Nov 20, 2024 - Politics
Washington isn't part of 2024's female governor trend
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The U.S. is set to have a record number of women serving as governors next year — but Washington isn't part of that trend.
By the numbers: 13 women will be governors next year, after New Hampshire elected Kelly Ayotte.
- That will be the highest number of women governors that have ever served simultaneously, Rutgers' Center for American Women and Politics notes.
- The previous record was 12 women governors in 2023.
- All told, 26% of governors across U.S. states are set to be female in 2025.
Yes, but: Washington just elected a male governor for the fourth time in a row.
- State Attorney General Bob Ferguson is taking over the governor's mansion, after Gov. Jay Inslee chose not to run for reelection after three terms.
Flashback: Washington has had two female governors in its history: Chris Gregoire, who served from 2005-2013, and Dixy Lee Ray, who served from 1977-1981, per the Washington secretary of state's office.
- 18 states have never had a female governor before, according to the Rutgers center.