October 23, 2008

Marking the longest nomination process in U.S. history, the 2008 election cycle has hosted record breaking fundraising efforts, voter turnout and a long battle for the first women or African American to become the Democratic nominee. Government professor Michele Swers discusses the role of women in Presidential and Congressional races, the gender gap in voting, the challenges of moving from Congress to the Oval Office, and close Congressional races.

Michele Swers is an Associate Professor of American Government in the Department of Government. Her research and teaching interests encompass the U.S. Congress, women and politics (particularly women office holders, female political candidates, the voter gender gap in elections,and the role of women's interest groups like EMILY's List or NOW on elections) and issues of representation. She is also interested in understanding how representatives' legislative choices are conditioned by their position within the institution and the pressures exerted by party leadership and the political context.