The current Congress in the most diverse congress yet in terms of both color and gender, and according to one of Ohio Northern University's assistant professors of political science it is most likely because of today's political climate.
ONU's Anne Whitsell says more women have run for office after being inspired by Hillary Clinton winning the Democratic nomination for the 2016 election. She says it most likely made women feel like they were more viable candidates for both state and federal offices. Whitsell also says the controversies surrounding President Donald Trump and women have also motivated more women to vote for diverse candidates in elections, and that a more diverse Congress is a good thing for our country.
"I think people generally like seeing an increase in diversity in Congress, said Whitsell. "They like seeing someone that looks like them in Congress so women like seeing mothers, you have minorities that like seeing people of color in Congress. Having a Congress that's more representative of America as a whole is a good thing."
Whitsell says we should also expect to see a larger focus on topics female candidates tend to highlight like education, welfare, and women's issues.
