Our Hamilton County: Women Hold 40% of Elected Public Offices

State and Federal Districts 3/12 25%

County Offices 9/27 33%

Municipal Offices 18/63 29%

School Boards 19/31 61%

Township Offices 20/40 50%

Total 69/173 40%

https://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15565/Hamilton-County-Elected-Officials

The national average for municipal and state offices is reported at about 32%. Hamilton County elects 25% more women to office than the national average.

https://19thnews.org/2021/04/women-elected-local-office-data/

https://cawp.rutgers.edu/facts/current-numbers/women-elective-office-2023

https://www.route-fifty.com/management/2021/04/women-are-underrepresented-local-government-too-new-data-shows/173696/

https://www.representwomen.org/2022_gender_parity_index

In the 2010 and 2012 elections Hamilton County elected 37% women to office, so the 2022 result is a small increase.

https://secure2.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/Elections/2010G/results/index.htm

https://secure2.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/Elections/2012G/results/index.htm

Nearby Marion County (Indianapolis) reports 38% female office holders.

https://www.indy.gov/

https://www.indy.gov/activity/city-county-council-members

https://ballotpedia.org/Marion_County_Superior_Court,_Indiana

Indiana ranks below average on the somewhat inconsistent summary data available. In general, municipal elections are similar to state legislature results.

https://www.representwomen.org/2022_gender_parity_index

This source rates neighboring states as follows: Michigan 5th highest, Illinois 14th, Indiana 32nd, Ohio 43rd and Kentucky 47th.

Individual sources point to Indiana (27%), Ohio (29%), Kentucky (30%), Michigan (35%) and Illinois (41%) as the percentage of women office holders. Indiana is relatively low for the Midwest. Hamilton County is relatively high.

https://cawp.rutgers.edu/facts/state-state-information/kentucky

https://www.michigan.gov/leo/news/2022/03/16/finding-michigan-women-stalled-at-one-third-elected-representation

Susan Brooks and Victoria Spartz have represented Indiana’s 5th congressional district for the last decade.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana%27s_5th_congressional_district

Although Democrats have begun to stand up candidates for more offices and have won a small number of races, Hamilton County remains a Republican oriented county. Congresswoman Spartz won 54% and 58% of the vote in her 2 congressional races. Governor Holcomb won 61% in his 2020 re-election victory. President Trump received 52% of the local vote in his losing 2020 effort. US Senator Todd Young won 54% of the vote in his 2022 re-election campaign.

https://secure2.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/Elections/2020G/results/index.htm

https://secure2.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/Elections/2022G/results/index.htm

For a Republican leaning county, Hamilton County has a greater than expected share of women office holders. In Congress, women are one-third of Democratic seats and just one-sixth of Republican seats.

At the state legislature level, women represent 40% of the Democrats while women represent 25% of the Republicans.

https://cawp.rutgers.edu/facts/current-numbers

https://www.axios.com/2022/08/09/party-control-state-legislature-republicans

Many notable officeholders have set the example for women in leadership in Hamilton County. Patricia Logan and Mary Sue Rowland led Noblesville from 1980-1991. Jane Reiman and Dorothy Hancock led Carmel from 1980-1995.

https://www.cityofnoblesville.org/department/division.php?structureid=269

https://www.carmel.in.gov/our-city/history

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/2023/05/10/4-women-served-mayor-hamilton-county-carmel-noblesville/70045058007/

Kathy Richardson was elected county clerk in 1982 and has served in the Indiana house since 1992.

Gail Bardach served as a county judge from 2006-22.

Christine Altman has served as a county commissioner for 20 years since 2003.

https://www.in.gov/icw/about-icw/commissioners/the-honorable-christine-altman/

Summary

Hamilton County has been a Republican stalwart. Although women have been underrepresented by Republicans nationally, Hamilton County has elected many more Republican women to office than the overall national average.

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