How Marginalization Salience Drives the Emergence of Marginalized Candidates

• In Event: Comparative Electoral Institutions

Abstract

Underrepresented groups, including women, ethnoracial minorities, and youth, historically exhibit lower political ambition and candidacy rates than their counterparts, attributed to socioeconomic and political marginalization. Yet, the recent surge in candidates from these groups is linked to a greater salience of marginalization--or public recognition of the disadvantages faced by these groups. I propose that salient marginalization boosts (1) political ambition among unambitious members and (2) candidacy decisions among ambitious members of these groups, especially when the public explicitly supports inclusion. Survey experiments with prospective members of the candidate pool and the general population in the US and a quasi-experimental analysis of candidate emergence in 2018 and 2020 state legislative elections reveal that marginalization salience drives political engagement and participation among members of historically marginalized groups, particularly when voters demand inclusion. These findings offer novel insights into how public opinion can mitigate inequalities in access to political office.

Author

• Iris Acquarone, Arizona State University