By Alex Gonzalez, Public News Service AZ
More than 2,400 women will serve in state legislatures in 2025. That’s a new record, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.
Arizona ranks second in the nation for legislative representation by women, at 50%.
The Center’s Associate Director Jean Sinzdak said women bring their diverse and distinct life experiences to the policymaking table, and are also more apt to reach consensus than their male counterparts.
She added that it’s always positive when governing bodies look more like the communities they represent.
“A big piece of this is just making sure that there is diversity and representation in all kinds of ways,” said Sinzdak, “including by gender – but also by life experience, career, socioeconomic status, and so on.”
Sinzdak said it’s good for democracy when a variety of people serve in state legislatures. She added that while trends are moving in the right direction, there’s more to be done.
Nationally, more than seven in ten elected offices are still held by men.
But Arizona also holds the record for most female governors, at five. Gov. Katie Hobbs is one of 13 nationwide who will serve next year.
Sinzdak contended that a barrier for any newcomer running for political office is “the power of incumbency.”
But this last election, Rep.-elect Yassamin Ansari – D-Phoenix – was among the list of non-incumbent women to win a U.S. House seat.
She’ll also be the first Iranian-American Democrat to represent Arizona.
But Sinzdak said women’s struggles begin even before they decide to toss their hat into the race.
“So, winning is not the issue – it’s really sort of the recruitment and the support to run,” said Sinzdak. “So that’s a big piece of it, really making sure that there is a support network and a recruitment effort to get more new voices, including women, into campaigns and then, elected office.”
She added that many structural and cultural issues make it harder for women to run.
But this year, they were instrumental in gathering support for Proposition 139 in Arizona, to protect abortion rights in the state.
The proposal will add language to the state Constitution enshrining abortion rights.
