Author
Barbara Rodriguez
Barbara Rodriguez is our statehouses reporter. She most recently worked at the Des Moines Register, where she covered health care, politics and state government. Before that, Barbara was the Iowa statehouse reporter for The Associated Press, where she worked for a decade.
The Latest
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Stacey Abrams announces a second run for Georgia governor in 2022
Abrams, who lost to Brian Kemp in 2018, has become a prominent voice on voting rights issues and the disenfranchisement of Black voters.
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Most state lawmakers earn low salaries. It impacts who can afford to be one.
Lawmakers who spoke with The 19th said they didn’t go into the statehouse to make money. But they also don’t want to be put in a situation where they have to struggle financially just to do their jobs.
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Athletes don’t have pregnancy protections. Here’s why that could finally change.
A push for contract language in sponsorship contracts aims to expand athletes’ benefits during pregnancy, postpartum recovery and parental leave.
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Democrats in statehouses look to ensure abortion rights as future of Roe v. Wade seems unsure
This week, Democratic lawmakers in Michigan introduced legislation that would repeal a law that criminalizes abortion.
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What Republican wins in Virginia could mean for state — and maybe national — politics
Republicans’ sweep of key statewide and legislative offices has broad implications for education, abortion, LGTBQ+ rights and voting.
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In race for Buffalo mayor, incumbent Byron Brown poised to notch write-in win over India Walton
Walton, a self-described democratic socialist, faced an unusual challenge after defeating the incumbent in the Democratic primary in June.
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Before Boston’s historic mayoral race between two women of color, a diverse city council helped pave the way
Michelle Wu wins a historic Boston mayoral race, and a diverse city council helped pave the way.
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No AAPI women have ever been elected to the New Jersey statehouse. That’s expected to change this year.
At least six Asian American or Pacific Islander women will be on the November 2 ballot.
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Pregnancy loss is common. Paid time off afterward is not.
Spontaneous pregnancy loss takes a physical and emotional toll, and some state lawmakers are starting to push for paid leave after a miscarriage or stillbirth.
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Will pouring money into statehouse races help America reach gender parity?
The Ascend Fund is investing more than half a million dollars into groups that plan to recruit and train women to run for statehouse seats in Michigan, Mississippi and Washington.