"When they do run, women do have a slight advantage," said Frederick, who teaches at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts. "Voters typically see them as more honest than male candidates."
Barb Brown, Democratic state precinct committeewoman, agreed. But in Randolph County where Brown was elected as circuit clerk, Pat Laramore serves as county clerk and Shirlie Robinson serves as treasurer, Brown thinks that attitude is changing.
"I remember a time when women would work for the party and in a county office and a vacancy would come open for one of these jobs, and we would ask them to run and they would say they didn't think they could," Brown said. "They were already running the office, had the skills, providing the leadership, but they didn't have the confidence in themselves."
"When they do run, women do have a slight advantage," said Frederick, who teaches at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts. "Voters typically see them as more honest than male candidates."
Barb Brown, Democratic state precinct committeewoman, agreed. But in Randolph County where Brown was elected as circuit clerk, Pat Laramore serves as county clerk and Shirlie Robinson serves as treasurer, Brown thinks that attitude is changing.
"I remember a time when women would work for the party and in a county office and a vacancy would come open for one of these jobs, and we would ask them to run and they would say they didn't think they could," Brown said. "They were already running the office, had the skills, providing the leadership, but they didn't have the confidence in themselves."