PA Political Digest sits down with Betsy Fischer Martin as Women's History Month comes to a close

• The Commonwealth of PA has the dubious distinction of being one of the Big 4 states that's never elected a woman as Governor or as a U.S. Senator.

Here in PA did you know that while there are more Democratic women in the State House there are more Republican women in the State Senate. Overall the number of women in the state legislature has greatly increased during my time working in politics here.

What will you learn listening to our pod?

-What the other 3 states are in the Big 4 besides PA...

-You'll also learn why I wear the same "uniform" each week on This Week in PA, and what the 'time' deficit is that women have to deal with.

-Speaking of uniforms, will GOP gubernatorial nominee Stacy Garrity's extensive military background help her bridge the toughness gap in the gov race that women must often deal with?

-And how many women are there now in the U.S. House, U.S. Senate and serving as Governors.

Background: PA Dems, in the modern era, have never nominated a woman as their gubernatorial candidate, while the PA GOP has never nominated a woman as their U.S. Senate standard-bearer.

This year the PA GOP has nominated State Treasurer Garrity as their candidate for Governor, the second time they have set on a female candidate for that office...way back in 1990 was the first time.

That sets up a contest between her and Josh Shapiro...what are the special challenges for each as they battle a candidate of the opposite gender?

As Women's History Month comes to a close today (3-31-26), it seemed like the perfect time to do a deep dive on this, and that's why I talked late last week with Betsy Fischer Martin, the head of American University's Women & Politics Institute. She was also the long-time Exec. Producer of Meet the Press with Tim Russert.

Thanks again to Betsy...and enjoy!