{
  "schema_version": 1,
  "methodology_version": "fec-candidate-registry/v1",
  "generated_at": "2026-06-22",
  "source": {
    "name": "FEC Candidate Master File",
    "table": "public.fec_candidates",
    "snapshot_date": "2026-06-22",
    "publisher": "Federal Election Commission",
    "license": "U.S. Government Works (public domain)",
    "source_url": "https://www.fec.gov/files/bulk-downloads/2026/cn26.zip"
  },
  "total": 8079,
  "by_office": [
    {
      "office": "House",
      "records": 5626,
      "share_pct": 69.6
    },
    {
      "office": "President",
      "records": 1290,
      "share_pct": 16
    },
    {
      "office": "Senate",
      "records": 1163,
      "share_pct": 14.4
    }
  ],
  "by_party": [
    {
      "party": "Democrat",
      "records": 3238,
      "share_pct": 40.1
    },
    {
      "party": "Republican",
      "records": 3218,
      "share_pct": 39.8
    },
    {
      "party": "Independent",
      "records": 617,
      "share_pct": 7.6
    },
    {
      "party": "Libertarian",
      "records": 144,
      "share_pct": 1.8
    },
    {
      "party": "Other minor labels",
      "records": 862,
      "share_pct": 10.7
    }
  ],
  "party_summary": {
    "democrat": 3238,
    "republican": 3218,
    "major_party_gap": 20,
    "neither_major": 1623,
    "neither_major_share_pct": 20.1
  },
  "by_incumbency": [
    {
      "status": "Challenger",
      "records": 4932,
      "share_pct": 61
    },
    {
      "status": "Open-seat",
      "records": 1697,
      "share_pct": 21
    },
    {
      "status": "Incumbent",
      "records": 736,
      "share_pct": 9.1
    },
    {
      "status": "(blank)",
      "records": 714,
      "share_pct": 8.8
    }
  ],
  "incumbency_summary": {
    "challenger": 4932,
    "incumbent": 736,
    "challenger_to_incumbent_ratio": 6.7
  }
}