Women and Elective Office picks up where other books on women in politics leave off. It synthesizes previous research on women candidates and officeholders in the United States, and offers original data and analysis on the current situation of women in the political elite. The introduction provides an historical glimpse of women's success at breaking electoral barriers and the reasons why it is important for women to run for and win office. The essays engage the latest research on women as candidates, focusing on recruitment patterns, media portrayals, and voter reactions to women candidates. They also tackle the issues of how women behave in office and the difference they make while there, including the votes they cast, the priorities they focus upon, and the impact they have on the legislative process. There is also a chapter on minority women officeholders, a topic that has, to date, been under-examined. The book concludes with the prospects for women officeholders in the 21st century, with the authors arguing that the time is ripe for women to achieve real power in political life and to shape the American political agenda. Ideal for courses in government, public administration, public policy, and women's studies, Women and Elective Office offers a comprehensive look at where women stand, what has brought them to this point, and what their prospects are for the future.