A recent survey conducted by the Mayors Innovation Project reveals a pronounced gender disparity in political harassment, with female mayors significantly more likely to face abuse and threats than their male counterparts. The report, accessible through the Mayors Innovation Project’s website, found that 84% of female mayors experienced harassment while campaigning, compared to 64% of male mayors. Once in office, 25% of female mayors faced harassment at least three times per month, while only 10% of male mayors reported similar levels. The findings come amid increased political violence across America, including notable incidents such as the recent assassinations of Charlie Kirk and state legislators Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman.
The study, funded by the Barbara Lee Family Foundation and in collaboration with organizations like RepresentWomen and the Center for American Women in Politics, highlights the growing concerns surrounding the safety of female public officials. Former Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges, who contributed to the survey, noted that the lack of public discourse on addressing political violence is concerning. The report also documents the financial and emotional toll on mayors and their cities, including the costs of additional security measures and the diversion of time from civic duties.
The survey revealed that degrading comments on social media are the most common form of harassment experienced by mayors, though the frequency was so high that it was omitted from the report. Former Kankakee, Illinois, Mayor Chasity Wells-Armstrong, who developed the survey, shared her own experiences with harassment, including being targeted with bullets and threats against her family. The report suggests that categorizing politically motivated violence as hate crimes and implementing measures like public registries of offenders could serve as deterrents. Additionally, there is a call for cities to prioritize the safety of all mayors, ensuring they can perform their duties without fear of undue harassment.
The survey underscores the broader context of rising political violence and the need for legislative responses. Several states have enacted measures to address politically motivated violence following recent high-profile incidents. The report emphasizes the importance of public and media support for mayors’ safety requests, ensuring that these concerns do not undermine democratic processes while safeguarding the integrity and well-being of local governance.