ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the changing political opportunity structure for Republican candidates. The pattern of candidate emergence observed in contemporary southern House elections exhibits many of the features present during earlier periods in American history that witnessed dramatic electoral change. The pattern of candidate emergence observed in contemporary southern House elections exhibits many of the features present during earlier periods in American history that witnessed dramatic electoral change. The difference in the percentage of Republican amateurs elected under normal- and high-opportunity elections is striking. In a period of rapid party system change, the electoral opportunity structure is drastically altered to favor the aspirations of candidates who run under the label of the ascending party. The chapter concludes with an in-depth look at the emergence patterns of amateur and experienced Republican candidates during normal- and high-opportunity elections.
