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CHOICE Review

Before the question of who will (or can) win election to Congress, the question of who will (or can) run must first be answered. Each of the essays is based on extensive interviews with candidates (potential as well as actual) in nine congressional districts in the 1992 election. While previous studies (e.g., Linda Fowler's Candidates, Congress and the American Democracy, CH, Jul'94) have concentrated on the importance of ambition, this study moves beyond ambition theory to note that ambition is tempered by district-specific factors (e.g., the presence of an incumbent) and contextual forces (eligibility, access, resources). The editor draws conclusions which indicate that potential candidates are "highly strategic politicians"; they decide to run only when they believe there is a reasonable chance to be elected. Few potential candidates become actual candidates. Interestingly, factors such as personal considerations, national political circumstances, and party recruitment efforts are thought to have less impact than previously thought. A solid effort to successfully blend case studies and more generalized analysis. Recommended for all university libraries. W. K. Hall Bradley University