incumbent

/ɪnkˈʌmbənt/

/ˌɪnˈkəmbənt/

Incumbent

the official who holds an office

incumbent

currently holding an office

necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility; morally binding

lying or leaning on something else

Examples

1. Incumbents have name recognition, fund-raising advantages.

2. Incumbents are the victims of disproportionate knowledge.

3. Socialists like Jamal Bowman in New York, and Corey Bush in Missouri are defeating incumbent congresspeople.

4. In some places, the incumbent faces a more extreme challenger from within their own party.