By Kathy Groob, Publisher ElectWomen Magazine – What do the 2011 off-year elections mean for women?  More than you would think.  While most states are “dark”, with no major elections on November 8^th, local city races are heating up in the final two weeks and will make a major impact upon the pipeline for women in public office.

Statewide
Kentucky is holding statewide elections on November 8^th, and two women are vying to keep at least one female holding statewide office in the Bluegrass state.  Political newcomer, Alison Lundergan Grimes is running for Secretary of State.  Lexington-Fayette Councilwoman K.C. Crosbie is running for State Treasurer, only to abolish the office.  Mississippi is holding statewide and legislative races and feature several women running for top offices.  Lynn Fitch and Connie Moran face off for State Treasurer, Cindy Hyde-Smith is running for Agriculture Commissioner, Dorothy Banford is seeking the office of Transportation Commissioner and Addie Green is running for Public Service Commissioner.

State Legislative
Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia are holding elections for their state legislatures.  Forty-four women are running for house and senate seats in Mississippi.  In New Jersey, 67 women are running for senate and assembly member seats.  Virginia has 35 women on the ballot for house and delegate seats.

City Elections
A number of women are on the ballot for local city elections in small and large cities across the country.  Most city legislative offices are two-year terms and its members and challengers must run every two years.  One exception is with Houston’s Mayor Annise Parker who is up for re-election after serving just two years in office.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is on the ballot for Baltimore mayor and Melina Kennedy is running to become the first woman mayor of Indianapolis.  Ayanna Pressley is working to hold onto her Boston City Council seat.  City elections are being held on November 1^st in Colorado and for Miami city offices.  Nine women are on the ballot for Cincinnati’s City Council. Miriam Martinez is running for sheriff of Mercer County, New Jersey.

Local elections for women are more important than ever so that we begin to build the pipeline with women candidates to eventually run for governor and congress.

Visit www.electwomen.com for election night results.

Election data courtesy of The Center for American Women & Politics at Rutgers University.