In the late 1990s, I looked at some statistics about the Central Valley of California and determined that female candidates were at a disadvantage there.  My general conclusion was that a female candidate did better in the coastal areas of California than in the Central Valley – especially in the Republican leaning districts.

Based on what has happened over the past few cycles, this has clearly changed – just take a look at the Central part of the state in just this year alone.

In addition to Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina running strong races for the top of the Republican ticket, the Republicans have a strong female presence in high profile races in the Central Valley.  Even if the female candidates don’t win all their races, they are very competitive.

Assemblywoman Sharon Runner represented the High Desert in North Los Angeles County for six years in the Assembly.  Assemblywoman Audra Strickland currently holds a seat that is based in Ventura County but has a small slice of Kern County.

In Bakersfield, Assemblywoman Jean Fuller is a lock to replace termed out Senator Roy Ashburn.  Running a strong race to replace her in the Assembly is Shannon Grove. 

In the 34th Assembly District that has an anchor in Tulare County, Assemblywoman Connie Conway is seeking a second term.  Moving to the west, former Shafter Mayor Fran Florez is running for the seat that was once held by her son.  The seat runs from Bakersfield, includes all of Kings County and goes into Tulare and Fresno Counties.

Even further to the west, Etta Waterfield is one of the leading candidates to replace Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee in San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara Counties.

In Fresno we have Mayor Ashley Swearengin who is a rising star in the state.  In the Villines Assembly seat (AD 29), Dr. Linda Halderman is a strong candidate.  

In the 25th Assembly District that includes Stanislaus and Madera Counties, three women are running strong:  Modesto City Councilwoman Kristin Olsen, former Modesto City Councilwoman Janice Keating, and Tuolumne County Supervisor Terri Murrison.

This area of the state also is going to be the scene of a battle to replace Senator Jeff Denham. The nominee from the Democratic Party will be Assemblywoman Anna Caballero.

Assemblywoman Kathleen Galgiani has represented the 17^th Assembly District, which includes all of Merced County as well as parts of Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties, for two terms now.

The 15th Assembly District that is mostly in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties also comes over into the Galt and Stockton area.  It is currently represented by Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan.

Then in the Board of Equalization seat, Barbara Alby is one of three major candidates to replace Bill Leonard. 

You can draw a line from Ventura County along the coast all the way to Sacramento and find competitive races that involve female candidates.  It says a great deal about our state and the way the region has changed in the past twenty years.

Funny thing is that Mary Bono Mack is the only female Republican member of the California Congressional delegation.  It is just a matter of time before this changes too.

 

This entry was posted on Monday, April 19th, 2010 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.