Which Jane Runs? Gendered Selection Effects in the (Early) Political Pipeline

• In Event: Political Ambition

Abstract

Despite fruitful progress in understanding higher level political contests (e.g., Congressional elections), we know fairly little about the types of women who run for (and which types win) the far more numerous lower level political offices available. Our ignorance in this area has substantial consequences. Because outcomes in the early stages in the political pipeline affect later stages, conclusions about what underlies women’s candidacy and success at higher levels are still prone to selection effects. We also fail to understand the foundations of women’s underrepresentation not only for the majority of elected offices in the country but also for areas of increasing political importance of nationwide interest, such as LGBTQ+ issues and school boards.

Using comprehensive data of all local California elections, I compare background information such as parenthood, age, and occupational experience for men and women across local political offices. Specifically, I examine how the gendered nature of different career backgrounds provides information about which types of women and men run for office and how these factors relate to which office they pursue (e.g., school board vs. city council). I compare how the relationship between gendered candidate characteristics and winning elections differs by office type. Finally, I examine which types of women vs. men local office holders seek (and win) the next level of office (e.g., state legislature). I supplement these analyses with information from official state and local voter guides, mailed to registered voters each election season. Together, these analyses provide a more comprehensive understanding of gendered selection effects at the beginning of the political pipeline.

Author

• Sierra Davis Thomander, Stanford University