Latest news with #CAWP
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Latinas hold more state legislature seats than ever before
The number of Latinas serving in state legislatures this year marks a new record for Latinas in this level of government. In all, 214 Latinas hold seats in state legislatures nationwide, up from 192 in 2024, according to the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP). Latinas weren't the only ones to set records in last year's elections, though. Black, Asian American and Pacific Islander women, as well as women of Native backgrounds, also broke new ground in state legislative elections. 'Across the board, we actually did see a net gain in women's representation at the state legislative level, which was notable because we did not see that at the congressional level or at the statewide executive level,' Kelly Dittmar, the director of research at CAWP, told The 19th. 'When we're seeing these gains, they're coming among racially and ethnically diverse women.' Only White women hold fewer legislative seats this year in 2025 than they did in 2024. The rise in the number of Latinas serving in state houses, in particular, follows an important political trend in the United States: Latinx voters accounted for nearly half of newly eligible voters in 2024 and Latinas vote at higher rates than Latinx voters overall. Dittmar noted that early data on the 2024 electorate indicates that the Latinx voting population went up 12 percent last year — mirroring the rate of gains Latinas made in state legislatures. 'The more Latinos we have who are politically both eligible and engaged, the more likely it is that we're going to see greater representation,' Dittmar said. Of the 214 Latinas serving in a state house, 182 are Democrats, 31 are Republicans and one identifies as nonpartisan. Latinas now hold 2.9 percent of state legislative seats nationwide and make up 9.6 percent of the population. The gains by Black and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women in state legislatures this year were largely for Democratic women legislators. Latinas, on the other hand, saw gains among Democrats and Republicans. 'When you think about opportunities, especially in a year where Republican women actually did fare better, if you look at the net gains among state legislators who are women, Republican women really account for most of the net gain,' Dittmar explained — something particularly pronounced among newly elected Latinas at this level of government. 'Among Latinas, we're seeing at least slightly more partisan diversity. That allows for them to see success in this overall racial and ethnic group, inclusive of both parties doing well.' Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women also saw a significant increase in their numbers in state legislatures, according to CAWP. Forty-four women of Native backgrounds currently hold seats in state legislatures, up from 36 in 2023, when they set their record. That amounts to 0.6 percent of state legislative seats; Native women comprise 1.1 percent of the U.S. population. There are now 107 AAPI women serving in these roles; the previous record, from 2023, was 100. Black women, who have made the largest gains in politics among women from historically marginalized groups, amount to 399 members in state legislatures, 13 more than last year. 'We're seeing more and more diversity in terms of race and ethnicity and, in my mind, that is a good thing — it brings more perspectives and lived experiences to the table,' Dittmar said. 'It means we're just moving closer to the representativeness of these bodies that is supposedly promised in a representative democracy.' The post Latinas hold more state legislature seats than ever before appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Record numbers of Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native women elected to state legislatures
Record numbers of Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native women are serving in state legislatures this year, according to an analysis following the 2024 elections, but advocates for female representation in elected office say the numbers fall short of demographics. The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University found that the number of female state lawmakers has continued to trend up nationally, with more than a third of state legislative seats now held by women — the largest segment ever recorded and more than five times the female representation in 1971. Women make up slightly more than half the U.S. population, according to Census data. The CAWP's analysis also found record-breaking diversity among the women elected. Nearly 400 Black women are serving in statehouses this year, up from the previous record of 386 set last year; 214 Latina state lawmakers this year bests last year's record of 192; the 107 female legislators who are Asian American or Pacific Islander have broken the record of 100 set in 2023; and women who identify as Native American, Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian hold 44 seats, up from the record 36 set in 2023. When broken down by racial and ethnic lines, only white women hold fewer state legislative seats in 2025 than they did in 2024, the CAWP found. The figures include women who identify as more than one racial or ethnic group, so some have been counted multiple times across categories. 'It's encouraging to see increasing diversity among women serving in state legislative seats, but the broader context tells a different story,' CAWP Director Debbie Walsh said in a statement on the findings. 'The 2024 election led to only modest gains for the number of women holding state legislative seats, and women of all backgrounds are still significantly underrepresented in state legislatures.' 'Women now hold just a third of these seats, a significant improvement from the 11 percent they held 45 years ago, but still a long way from 50 percent,' she added. Nearly two-thirds, or 1,580, of the nation's 2,469 female state lawmakers are Democrats, while 867 are Republicans and five are independents. Seventeen have no party affiliation, as elections for Nebraska's unicameral Legislature are nonpartisan. The Nevada Legislature, the country's third-smallest bicameral state Legislature with just 63 members combined in the House and Senate, has the largest female representation at nearly 62 percent, according to the report. For the first time ever, women make up a majority — 51 of 100 members — of state lawmakers in Colorado this year. West Virginia has the smallest female bloc at slightly less than 12 percent, or 16 of the state Legislature's 134 members. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Record numbers of Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native women elected to state legislatures
