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Political Agenda

Minnesota above average in number of women legislators

By Joe Kimball | 12/07/10

Minnesota will have 63 women members in the state Legislature in 2011, or 31.3 percent of its total 201 members.

That's better than the national average of 23.4 percent, according to a survey by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The report shows 43 of 134 Minnesota House members are women and 20 of 67 senators are women.

This is actually slightly lower than in 2010, when, a quick look through the official directory shows, there were 43 female House members but 27 female senators.

South Carolina had only 9.4 percent women in its 170-member Legislature, the lowest percentage and the only state in single digits.

Highest was Colorado, with 39 out of 100, or 39 percent. Vermont was close: 38.3 percent, 69 of 180.

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Comments (3)

Submitted by Beryl John-Knudson on December 8, 2010 - 9:48am.

63?

Sounds pretty 'darn' progressive, eh?

...but only if the "women are above average' I suppose.

Submitted by Amy Brenengen on December 8, 2010 - 3:32pm.

There are actually 64 women in the state legislature -- 21 (31.3%) in the Senate and 43 (32.1%) in the House. Details can be found at www.oesw.leg.mn - the legislature's Office on the Economic Status of Women.

Submitted by Kathy Magnuson on December 9, 2010 - 12:25pm.

The headline "Minnesota above average in number of women legislators" conveys that we are doing great and have reason to celebrate. "All states, including Minnesota, still lagging" might be more accurate. The fact that we are better than most states (small consolation) and still women are woefully underrepresented in Minnesota AND lost ground in this election is the story.