This book is designed to lead readers to see the candidates who run for political office as individuals struggling to win elections. An elective office means going through the hoops to win in a primary and then in the general election. In doing so, the authors address a number of questions. How do these candidates deal with the whole medley of issues confronting their campaigns? What kinds of decisions do they make and how do they do so? What is the role of parties, issues, and candidates in congressional races? What about campaign strategies and consultants? What of the money and the media? The goal of this book is to provide the readers with a detailed understanding of contemporary campaigns and elections in congressional contests at an individual level.