There are members of the United States House of Representatives who spent only a single two-year term (or less) in office usually either due to death, resignation, or defeat. In some rare cases freshmen members have decided to run for another office or not run for reelection. Many members who serve in the House for only one term are viewed by historians and political experts as having won under circumstances largely beyond their control, such as riding in on the coattails of a popular presidential or statewide candidate of their party, or by running against a scandalized incumbent.