In the United States, running for office requires significant financial resources, donor networks and other connections, and the flexibility to commit time to campaigning. These requirements shape who is able to enter politics long before voters show up to the polls. When discussions about the gender disparity in political leadership arise, the focus is on statistics about how many women are elected and how many actually appear on ballots, but the question that is overlooked is: who can afford to run in the first place?

Economic factors act as a form of gatekeeping. Campaign viability is frequently tied to fundraising capacity, which is dependent on personal finance and access to wealth, and institutional supports like childcare or counseling. As a result, women candidates who lack these resources are less likely to be taken seriously, and eventually elected. These economic barriers are not experienced equally, as women of color and working-class women are less likely to have access to generational wealth, donor networks, and face substantial caregiving responsibilities. For many aspiring politicians, these barriers can seem overwhelming, and they begin shaping political participation early.

Public policy and running for office. If running for office is seen as something unattainable because of money, connections, and the lifestyle, women are discouraged before it is considered as a real option. The challenges correlate with broader policy gaps within the U.S., with the current lack of federally mandated paid family leave, meaning many women must choose between income and caregiving. Approximately sixteen states have begun addressing this issue, increasing legislation to include new leave laws and implementing changes to existing benefits for their residents. According to recent research, nearly one-third of private-sector workers are now covered by state-level paid leave programs as states expand access. However, coverage is still heavily reliant on where someone lives, further reinforcing inequalities, as those without access to these programs have less flexibility taking time off for family or health needs. Similar to financial constraints in other areas of life, exclusions like these narrow who is able to pursue demanding opportunities like running for office and other forms of political leadership.

Pop culture moments. Within the lyrics of one of her songs, singer/songwriter Charli XCX declared, “I’m too expensive.” The phrase was meant to exude confidence and explain her values. The issue here is not whether women see themselves as valuable but more of whether today’s institutions are set up to support them. In politics, being “expensive” is not an identity to align oneself with as it can be another barrier to entry, and with a high cost of entry comes limited representation to those who can afford it.

The next step in closing the gender gap in political leadership requires more than encouraging women to run, it requires addressing institutional and economic factors that shape one’s access to power. Women are plenty qualified, the issue is whether they can afford to be.

https://nationalpartnership.org/report/state-paid-leave-programs-cover-nearly-one-third-of-workers/

https://stateline.org/2026/03/05/state-mandated-paid-leave-programs-now-cover-millions-of-american-workers/

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/women-of-color-and-the-wage-gap/