<![CDATA[This study investigates the political strategies employed by female legislators who successfully retained their seats in the 2024 Malang City Legislative Election. It analyzes how incumbents navigated intense electoral competition while sustaining and expanding political legitimacy. Using a descriptive qualitative design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with two re-elected female legislators, their campaign teams, party cadres, and constituents, complemented by official electoral documents, vote recapitulation reports, and field observations. Guided by the political retention framework, which emphasizes strategies for sustaining electoral support across terms, the findings reveal two key factors shaping incumbents’ success. First, both legislators consolidated established voter bases through consistent community engagement, strengthening trust and accountability. Second, they adopted innovative campaign strategies to attract new voter segments. While one relied on dense political networks and a credible performance record, the other emphasized creative approaches and inclusive messaging. This hybrid strategy integrating continuity with adaptation proved effective in enhancing electability and reinforcing women’s political representation. The study contributes to the literature by highlighting the underexplored dimension of political retention and provides practical insights into strengthening women’s resilience in democratic politics.]]>
