State executive leadership roles reveal stark differences in who gets appointed versus elected.

Data & Methods

This study uses an original dataset of state executives from 2001-2017 across all fifty states to analyze selection impacts.

Key Findings

• Racial and ethnic minorities are significantly more likely to be appointed (59%) than elected (36%).

• Democratic governors appoint minority leaders at a rate nearly four times higher than Republican counterparts.

Why It Matters

These results demonstrate how political institutions shape descriptive representation, particularly for historically excluded groups. Understanding this dynamic helps explain persistent diversity gaps in state government leadership.