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Evidences indicate that declining competition in the US House elections is explained by two major factors, a shift in the partisan composition of House districts and a decline in the ability of challengers to compete financially with incumbents. The result thus helps to explain why, despite the relatively small size of their majority, Republicans are able to maintain control of the House since their 1994 takeover.

Evidences presented by Michael McDonald concerning the detrimental effects of partisan redistricting and the potential benefits of redistricting reform consists of anecdotes based on his personal experiences as a consultant to various pro-reform groups. However, his suggestion of shifting responsibility for redistricting from state legislatures to nonpartisan commissions to result in a significant increase in competition in House elections is contradicted.