9 women now serving as governors, tying a record

With Kathy Hochul officially taking the reins as New York’s governor, a historic number of women are currently leading U.S. states — a push toward equality and representation that could continue into next year’s midterm elections.

There are now nine women serving as governor in the U.S. That ties a record that was set in 2004 and matched in 2007 and 2019, but it’s still well shy of gender proportionality.

Along with Ms. Hochul, women serving as governor include Kay Ivey (Alabama); Kim Reynolds (Iowa); Laura Kelly (Kansas); Janet Mills (Maine); Gretchen Whitmer (Michigan); Michelle Lujan Grisham (New Mexico); Kate Brown (Oregon); and Kristi Noem (South Dakota).

Taking over on short notice for a scandal-plagued predecessor in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Ms. Hochul began her tenure Tuesday with more than enough challenges for a new administration. She also began with a historic opportunity: Ms. Hochul is the first woman to hold one of the most prominent governorships in the U.S.

“New York as a whole has been a tough place for women to break into the highest levels because there is very much a tight set of powerful gatekeepers,” said Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

“And unfortunately — even in 2021 — women are still seen, in effect, as newcomers,” she said.

A century after women gained the right to vote, 19 states still have never been led by a woman. That includes some of the most populous states, such as California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Even if it succeeds, California’s recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom next month doesn’t appear likely to elevate a woman to the state’s top job.

Ms. Hochul had served as New York’s lieutenant governor until succeeding fellow Democrat Andrew Cuomo, who resigned after a decade in office. Mr. Cuomo had faced a potential impeachment battle after an attorney general’s investigation said he had sexually harassed or inappropriately touched 11 women.

Ms. Hochul already has announced she will seek a full four-year term in 2022.

Taking over in a crisis could benefit her politically, especially since women can face greater scrutiny when running for office, said Betsy Fischer Martin, executive director of the Women & Politics Institute at American University.

“It gives her an automatic way to shine in the office,” Ms. Fischer Martin said.

Next year could be a pivotal one for women running for governor. Ms. Brown, of Oregon, will be the only female incumbent barred from seeking reelection by term limits. Six male governors also will be term-limited, opening a path to office for fresh candidates from both parties.

In Arizona, where Republican Gov. Doug Ducey can’t run again, the field already has several candidates who are women, including Republican state Treasurer Kimberly Yee and Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs. Arizona already holds the record for the most women who have served as governor — four. Kansas has had three.

In Arkansas, which has never had a woman serve as governor, a high-profile Republican primary pits Attorney General Leslie Rutledge against Sarah Sanders, press secretary for former President Donald Trump and daughter of former Gov. Mike Huckabee. The incumbent, Rep u b l i c a n Gov. Asa Hutchinson, will be termed out.