The Guardian

The wild race to lead the Democrats could break the gender mould of US politics | Emma Brockes

Six female candidates have more chance of avoiding sexist stereotyping than poor, isolated Hillary Clinton
Democratic presidential candidates (left to right): Bill de Blasio, Tim Ryan, Julian Castro, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Beto O’Rourke, Amy Klobuchar, Tulsi Gabbard, Jay Inslee, and John Delaney, 26 June 2019 in Miami, Florida. Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

It was a strange experience, watching the US Democratic candidates’ debate this week, and not having one’s eye drawn to the traditional solitary female on stage. For the first time, more than one woman is standing in the race and in there were three in the line-up; in the follow-up debate tonight, a further three – and what’s wild is how wild it was. A broad spectrum of backgrounds and experience! No one woman carrying the symbolic weight of representing all women!

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