Melnikov, NikitaSilva, Joana Cristina Escorcio2025-07-212025-07-212025-01-162025-01-16http://hdl.handle.net/10362/185394This thesis examines the impact of the dissemination of mobile internet on incumbency advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislative elections from 1976 to 2022. Prior to the introduction of mobile internet, incumbents enjoyed significant electoral benefits, with vote share premiums of approximately 10 and 7 percentage points in congressional and state legislative elections, respectively. However, following the adoption of 3G mobile internet, this advantage decreased by nearly 60% in the House of Representatives and 40% in state legislative elections. An event study confirms this decline occurred only after the introduction of mobile internet.engElectionsIncumbency advantageMediaMobile internetmaster thesis203958829