WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a series of reports this week, University of Minnesota political scientist Eric Ostermeier focuses on the importance of incumbency in Minnesota’s U.S. House races.

Part 1 focuses on Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann and two-term GOPers. Ostermeier notes that only two such incumbents have been defeated since Minnesota became a state. The last time it happened was in 1944.

Part 2 examines the extent that incumbency advantage increases the longer representatives have remained in Washington.

Part 3 looks at whether incumbents are any safer today than during most of Minnesota’s electoral history. And you’ll have to click here to find out the answer to that.