpa, Mélyne, 2023. "Gender differences in politician persistence and incumbency advantage," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:poleco:v:79:y:2023:i:c:s0176268023000484
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2023.102404
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