Weaponizing Intersectionality: Intra-racial Challenges among Latina Candidates

• In Event: Contemporary Latina/é Politics, Participation, and Representation

Abstract

As the number of Latina candidates running for national office has grown, so too has the number of Latinas competing against other Latinas and against other women of color. In 2020 in California alone, 45% of Latina congressional candidates were involved in campaigns against other Latinas or other women of color.
These intra-racial challenges occurred most frequently in districts where Latina Republicans were advanced as challengers against recently elected Latina Democrats. In the preponderance of such cases the Republican challenger lacked political experience, professional capacity, and fundraising, ultimately leading to their defeat. However, the frequency with which these intra-racial challenges occurred suggested a problematic weaponizing of intersectionality that creates added vulnerability to newly elected Latina Democrats and jeopardizes gains made at the national level.
Drawing on quantitative data and interviews with Latina congressional members and candidates collected during the 2018, 2020, and 2022 election cycles, this paper examines the proliferation of intra-racial challenges and their impact on the election, sustainability, and re-election of Latinas to national office.

Author

• Anna Sampaio, Santa Clara University