Debbie Lesko: The Electoral Connection
In the book The Electoral Connection, David Mayhew makes the argument that the main goal of members of congress is reelection. Mayhew focuses on three different activities that members participate in that help them with reelection;
Advertising:
In The Electoral Connection, Mayhew's first activity that members of congress participate in is advertising. Advertising is when a member of congress tries to get their name out to their constituents in order to make a better image for themselves. A recent example of Debbie Lesko participating in advertising is the news letters that she sends out frequently in order to keep her constituents informed on what she if doing. In the most recent news letter Lesko gives an update on the ways that she is still involved in what is going on in the 8th District of Arizona. One of the meetings that Lesko references is a meeting with "representatives of the health care industry in Arizona to discuss how [she] can better help patients, reduce costs, and increase access."
Credit Claiming:
Mayhew's second activity that members of congress participate in is credit claiming. Credit claiming is when a member of congress takes responsibility for actions that are desirable for the members of their constituency. In the short time that Debbie Lesko has been in the House of Representatives she has sponsored seven bills, one of which has passed into law. Lesko was the sponsor of H.R 6400, which has now passed into law. This bill was an effort by Congresswomen Lesko to make the boarders safe. This bill requires that the ports of entry be assessed in order to know where improvements must be made. Lesko was published in the Arizona Capital Times, talking about her time in the House of Representatives. She made sure to state that H.R 6400 was her bill, and explained how helpful it will be to secure the boarders.
Position Taking:
The last activity that Mayhew argued that members of congress participate in is position taking. Position taking is when a member if congress takes a stance on a particular issue that is of interest to political actors. On Debbie Lesko's website, she has a section that expresses her position on certain issues. One of the main issues that Lesko has taken a position on is her support for President Trumps plan to build a wall. She wants to build a wall, add more troops, "and close the loopholes in our system that have exacerbated the problem of illegal immigration." Lesko took this position in order to show her constituents where she lies on the issues.
Credit Claiming:
Mayhew's second activity that members of congress participate in is credit claiming. Credit claiming is when a member of congress takes responsibility for actions that are desirable for the members of their constituency. In the short time that Debbie Lesko has been in the House of Representatives she has sponsored seven bills, one of which has passed into law. Lesko was the sponsor of H.R 6400, which has now passed into law. This bill was an effort by Congresswomen Lesko to make the boarders safe. This bill requires that the ports of entry be assessed in order to know where improvements must be made. Lesko was published in the Arizona Capital Times, talking about her time in the House of Representatives. She made sure to state that H.R 6400 was her bill, and explained how helpful it will be to secure the boarders.
Position Taking:
The last activity that Mayhew argued that members of congress participate in is position taking. Position taking is when a member if congress takes a stance on a particular issue that is of interest to political actors. On Debbie Lesko's website, she has a section that expresses her position on certain issues. One of the main issues that Lesko has taken a position on is her support for President Trumps plan to build a wall. She wants to build a wall, add more troops, "and close the loopholes in our system that have exacerbated the problem of illegal immigration." Lesko took this position in order to show her constituents where she lies on the issues.
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