US Vice President Kamala Harris has been endorsed by President Joe Biden as his successor, setting the stage for a historic potential candidacy. As the first Black woman and South Asian person to serve as vice president, Harris faces both high expectations and significant challenges in a campaign that will likely be fraught with racial and gender biases. Despite this, she is seen by some as a strong contender, particularly with her focus on reproductive rights and her appeal to younger voters.
Despite women constituting nearly 50% of voters in Himachal Pradesh, their representation in politics remains low. Only three women have been elected to Lok Sabha in the past 72 years, and only two are contesting in the upcoming elections. Both BJP and BSP have nominated female candidates, with actress Kangana Ranaut contesting from Mandi and Rekha Rani from Kangra. Experts attribute this low representation to the dominance of male decision-makers and the lack of opportunities for women from humble backgrounds. Historically, successful female candidates have belonged to royal families, and women were reluctant to pursue higher political positions. Political parties also play a role, with a tendency to overlook women with limited means. Despite high voter turnout among women, especially in rural areas, their representation remains disproportionately low.
Three women have held the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat since India’s independence. Now, Mira Borthakur Goswami, a Congress leader, seeks to make history as the first woman from the party to represent the constituency in Parliament. Facing off against Bijuli Kalita Medhi of the BJP, Mira draws strength from her grassroots support and the backing of 15 political parties in the United Opposition Forum Assam.
Delaine Eastin, a pioneering figure in education and the first woman to hold the position of California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, has passed away at the age of 76. Eastin’s tenure marked a significant era, overseeing millions of students in the state’s vast education system. Her legacy includes championing early childhood education, school nutrition, and recognizing educators through prestigious teacher of the year awards. As a trailblazer in both education and politics, Eastin’s unwavering dedication to fostering student success and her resolute spirit in navigating gender bias continue to inspire.
Emily’s List’s substantial independent expenditure in support of Joanna Weiss in the Democratic primary for California’s 47th Congressional District has raised eyebrows and left Democrats questioning the effectiveness of the organization’s spending decisions. Despite spending over $813,000 on television and online ads for Weiss, she finished third in the race, behind Democratic state Sen. Dave Min and Republican Scott Baugh.
Emily’s List, a Democratic political group dedicated to electing women who support abortion rights, typically deploys its resources later in election cycles and has a history of backing candidates in competitive races. However, the group’s heavy investment in Weiss’s campaign has drawn criticism, with some Democratic leaders suggesting that the funds could have been better allocated to other races with stronger candidates.
