The Power of Political Networks in Victory Andra Soni–Achmad Dimyati in the 2024 Banten Gubernatorial Election
Abstract
The 2024 Banten gubernatorial election ended two decades of dominance by the political dynasty of Ratu Atut Chosiyah's family. The Andra Soni-Achmad Dimyati pair, supported by nine parties in the Banten Maju Coalition, which controlled 72 of the 100 seats in the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD), defeated Airin Rachmi Diany-Ade Sumardi by a margin of 11.76 percent. However, classical coalition literature (Riker, 1962) and contemporary studies (Golder, 2006; Karvonen, 2014) emphasize that coalition size does not automatically correlate with electoral victory; the case of the 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election, when Ridwan Kamil-Suswono, also supported by KIM Plus, lost to Pramono Anung-Rano Karno, who were solely supported by PDIP, confirms this. This article answers two questions: why Andra Soni-Dimyati were able to win against Airin-Ade Sumardi, and how the power of political networks worked to ensure the pair's victory. The research uses a qualitative approach with a case study strategy. Primary data were obtained from in-depth interviews with nine key informants, including the governor-elect and members of the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) from the supporting parties, while secondary data were collected from official documents from the General Elections Commission (KPU), media, and academic publications. The analysis used a combination of political capital frameworks (Bourdieu, 1986), campaign strategies (Norris, 2000), and political network analysis (Knoke, 1990). The findings suggest that the victory was explained by a combination of internal factors: Dimyati's election with a strong base in Pandeglang, Andra Soni's political capital, and an anti-dynasty and anti-corruption narrative. The power of political networks operated through three integrated layers: a formal coalition, grassroots mobilization of DPRD candidates, and an organic, silaturahmi-based volunteer network, bound by the operational principle of "diorangkan." This study contributes to the literature on the end of subnational political dynasties and the conditions under which grand coalitions can operate effectively.
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