What term is used for the practice of holding the political office for which one is running?

The term used for the practice of holding the political office for which one is running is incumbency. Incumbency refers to the status of an official who is currently in office and seeking re-election. This status often provides advantages during election campaigns, such as greater visibility, established donor networks, and familiarity with constituents, which can lead to a higher likelihood of retaining the position.

Other options do not accurately capture this concept. Generic representation refers to the broader concept of elected officials representing a diverse electorate rather than specifically describing someone who is currently holding office. Casework pertains to the assistance that lawmakers provide to their constituents in dealing with bureaucracy or government services and is not directly related to election status. The term trustee describes a model of representation where a representative makes decisions based on their own judgment rather than solely following the wishes of their constituents, which is a different aspect of governance unrelated to holding office.