Record numbers of Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native women are serving in state legislatures this year, according to a new analysis following the 2024 elections, but advocates for female representation in elected office say the numbers fall short of demographics. The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University found that the number of female state lawmakers has continued to trend up nationally, with more than a third of state legislative seats now held by women — the largest segment ever recorded and more than five times the female representation in 1971. Women make up slightly more than half the U.S. population, according to Census data. CAWP's analysis also found record-breaking diversity among the women elected. Nearly 400 Black women are serving in statehouses this year, up from the previous record 386 set last year; 214 Latina state lawmakers this year bests last year's record of 192; the 107 female legislators who identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander have broken the record of 100 set in 2023; and women who identify as Native American, Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian hold 44 seats, up from the record 36 set in 2023. Only white women hold fewer state legislative seats in 2025 than they did in 2024, when broken down by racial and ethnic lines, CAWP found. The figures include women who identify as more than one racial or ethnic group, so some have been counted multiple times across categories. 'It's encouraging to see increasing diversity among women serving in state legislative seats, but the broader context tells a different story,' CAWP director Debbie Walsh said in a statement on the findings. 'The 2024 election led to only modest gains for the number of women holding state legislative seats, and women of all backgrounds are still significantly underrepresented in state legislatures.' 'Women now hold just a third of these seats, a significant improvement from the 11 percent they held 45 years ago, but still a long way from 50 percent,' she added. 2024 Election Coverage Nearly two-thirds, or 1,580, of the nation's 2,469 female state lawmakers are Democrats, while 867 are Republicans and five are independents. Seventeen have no party affiliation, as elections for Nebraska's unicameral legislature are nonpartisan. The Nevada Legislature, which is the country's third-smallest bicameral state legislature with just 63 members combined in the House and Senate, has the largest female representation at nearly 62 percent, according to CAWP's report. Women make up a razor-thin majority of state lawmakers in Colorado for the first time this year at 51 percent, or 51 of the 100 members. West Virginia has the smallest female bloc at slightly less than 12 percent, or 16 of the state legislature's 134 members.
Axios
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Why Colorado has never elected a woman governor
Just 51 women have ever served as governor in the nearly 250-year history of the United States. Yes, but: Those women have led in only 32 states, Jean Sinzdak, associate director at Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), tells us. CAWP tracks and encourages women running and holding elected office. The big picture: Colorado is among 18 states that have never had a woman governor, in addition to a handful of other blue states — California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota and Virginia. Why it matters: Representation in Colorado's highest executive office has long eluded women candidates, but the 2026 election could mark a turning point in a state where female politicians have made major inroads in other branches of government. State of play: No high-profile woman candidate has yet to announce a run to replace term-limited Gov. Jared Polis, who has higher aspirations of his own. Two potential local contenders include Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Republican state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer. Griswold, who was unavailable for comment Tuesday, has strong name recognition and has raised her national profile through frequent TV appearances over recent years. Kirkmeyer, a former congressional candidate, told 9News last year she was giving a potential gubernatorial bid "serious thought." Axios Denver was unable to reach her Tuesday. Context: History, incumbency and lack of recruitment are major reasons why women can have a hard time running for higher office, Sinzdak tells us. Most U.S. governors have been men, she says, and beating an incumbent — often a man — is challenging. What they're saying:"We still know that overall, at every level of office, men hold about seven in 10 elected positions still to this day," Sinzdak tells us. The intrigue: CAWP issued a report called " The Donor Gap" in 2023 suggesting women are underrepresented in American politics "because they are underrepresented as donors." Women donors accounted for 33% of total contributions in gubernatorial elections between 2019 and 2022, per the report, which says men donate a disproportionate amount of total contributions. Flashback: Over the past 35 years, only two women — Democrat Gail Schoettler in 1998 and Republican Heidi Ganahl in 2022 — have earned a major party's nomination to run for Colorado governor. Ganahl was overwhelmingly defeated by Polis, who had an enormous fundraising edge, while Schoettler lost a close race to Bill Owens in 1998 with a slightly smaller war chest. Between the lines: Sinzdak notes women are often, as is the case for current Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, recruited as running mates, playing a supporting role rather than a leading one. Schoettler (1995-1999), Jane Norton (2003-2007), Barbara O'Brien (2007-2011) and Donna Lynne (2016-2019) all served as lieutenant governor, a role that chiefly entails overseeing state boards and commissions. The bottom line: A record 14 women are serving as governors simultaneously this year, per CAWP.
