State Voices

[Former Assembly Speakers] Jason Frierson and Steve Yeager — you have two men that recognize the importance of having strong women in those positions [of political power] and they’re not just paying lip service. They are doing it by their actions in who they’re appointing, who they are making chairs of committees, and really including that voice in the upper decision-making."

I think [women’s political organizations] are needing to also shift especially around women of color. I think that…we need to push our allies to identify some of that inherent bias that they have within their own organizations, and a lot of them are doing that. …I think it’s important for people that are in positions like I am to call out some of that disparity."

No. I don’t think [a support infrastructure for Asian women in Nevada politics exists] at all. And I think if you talk to the Latina women in our state, I think they will tell you the same exact thing. …I can’t imagine a woman of color not saying the same thing."

You didn’t see that change [in the legislative conversation] happen immediately [when we had a female majority]. I think you saw it happen going into the next session when those people were now in leadership roles – from being…male-dominated chairs of committees to female-dominated chairs of committees – and that changed the conversation."

Behind the great Harry Reid were a bunch of really powerful women doing the work and…building those relationships and figuring out what was going to resonate with…women voters here in our state."

This is a boys’ club. …And listen…my chief of staff is a woman and I see it through her eyes now — of her working inside of this [state Capitol] building in Oklahoma City. …There [are] a lot of women that work in this building, but that doesn’t mean that you still can’t have a boys’ club culture that can be very draining for a female. And I’ve seen it. And I’m much more sensitive to it today because of that."

Money speaks. While hard work is clearly important, contributing financially to candidates can provide greater access and opportunity to have a “seat at the table.” It is potentially a more direct route to influencing policy decisions."

So specific to Illinois I will also say [that] this administration…in terms of the governor’s office and his Cabinet positions, more than 50% of the appointments are women. And that matters significantly. …The fact that this governor has surrounded himself and appointed the women…directly impacts the experience of women and families and communities, whether you are a consumer of budget items or you work for the State of Illinois."

I thoroughly understand now the power of the executive branch. And it is powerful. And so to have this appointment I feel so privileged and honored and humbled because there is a lot that I get to do. …We are doing all of those things to have the experience of implementation of budgets, programs, and the legislation be what it was intended to be, right? …And inside of that there’s a lot of discretion…and depending on who you are, what your values are, it can go one way or it can go the other."

I think what has [to happen] to move the needle is I think there has to be somewhat of personal interest by leadership, male leadership, to kind of articulate that expectation [of inclusivity]. And I think that, again, on the Democrat side it is articulated. I observe leadership goes to their member’s fundraisers. They will say, ‘Sponsored by,’ ‘Hosted by,’ and it usually is a member of the leadership team. So it basically indicates that we’re supporting here and we expect the same type of consideration [from donors]. I don’t see that as much on the Republican side. And I don’t think that it’s articulated that we expect you to support women as much [as men]."

I have gotten to pass some pretty amazing things, and that satisfaction does a lot [to keep me motivated to stay in office]. …I wouldn’t put myself through this if I weren’t accomplishing good things. …The balance sheet is tough on doing this job, even with the wins. And so, if I was just here to be here, I can’t imagine it being worth it. …I mean like my first bill — within two days of it becoming law I heard from families whose kids were alive because of it. Talk about [putting] that in my arm…that’s the kind of stuff [that keeps me motivated]."

The toxicity of our politics [gives me pause for concern]. It’s definitely a disincentive for…everyone, but I think it’s particularly a disincentive for women because the vitriol that we get is much worse. I lost count of how many people over the last two years during the pandemic got their first death threat and called me first, [telling me] ‘You were the first person I thought of to ask what I should do about this,’ because I’ve been getting them forever as a lesbian, as a woman, as a big target – they’ve been coming for me for a long time. So that was a really interesting moment. The first time somebody called me…[I thought] ‘Oh God, I didn’t realize that’s who I was, you know.’"