Can 2010 be the year of the woman governor?
In three weeks, we will be down to only 6 states with a female governor. ElectWomen Magazine has a sobering look at where women stand historically in the state’s highest office:
2009 began with a record nine women governors and by the end of July; there will be only six. In 1994, a record 34 women filed to run for governor and 10 won their primaries. Again 10 women ran for governor in 2002 and 2006. According to the Center for American Women and Politics, a total of 31 women governors have served in 23 states. Kentucky elected a woman governor, Martha Layne Collins in 1984, but no woman has run for governor since. Twenty-seven states have never elected a woman governor.
Luckily, there is hope. There are 15 women currently running for governor in 2010, according to The Center for American Women and Politics. And just in Minnesota, we already have 7 female candidates at least not ruling out a run (down from 8 when the post first ran, due to Rep. Brod’s unfortunate health care issue).
Can 2010 be the year of the woman governor? All I can say is, it’s about time…
WoMN Focus is now listed on ElectWomen Magazine – http://www.electwomen.com.