Historic shift in demographics of Congress

LETTERS LETTERS@USATODAY.COM

Political power in America has always been concentrated in the hands of one narrow slice of the population. Even as other groups have won the right to vote and hold office, white men have continued to hold a monopoly on political power. The question, whether Americans will have elected leaders who reflect their own life experiences is urgent. The midterm elections marked a historic, if incomplete, shift in the power structure. Across the country, women of all races were on the ballot in recordbreaking numbers.

More women than ever before will serve in Congress and state legislatures starting in January. Yet these victories also remind us how difficult it is to challenge the system that zealously defends the white male status quo. The demographics of Senate will remain largely unchanged. America is changing. Can our political power structure catch up?

Brenda Choresi Carter, director Reflective Democracy Campaign

San Francisco