ABSTRACT
Among all Latino elected officials in Congress and State Legislatures, women are less likely to be elected, and this has been the case for decades. However, evidence suggests that the disparity is less stark than among their White counterparts. The total growth of Latino elected officials that is driven by Latinas raises questions about the relative impact of gender and ethnicity. We explore the nature of the relationship between gender, ethnicity, and career path of state legislators and members of congress, to determine whether the pathways to politics are the same for Latinos and Latinas. Utilizing the 2014 National Latino Legislative Database Project we will consider the impact of previous elected office on successfully being elected to state legislatures. In particular we track Latinos and Latinas throughout their political careers ranging from holding seats on local school boards to Congress. By analyzing the length of time Hispanics spent in their respective positions and the trajectory of their political careers, this chapter will help to discern whether Latinas face the same pipeline issues that impact women as a whole, or if they are facing additional hurdles based on their demographic status.
