Breaking the Political Glass Ceiling: Women and Congressional Elections (Women in American Politics) (2006)

At the dawn of the new millennium, only twenty-five percent of elected state legislators were female, only five states had female governors, and a mere fourteen percent of the members of Congress were women. Extrapolating from data on women candidates in Congressional races from 1956 to 2002, Palmer and Simon explore how incumbency, social attitudes, and electoral strategy affect women's decisions to run for office. They dispel myths distorting our understanding of women candidates and challenge the reigning theories accounting for the low number of female Congress members. Breaking the Political Glass Ceiling is the most comprehensive analysis of women in Congressional elections available. Why has the integration of women into Congress been so slow? Why are there so many more Democratic women in Congress than Republican? This is a book on women in US politics, with key data from primary and general election for House and Senate since 1956. It is meant for students who need a guide to the subject. Why so few and why so slow? The political glass ceiling When women run for office : discrete v. static ambition When women run for higher office : static v. progressive ambition Where women run : women and the competitive environment Where women run : women-friendly districts Conclusions. With the most comprehensive data that exists on women and congressional elections, Palmer and Simon explore the American "political glass ceiling" how incumbency, strategy and redistricting effect the success of women candidates for Congress.