A sitting Congressman dies in office, resigns in disgrace, or is appointed to the U.S. Senate; the governor schedules a peculiar off-cycle contest; candidates wage last minute campaigns in relative political isolation.
It is the year to break this cycle by contesting undemocratic party rules that produce such results.
In Florida's gubernatorial battle this year, Cox said, the presence of outside money would help Republicans keep pace in what he called "the most expensive race this cycle," Senate contests included.
Maine, while idiosyncratic, is a blue-leaning state, enough that you would expect Democrats to have an edge there in an average election cycle in a contest between "generic" opponents.
But, as it worked out, it was as if God were saying, 'Well, on this one, your eminence, I'm going with Mr. President.' But if we can rely on anything about this cycle's G.O.P. contest, this week's front-runner may not be next week's.
Glimpse a preview of dynamics that will shape the 2016 election cycle in the contest over Loretta Lynch's nomination as Attorney General.
The theme for the cycle is a talent contest in purgatory; Dante meets Simon Cowell.
Also, each election cycle features thousands of contests: local posts that in other countries might be filled by appointees of party bosses are vigorously contested in America.
Hillary Clinton is polling well ahead of Sanders in Nevada and South Carolina, the first two contests this cycle in which the electorate will not be overwhelmingly white.
Shorten's rivals sat out the contest, believing the cycle of Bill Shorten, Future Prime Minister, had to play itself out.
New York, like so many of the nominating contests in this cycle, might not be want party insiders want, but it does express the desires of grassroots Republicans.
