According to David Mayhew’s “electoral connection” thesis, the primary purpose of members of Congress is
get reelected.
serve the public interest.
hold the Executive Branch accountable to the public.
get programs enacted.
http://wikisum.com/w/Mayhew:_Congress
According to David Mayhew's "electoral connection" thesis, the primary purpose of members of Congress is to get reelected. Mayhew argues that members of Congress are primarily motivated by the need to secure their own political survival and maintain their positions of power. This means that they are more likely to prioritize actions and decisions that will increase their chances of winning reelection, such as attending to constituent concerns, delivering benefits to their district, and responding to public opinion.
To arrive at this answer, one can refer to David Mayhew's book, "Congress: The Electoral Connection." In this book, Mayhew explores the behavior of members of Congress and argues that their primary goal is to secure reelection. He supports his argument through extensive research and analysis of congressional behavior, voting patterns, and campaign strategies.
It is important to note that this thesis does not imply that members of Congress entirely neglect serving the public interest, holding the Executive Branch accountable, or enacting programs. Rather, it suggests that their primary focus and motivation lie in winning reelection, which can influence their decision-making and actions.