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Racial resentment, sexism, and evaluations of Kamala Harris in the 2020 U.S. presidential election

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  • Jonathan Knuckey
  • Adrienne Mathews

Abstract

Objective This article examines the effect of racial attitudes and sexism on evaluations of Kamala Harris. It also compares the effect of these variables on evaluations of other Democratic politicians: Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton. Methods Data are taken from the 2020 American National Election Studies, using feeling thermometers for Harris, Biden, and Obama, and from the 2016 American National Election Studies for Clinton. Our primary independent variables are racial resentment and three measures of sexism: modern, hostile, and traditional sexism. Results Racial resentment, modern sexism, and traditional sexism exerted an effect on evaluations of Kamala Harris above and beyond other explanatory variables, including party identification and ideology. However, these effects did not differ considerably from those found for Biden, Obama, and Clinton. Conclusions Racial resentment and sexism appear to be related to evaluations of any Democratic presidential or vice presidential nominee, reflecting how they have become salient in defining party identities. We speculate, however, that their effects might be even more visible for black women at the top of a presidential ticket, and provide major headwinds into which Kamala Harris may have to run when contemplating any future presidential candidacy of her own.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Knuckey & Adrienne Mathews, 2024. "Racial resentment, sexism, and evaluations of Kamala Harris in the 2020 U.S. presidential election," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 105(4), pages 1266-1279, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:105:y:2024:i:4:p:1266-1279
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.13405
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jonathan Knuckey, 2019. "“I Just Don't Think She Has a Presidential Look”: Sexism and Vote Choice in the 2016 Election," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 100(1), pages 342-358, February.
    2. Tasha S. Philpot & Hanes Walton, 2007. "One of Our Own: Black Female Candidates and the Voters Who Support Them," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 51(1), pages 49-62, January.
    3. Jonathan Knuckey & Myunghee Kim, 2020. "The Politics of White Racial Identity and Vote Choice in the 2018 Midterm Elections," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 101(4), pages 1584-1599, July.
    4. Alexandra Filindra & E. J. Fagan, 2022. "Black, immigrant, or woman? The implicit influence of Kamala Harris’ vice presidential nomination on support for Biden in 2020," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 103(4), pages 892-906, July.
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