You Have to Create the Right Pipeline: Why California Has Never Elected a Woman Governor

California has produced some of the most important women leaders in American politics in recent decades. Yet California remains one of 20 states where a woman has not served as governor. This isn’t for lack of trying. Since 1978, 16 women have appeared on primary ballots and three have been party nominees. Why have so many women run, and yet none have won? Political science research, our own data gathering, as well as journalistic accounts, provide a few possible insights.