Purdue News

May 25, 2004

Prof: Lieutenant governor choices will interest more women voters

Now that both Indiana gubernatorial candidates have announced women as their running mates, expect more voters to take an interest in this year's election, says a Purdue University political science expert.

"Research shows that having a woman candidate on the ballot in a prominent position, such as lieutenant governor, will increase the interest of women citizens in the election," says Rosalee Clawson, an associate professor of political science who specializes in race and gender in American politics. "This translates into women citizens having greater knowledge of politics, an area in which women, on average, lag behind men. Having two women on the state's ballot makes it all the better."

Indiana voters will likely elect their first female lieutenant governor this fall now that women have been selected by both the Democrat and Republican gubernatorial candidates. Becky Skillman, state senator from Bedford, was chosen by Republican candidate Mitch Daniels last week, and Democrat Joe Kernan selected Kathy Davis this fall when he stepped into office after Gov. Frank O'Bannon died. Skillman's nomination still needs to be approved at the June 7-8 Indiana Republican State Convention, and the Democratic ticket will be voted on at the June 12 Indiana Democratic State Convention.

"Hopefully, this will pave the way for these two women, and many other Hoosier women, to run for governor or a U.S. Senate seat sometime in the very near future," Clawson says. "Democratic societies have more legitimacy when all types of citizens run for, and win, political office. Thus, it is not just symbolically important that Davis and Skillman are on the ballot, it also has real consequences for our democracy."

CONTACT: Clawson, (765) 494-7599, clawsonr@purdue.edu

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