Record number of female governors elected in US but count still hovers below quarter mark
American voters elected a record number of women governors, a position that has some of the lowest female representation in US politics.
Maura Healey on Nov. 2, 2022. (Photographer: Mark Stockwell/EPA/Bloomberg) American voters elected a record number of women governors, a position that has some of the lowest female representation in US politics.
Twelve women will hold the highest state executive office after Tuesday’s midterm elections, with Democratic stronghold Massachusetts and Republican-controlled Arkansas picking their first female governors. Women have already won ten races, while Arizona and Oregon, which were too close to call, have female candidates leading.
The tally rose Wednesday after Kansas Democratic Governor Laura Kelly defeated her Republican challenger, Derek Schmidt.
There are currently nine women leading states, matching a record first set in 2004. A new high of 25 women candidates fought for a chance to become governors in 20 states, up from the 16 who ran in 2018.
Share
