Race, Gender, Sexuality, and the Politics of the American Judiciary

The judicial system in a liberal democracy is deemed to be an independent branch of government with judges free from political agendas or societal pressures. In reality, judges are often influenced by their economic and social backgrounds, gender, race, religion, and sexuality. This volume explores the representation of different identities in the judiciary in the United States. The contributors investigate the pipeline, ambition, institutional inclusion, retention, and representation of groups previously excluded from federal, state, and local judiciaries. This study demonstrates how diversity on the bench improves the quality of justice, bolsters confidence in the legitimacy of the courts, and provides a vital voice in decision-making power for formerly disenfranchised populations.

1. Qualification, selection, and retirement characteristics of women, minorities, and minority women state Supreme Court judges Nancy Bays Arrington; 2. Latinas and the Texas judiciary: the intersection of race, gender, and judiciary Sharon A. Navarro; 3. Structural and partisan influences on the ascension of women of color to state appellate courts Barbara L. Graham and Adriano Udani; 4. LGBT judges in the US Donald Haider-Markel and Patrick Gauding; 5. Race, gender, and the battle to seat Constance Baker Motley, the first black woman appoint to the federal bench Taneisha Nicole Means; 6. Diversity abound: will federal judicial appointees mirror a changing citizenry? Shenita Brazelton and LaTasha Chaffin; 7. Marked for excellence: race, gender, and the treatment of Supreme Court-worthy nominees to the US courts of appeals Lisa M. Holmes; 8. Navigating rising to the top: Justice Sotomayor Samantha L. Hernandez.

Samantha L. Hernandez is Director of Legislative Affairs for the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students. She is co-editor of Latinas in American Politics: Changing and Embracing Political Tradition (2016). Her work has been featured in Politics and Gender, the New York Times, Bloomberg News, and Chronicle of Higher Education.
Sharon A. Navarro is Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas, San Antonio. Her research interests focus on Latinos-as in American politics, women and politics, and race-ethnic, gender and public policy. She is co-editor of Latinas in American Politics (2016), The Roots of Latino Urban Agency (2013), and Latino Americans and Political Participation (2004). She is also co-author of Politicas: Latina Public Officials in Texas (2008) and author of Latina Legislator: Leticia Van De Putte and the Road to Leadership (2008).