Women and Politics

This post was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF communications fellow

What’s the number one issue on voters’ minds—regardless of their party affiliation—this election cycle? Jobs. According to a recent poll conducted by the George Washington University, 39% of those surveyed listed jobs and the economy their primary concern and 16% listed them as their secondary issue.

Needless to say that in one of the worst economic recessions this country has experienced, we need elected officials who understand the situation and are pushing for job creation.

Rosemary Palmer, candidate for State Representative in Ohio’s 16th district, has named job creation her highest priority if elected to office. Palmer’s extensive jobs plan involves utilizing her district’s unique location, infrastructure, as well as the wide array of research facilities to create green jobs that will not only restore the economy, but dramatically help the environment. On her green initiative, Palmer says,

“Our region’s survival will be difficult without this dramatic turnaround. However, these are not the only industries or policies that can make Ohio a global powerhouse again. We’ll need the hundreds of niche industries and innovative policies that Ohioans can provide. If ever we needed a serious discussion about what we all believe, the time is now”.

In addition, Palmer’s journalism experience as the co-founder of Capitol News Services gives her a holistic understanding of the workings of the state and federal government.

Furthermore, Palmer’s work in lobbying against the Iraq war resulted in praise from high-level government officials on both sides of the aisle, such as Vice President Joe Biden and Republican Senator George Voinovich.

As the Sun-Post Herald points out, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, upon endorsing Rosemary’s bid for office, said,

“I have known Rosemary for some time and got to know her well after her son Augie was killed in Iraq. Her passion for ending that war pushed her into public service as an advocate for policies that support the public good in the 21st Century.“

To learn more about Palmer and her stance on other important issues, click here.

Palmer’s election will not only help to improve our economy and create jobs, but it will also be one step in closing the gender gap in state legislatures—where women compose only 24% of the seats. Palmer faces the Democratic primary in Ohio next Tuesday, May 4.

This post was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF communications fellow

Time to gear up, folks! I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s “full speed ahead” starting next Tuesday until the general elections on November 2nd.

This year we have a great opportunity to elect a lot more women. With women holding only 17% of seats in Congress, 24% of state legislature seats, and 12% of Governor seats,  something must change. If these stats don’t do anything for you, how about this:

To close these giant gender gaps in public office, we need to elect: 144 more women to the House, 33 more in the Senate, 19 more female governors, and double the number of women in state legislatures.

Yes, it’s quite a daunting task—especially when women aren’t running at the rate of men. But luckily, we already have a large number of great female candidates running, with more popping up every day.

To start things off, both Ohio and North Carolina have their primary elections a week from tomorrow on Tuesday, May 4. Here are nine fantastic female candidates to keep your eye on:

Secretary Jennifer Brunner: U.S. Senate from Ohio - if elected, she will be the very first woman senator from Ohio.

Rosemary Palmer: Ohio State House of Representatives, District 16

Tamela Lee: Ohio State Senate, District 27

Secretary Elaine Marshall: U.S. Senate from North Carolina

Patsy Keever: North Carolina State House of Representatives, District 115

Paula Brooks: U.S. House of Representatives, District 12

Rep. Marcia Fudge: U.S. House of Representatives, District 11

Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy: U.S. House of Representatives, District 15

Rep. Betty Sutton: U.S. Representatives, District 13

These women bring an incredible range of experience, skills, and leadership to the table that will begin to help us close the gender gap in Washington. 18 years ago, in 1992, we elected a record-breaking number of women to office.

We’re hoping that 2010 will be the second, much bigger Year of the Woman. Are we ready to attack this problem?