Dec 2, 2024 - Politics
California increases share of women lawmakers
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Women will hold a record number of state legislative seats next year, filling about a third of seats nationwide.
Why it matters: California increased the number of women in its state legislature from 50 to 56, but women still make up less than half of state lawmakers (47%), the AP reports.
The latest: San Diego's delegation of 10 state representatives held steady at 60% women.
- Akilah Weber won Sen. Toni Atkins' seat that he's vacating due to term limits, while Lashae Sharp-Collins won the Assembly seat Weber vacated to move up.
- Darshana Patel and Carl DeMaio won Assembly seats vacated by Brian Maienschein and Marie Waldron, respectively, due to term limits.
- The two largest local governments — San Diego's city council and the county board of supervisors — are collectively 42% women.
By the numbers: The most notable increases were in New Mexico and Colorado, where women will make up most lawmakers for the first time.
- 19 states will increase the number of women in their state legislatures in 2025, according to Rutgers' Center for American Women and Politics.
- Female GOP state lawmakers, at least 851, will break the record set last year.
Yes, but: The uptick was small. And at least 13 states saw losses in female representation.