The Department of Political Science, along with Intersectional Indigeneity, Race, Ethnicity, and Politics invite you to PoliSci Book Chat with Evelyn M. Simien about her book Historic Firsts in US Elections: Trailblazing Candidates in Gubernatorial, Congressional, and Mayoral Campaigns.

This book examines barrier-breaking figures across various types of elective offices and constituent groups. The moment in which historic firsts enter the electoral arena, and the unique campaigns that ensure, are shown to be symbolically empowering.

These change agents on the campaign trail become lightning rods for more liberal policies, and their candidacies are tied to questions of representation, electability, and performance.  The distinctive combinations of race, ethnicity, and gender identities represented here translate into voter excitement to go to the polls and participate in other ways.

This book expands the theoretical capacity of intersectionality research and links it to voter mobilization and electoral success.

This hybrid event will be held on Wednesday, September 28, from 12:15 PM to 1:30 PM. The in-person talk will be held in Oak 408; audiences can also access the event via WebEx.