ABSTRACT
The current era has seen historic highs for elective officeholding by U.S. women of color. However, statewide executive offices (e.g., governor, secretary of state, and attorney general) remain elusive. This study focuses on the pathways that minority women take to these offices and analyzes differences by race/ethnicity and political party. It finds that a disproportionate share of minority women have achieved office through somewhat atypical means, such as by appointment to fill a vacancy or selection to be the lieutenant governor candidate. Meanwhile, statewide party nominating conventions have helped women of color reach state office in unexpected states.
