Year of woman looms over political process

Will women break up the status quo “boys club” attitude in Congress and in state legislatures in 2018?

It should surprise no one that women are dominating many of the political headlines these days.

That is certainly the case in the much-talked about race for the 7th District seat in Congress. For the past eight years that seat has been filled by Republican U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan. But the former Delaware County district attorney and U.S. Attorney for Eastern Pennsylvania decided not to seek re-election after becoming embroiled in controversy after news leaked that he used taxpayer money to settle a sex harassment complaint filed by a former staffer.

Women are figuring prominently in the race to replace Meehan in what will soon be a newly reconfigured 7th District. Several women are vying for the Democratic nomination, including former CIA intelligence officer Shelly Chauncey, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Lunkenheimer, realtor Elizabeth Moro and bioengineer Molly Sheehan.

Even before the Meehan flap exploded, it was believed that the anti-Trump sentiment that drove women to the polls in November, in the process putting two Democrats on Delaware County Council and sweeping Chester County row offices – something not seen in decades – would make a woman candidate even more viable than in the past.

Add to that the #MeToo backlash against sexual harassment that brought down several other political figures, as well as Hollywood moguls and media stars, and women are lining up to get involved in the process and increase the ranks of women among our elected representatives.

It has not gone unnoticed that, especially here in Pennsylvania, women have long been under-represented, both in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. The state has never elected a woman senator, or governor either for that matter.

Only about 17 percent of representatives and senators sent to the state Capitol are women.

This weekend a woman threw her hat in the ring for the Republican nomination in the 7th District. Clare Putnam Pozos is among 10 Republicans who have expressed an interest in running for Congress.

Pozos, of Radnor, served more than seven years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. She is stepping down from her federal post to run for Congress. Republicans were meeting Monday night to endorse a candidate.

This new wave of women getting involved in the political process is a good thing. The only way to break the overwhelmingly male attitude that dominates the political landscape – and sets up the conditions seen in the Meehan case, as well as too many other cases of sexual harassment – is for women to have a seat at the table.

To crash through the glass ceiling, to be there to call out questionable behavior and when it does occur to be sure it is not swept under the rug.

Two of those leading the charge against such chicanery in Harrisburg are state Rep. Leanne-Krueger Braneky, D-161 of Swarthmore, and Rep. Margo Davidson, D-164 of Upper Darby.

Krueger-Braneky is in her first term and has been a strong voice calling out the questionable tactics that routinely played out in Harrisburg.

She and Davidson are among a group of women legislators proposing a package of bills to change the way sexual harassment complaints are handled, assuring women are afforded much more protection, and the process is much more transparent.

They have their work cut out for them.

A recent review of sexual misconduct lawsuits filed against Pennsylvania state government show more than 30 cases in which the state paid out or agree to pay more than $3 million.

The complaints come from just about every area of government, including the Legislature, state prisons, state police, universities and state hospitals.

A similar reform effort is under way to address similar routine payouts in Congress. Word surfaced last week that the Meehan case was settled for about $40,000.

A crucial part of solving this longtime problem is to break up the “boys club” attitude that for years has too often been the status quo among our elected representatives.

Women are saying more than #MeToo.

They’re saying “Vote for Me, Too.”

It’s about time.