With the November elections in just under 100 days, one narrative that has emerged in this cycle is the rise of generally inexperienced insurgent candidates who are toppling long-standing members of Congress and other offices on both sides of the political aisle.

Democrat Jamaal Bowman made national news while knocking out a 15-term incumbent in the 16th District of New York, for instance. This trend has seemingly gained momentum nationally in places such as Missouri, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. In fact, Donald Trump’s electoral victory in 2016 could be viewed as part of this narrative, taking out a host of experienced challengers in the GOP and eventually winning the White House. So could that of neophyte New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez taking down a deeply entrenched incumbent of her own party. But although some might view the lack of experience as a refreshing asset, the data suggest that inexperience is not as great a virtue as some believe.