Wellstone Action!

posted by Ross Wallen

NOVEMBER 06, 2008

In an election which broke barriers left and right, it is not surprising that another glass ceiling has been shattered. In the New Hampshire State Senate there will be a female majority; "eleven Democratic women and two Republicans will hold 13 of the 24 State Senate seats." As reported by NH Public Radio, this will be the first time in the United States that this has occurred within any state Legislative chamber.

Throughout the nation the percentage of females in state Legislatures will remain the same as the last session, with 1794 women heading into the 2009 legislative session. According to the Women's Legislative Network "women will hold at least 23.7 percent of legislative seats in the 50 states, a ratio that has increased only slightly over the past twelve years." In State Capitols, "the total number of women who will serve as governors in 2009 is 8 (5D, 3R)."¹

In Federal races, "record numbers of women have won races for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives."² "When the 111th Congress convenes in January, 2009, 17 women (13D, 4R) will serve in the U.S. Senate... [and]  A total of at least 74* women (57D, 17R) will serve in the 111th Congress."³ Both U.S. House and Senate totals bested the 110th congress' previous record for women in office. 

*The number may be higher because Darcy Burner (D-WA) (Camp Wellstone Alum) and Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH) face tight contests which are currently too close to call.⁴ 

Now that reality has (partially) caught up with the dreams and ambitions of so many and now that it is easier to imagine the possibility of our elected officials reflecting the true composition of our society in terms of gender, race, creed, sexual orientation or otherwise, let us take a step back, reflect and chart a path forward that continues to reflect the true nature of progressive politics as the collective power of all people.

^1,2,3 Source for US House, US Senate, and Gubernatorial races via (PDF: Election 2008: Record Numbers of Women to Serve in Senate and House - November 5, 2008 Center for American Women and Politics)