Arizona ranks among best in nation for female representation in state legislature
Feb 2, 2017, 9:44 AM | Updated: 11:08 am
FILE - In this April 17, 2014, file photo, Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, answers questions about an amendment to a bill at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
PHOENIX — Arizona ranked among the top in the nation for women representation in state legislature in 2017, with 38 percent of the legislature made up of women.
A recent study from the National Conference of State Legislatures said, in 2017, 35 women will be part of Arizona’s legislature — 21 women in the House and 14 in the Senate.
A handful of women also hold high-ranking positions in the legislature. These women include Senate Minority Leader Katie Hobbs, Senate President Pro Tempore Debbie Lesko, House Minority Whip Charlene Fernandez, House Minority Leader Rebecca Rios and House Majority Whip Kelly Townsend.
Some other states that ranked in the 35-percent-plus category were Nevada, Colorado, Washington, Illinois and Vermont.
Wyoming, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina and West Virginia ranked among the states with the lowest amount of women in state legislature.
