URBANIZATION, PROXIMITY, AND THE INTRASTATE CONTEXT OF WOMENS REPRESENTATION

The impact of context on women candidates has been vigorously studied using comparisons of state-level data and found to be substantial. Man y of the variables used in this research were measured at the state le vel even though their influence is theorized at the district level and observed to vary within states. This essay tests these intra-state co ntextual influences using regression analysis of state House of Repres entatives district-level contextual data in four states from 1982-1990 . The findings confirm, contradict, and provide mixed results for part icular state-level results.