Cheers for Arnold

• Feb. 2, 2005, Midnight

In recent elections, a record 98 percent of House incumbents seeking re-election have been returned to office, and the vast majority of those winners faced no serious competition for their seats. While the rising cost of making a serious House bid certainly is a factor, it’s clear that an excess of safe seats created by politician-led redistricting has made the House nearly impervious to challengers.