In the wake of the 2016 election and the #MeToo movement, the number of women
candidates for the House of Representatives and the Senate has soared dramatically,
making 2018 a record year. The House seems to currently represent the biggest
chance for change in the demographics of politics, with an increase of 18% in non
incumbent female nominees and a total of 257 women running for election.
candidates for the House of Representatives and the Senate has soared dramatically,
making 2018 a record year. The House seems to currently represent the biggest
chance for change in the demographics of politics, with an increase of 18% in non
incumbent female nominees and a total of 257 women running for election.
It is important to note that the increase is particularly strong on the Democratic side,
where nearly 50% of candidates are female, and 33% women of color. A report from
Pew Research Centre released this September discovered that 33% of Republicans
and 79% of Democrats agree that there are “too few women in high political offices”.
where nearly 50% of candidates are female, and 33% women of color. A report from
Pew Research Centre released this September discovered that 33% of Republicans
and 79% of Democrats agree that there are “too few women in high political offices”.
“Any Democratic wave is going to disproportionately help women because women
disproportionately run as Democrats,” Dr. Lawless said, referring to 2018’s blue wave.
“If we see 60 seats flip, we are going to see women get elected at unprecedented rates.
If the wave ends up more like a puddle on the sand, it’s not going to look that different than
previous cycles.”
disproportionately run as Democrats,” Dr. Lawless said, referring to 2018’s blue wave.
“If we see 60 seats flip, we are going to see women get elected at unprecedented rates.
If the wave ends up more like a puddle on the sand, it’s not going to look that different than
previous cycles.”
If all women were to win their race against male candidates for a seat as a Representative,
208 would make it to the House. This would would make the assembly almost 50% women.
However, 91 of the 208 are unlikely to win as their opponent’s party is favored, and 32 more
are running competitive races (toss-ups, party leanings) This leaves 85 women who are
very likely to hold seats, an increase in only one seat from the past election.
208 would make it to the House. This would would make the assembly almost 50% women.
However, 91 of the 208 are unlikely to win as their opponent’s party is favored, and 32 more
are running competitive races (toss-ups, party leanings) This leaves 85 women who are
very likely to hold seats, an increase in only one seat from the past election.
Still, even if an insignificant amount of winners come out of the November elections, the
involvement of women in politics has undeniably progressed. Ms Peeler-Allen declares in
an interview for the New York Times, “Rome wasn’t built in a day, and just because this person
wasn’t successful doesn’t mean that I won’t be. I’m going to learn from her race and learn
from her mistakes and look at the landscape and see what I can do differently.”
involvement of women in politics has undeniably progressed. Ms Peeler-Allen declares in
an interview for the New York Times, “Rome wasn’t built in a day, and just because this person
wasn’t successful doesn’t mean that I won’t be. I’m going to learn from her race and learn
from her mistakes and look at the landscape and see what I can do differently.”
How do you feel about this increase in female candidates? Do you believe this could lead
to real change, with or without regard of the elections’ outcome? How is female
representation in politics beneficial in your opinion?
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/
to real change, with or without regard of the elections’ outcome? How is female
representation in politics beneficial in your opinion?
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/
I think the increase of female candidates because it could increase female representations of laws regarding women's rights. Even though the outcomes might not be as big of a change as some might have hoped, I think it could still be beneficial by helping women step up and have a voice.
ReplyDeleteSteven Gong
ReplyDeleteI feel very positive about this increase in female candidates, as it is obvious some kind of catalyst has been triggered to make the number of women candidates to soar. This greater diversity allows for a representative democracy to work, although predicting the path of change is hard to say.
With more diversity of representatives, there is a greater representation among the American population, which benefits the citizens. Although a change in the number of women may reflect the population more, "real change" is to be seen, because these candidates may end up changing the vote, because of the soaring Democratic women candidates. However, the opposite can be argued, because these candidates may just end up as incompetent as their male counterparts. Vice versa.
All in all, greater female representation is inherently beneficial, and the greater diversity is definitely a benefit.
I agree that, while a female representant does not necessarily mean a better or more capable one, the presence of women and general diversity in political offices is only beneficial to democracy and the true representation of the people.
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