Research and Scholarship

CAWP research and research by CAWP scholars that addresses emerging questions about American women's political participation. 

  •  "Women Voters and the Utility of Campaigning as “Women of Color” in Journal of Women, Politics & Policy

    By Stacey Greene, Yalidy Matos, and Kira Sanbonmatsu

    This article analyzes original survey data to probe voter reaction to the women of color identity among self-identified Black women, Latinas, and white women. We evaluate whether women are aware of the term "women of color" and analyze the importance they place on the election of women of color candidates.

    Article
    Research
    Candidates and Campaigns
    Gender and Race/Ethnicity
  • The Money Race for the State Legislature

    by Kira Sanbonmatsu and Claire Gothreau

    This report is the third in the CAWP Women, Money, and Politics series. Analyzing 2020 campaign contributions data, the report examines state legislative contests with a focus on general elections. It identifies a large gender gap in giving to state legislative elections and examines giving patterns by political party. The report also identifies challenges and opportunities facing women candidates, comparing candidates by party and race/ethnicity. This report is made possible through a collaboration with OpenSecrets.

    Report
    CAWP Women, Money, and Politics Series
    Research
    Candidates and Campaigns
    Political Parties
    State Legislature
  • Reaching Higher: Black Women in American Politics 2021

    by Kelly Dittmar, Ph.D.

    This report from the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) and the Higher Heights Leadership Fund outlines the status of Black women in American politics as of September 2021. 

    Report
    Research
    Gender and Race/Ethnicity
    Federal Executive
    Congress
    Statewide Executive
    State Legislature
    Local
  • Money Matters in the Fifty States

    by Kira Sanbonmatsu and Claire Gothreau

    This report is the second in the CAWP Women, Money, and Politics series. Analyzing 2001-2020 campaign contributions data, the report examines attorney general, secretary of state, and treasurer primary elections and general election contests for all statewide executive offices (other than governor and lt. governor). It identifies challenges and opportunities facing women as donors and candidates with analysis of candidate party and race/ethnicity. This is the companion study to our report on gubernatorial elections, The Money Hurdle. This report is made possible through a collaboration with OpenSecrets.

    Report
    CAWP Women, Money, and Politics Series
    Research
    Candidates and Campaigns
    Political Parties
    Statewide Executive
  • Measuring Success: Women in 2020 Legislative Elections

    by Kelly Dittmar

    Measuring women’s electoral success means placing 2020 outcomes into historical and contemporary context. That is the work done in this report, where CAWP breaks down 2020 congressional and state legislative data by gender, race, and party; puts this data into historical context, with specific comparisons to the 2018 election; analyzes women candidates’ paths to office and strategies for success; and looks ahead to what 2020 election outcomes mean for the future of women in American politics.

    Report
    Research
    Political Parties
    Candidates and Campaigns
    Candidate Recruitment
    Gender and Race/Ethnicity
    State Legislature
    Congress
  • By the Numbers: Black Women in the 117th Congress

    by Kelly Dittmar, Ph.D. 

    This update from the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) and the Higher Heights Leadership Fund outlines the number of Black women in the U.S. Congress at the start of 2021. 

    Report
    Research
    CAWP Scholar
    Gender and Race/Ethnicity
    Congress
  • The Money Hurdle in the Race for Governor

    by Kira Sanbonmatsu, Kathleen Rogers, and Claire Gothreau

    This report is the first in a new CAWP series of reports on the role of money in politics. Analyzing 2000-2018 data from the National Institute on Money in Politics (NIMP), it examines primary and general election receipts and giving patterns by donor gender, identifying opportunities and challenges for women candidates and women donors. Its focus on gender and giving to gubernatorial candidates is unique.

    Report
    CAWP Women, Money, and Politics Series
    Research
    Candidates and Campaigns
    Statewide Executive
  • Do Women Seek “Women of Color” for Public Office? Exploring Women’s Support for Electing Women of Color" in Political Research Quarterly

    By Yalidy Matos, Stacey Greene, Kira Sanbonmatsu

    This article draws on theories of intersectionality and social identity to hypothesize about how different subgroups of women respond to the prospect of electing more "women of color" to Congress.

    Article
    Research
    Candidates and Campaigns
    Gender and Race/Ethnicity
  • Who Runs? The Masculine Advantage in Candidate Emergence

    by Sarah Oliver, Towson University and Meredith Conroy, California State University, San Bernadino
    University of Michigan Press, 2020, 168 pages

    This book is part of the CAWP Series in Gender and American Politics published by the University of Michigan Press in association with CAWP. Meredith Conroy and Sarah Oliver focus on the candidate emergence process (recruitment, perceived qualifications, and ambition), and investigate the affects of individuals’ gender personality on these variables to improve theories of women’s underrepresentation in government. 

    Book
    Research
    CAWP Series in Gender and American Politics
    Candidates and Campaigns
    Candidate Recruitment
  • The Paradox of Gender Equality: How American Women's Groups Gained and Lost Their Public Voice

    (New edition, with a new preface)
    by Kristin A. Goss,  Duke University (2020)
    University of Michigan Press, 2020, 264 pages

    This book is part of the CAWP Series in Gender and American Politics published by the University of Michigan Press in association with CAWP. Kristin A. Goss examines how women’s civic place has changed over the span of more than 120 years, how public policy has driven these changes, and why these changes matter for women and American democracy. 

    Book
    Research
    CAWP Series in Gender and American Politics
    Civic and Political Activism