Women and Politics

This post was submitted by Rebecca Freedholm, WCF Communications Fellow

It was another long night in primary elections, as WCF-endorsed candidates Penny Kotterman, Millie Herrera, and Deb Markowitz encountered highly contentious races.  

After her victory in last night’s primary election, Penny Kotterman is one step closer in her race to become Superintendent of Public Instruction in Arizona. Kotterman’s campaign must now continue this momentum in preparation for the general election this November.

This fall, Kotterman will face Republican nominee and Arizona State Senator John Huppenthal. For many voters, choosing between these two candidates will be a no-brainer. Kotterman has been an educator for over 30 years and has established an impressive record of teaching students, developing education policy, and improving the profession of education for both new and experienced teachers. She has also served as the president of the Arizona Education Association for 6 years, during which she has worked with Governors as well as three Superintendents of Public Instruction to formulate crucial policies in Arizona education. While Kotterman’s opponent may have experience as a state legislator, he has no where near the level of expertise and devotion to teaching that Penny Kotterman has.

Millie Herrera also reeled in a victory in her primary last night, and now advances in her race for State Representative of Florida’s 114th District. As a mother, activist, and business leader, Herrera serves her community in a number of significant capacities. She was formerly the president of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida, and empowered the Hispanic community in Florida to participate in the electoral process. Herrera has also been a leader as the Vice Chair of the Kendall Community Council, an Advisory Board Member to the Girl’s Advocacy Project, and as a Guardian-ad-Litem providing support for abandoned, neglected, and abused children. Herrera is a tireless advocate for her community, and will continue to dedicate herself to public service once elected to Florida’s State House of Representatives.

Up in Vermont, Deb Markowitz is still awaiting primary results for her bid for Governor. This race is extremely tight and will likely not be decided until every vote is counted—and possibly even recounted. Currently, Markowitz is within reach of the leading candidate. Unless this margin widens, this race may not be decided until September.

Penny Kotterman, Millie Herrera, and Deb Markowitz are all inspiring, accomplished leaders. WCF hopes you will join us in helping these women attain victory in elections again this November.

This post was submitted by Sophie Shulman, WCF Communcations Fellow

This November, women in American politics have the opportunity to break yet another glass ceiling. According to the Center for American Women and Politics, eight states have the potential to elect their first female governor ever. 26 states have never had a female governor, and, currently, there are only six women serving as governors in the entire country. These statistics, in conjunction with women’s 17% representation in Congress, paint a dismal picture of women’s participation in the political system.

In many ways, women’s representation at the state level is actually more important than at the federal level. While Senators and Congresswomen tend to make more impressive role models, state legislators and governors often have more impact on women’s day-to-day lives. Indeed, Governor Charlie Crist’s brave decision last month to veto a bill that would require pre-abortion ultrasounds is just one example of governors providing the first line of defense for women’s rights. Here at WCF, we work to elect women up and down the ticket to ensure that state legislatures and governments are also filled with female candidates that are willing to fight for women.

But there’s another reason why we’re working to get more women into governors’ mansions. In fact, over half of the U.S. presidents elected in the 20th century were former governors. The executive and leadership experience that governors gain while serving in the highest state office is invaluable—and is seen as the path to the presidency. If we someday hope to elect a female president, we have to work today to secure female governors.

And it appears that 2011 could be a groundbreaking year for women governors. In addition to the eight states that may elect their first female governors, two of the sitting governors don’t face re-election this cycle, and another ten states have female candidates, many of which look to be likely winners in November. If elected, these women will beat the 2004 and 2006 record of nine sitting female governors.

Here at WCF, we’ve endorsed five of these outstanding women: Libby Mitchell (ME), Margaret Anderson Kelliher (MN), Diane Denish (NM), Deb Markowitz (VT), and sitting Governor Bev Purdue (NC). We’re also supporting Linda Chavez-Thompson and Yvette McGee Brown who are hoping to become Lieutenant Governors, a great stepping-stone to governor and beyond.

While we’re thrilled that so many women are taking a chance and choosing to run for office, it’s a shame that WCF cannot endorse every woman who chooses to run for governor. We’ve selected these candidates because they’ve shown their commitment to promoting women’s rights, through their political, professional, and personal lives.

It’s fantastic to see that progress is being made in state legislatures, governor’s offices and at the federal level. But perhaps we shouldn’t be so eager to celebrate the fact that women have the potential to make up—at most—24% of the nation’s governors in 2011. We’ll continue to do our best to elect our talented women candidates—but we all need to work harder to show how much we want and need more women in government.