UT Dallas research says Democrats appoint more women, minorities than Republicans

President Barack Obama appointed the highest rate of Asians/Pacific Islanders.
President Barack Obama appointed the highest rate of Asians/Pacific Islanders. | File photo
UT Dallas researchers recently published a study examining the appointment of women and minorities to top federal positions under the past three presidential administrations, from former President Bill Clinton through President Barack Obama’s first term.
 
“The legacy of the three last administrations is both concerning and promising for the role that race and gender diversity holds in presidential agendas,”  Meghna Sabharwal, who co-authored the study with Ph.D. candidate Katerina Anestaki. “Our findings show that female and minority political appointees were better represented during a Democratic rather than a Republican presidency.”
 
According to the study, former President Bill Clinton appointed the highest rates of African Americans and Hispanics while President Obama appointed the highest rate of Asians/Pacific Islanders. The two democratic presidents had even rates of women appointments. Former President George W. Bush had the lowest rates in all demographics examined.
 
“If we want the representative democracy that the government has always aimed for, it’s important to have competent people in leadership positions who reflect the general demographics of the population,” Sabharwal said. “Shared values between citizens and administrators lead the latter to make decisions on behalf of, and for, the interest of citizens. Ensuring greater workforce diversity has become a fundamental value for political actors and institutions.”