Hill Diversity
Joint Center’s New Data Shows Senate Top Staff Racial Diversity Increased Since 2020, but Most Groups of Color Underrepresented
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 18, 2023
Contact: Chandra Hayslett, chandra@jointcenter.org
Joint Center’s New Data Shows Senate Top Staff Racial Diversity Increased Since 2020, but Most Groups of Color Underrepresented
WASHINGTON — Today, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies published data on “Racial Diversity Among Top Staff in Senate Personal Offices” and found that only 15.8 percent of all Senate personal office top staff are people of color, despite people of color making up 41.1 percent of the U.S. population; that Senate personal offices representing states with large populations of Black or Latina/o residents hire relatively few Black or Latina/o top staffers; and that African American top staff is the only diverse group that decreased over the three-year period.
“Racial Diversity Among Top Staff in Senate Personal Offices,” which was exclusively covered by The Hill, provides evidence regarding the need for more racial diversity among U.S. Senate personal office top staff. The Joint Center report considers top staff as chiefs of staff, legislative directors, and communications directors in the Washington, DC personal offices of U.S. senators as of June 30, 2023.
The research shows that the lack of racial diversity among top staff is not a partisan issue, but a challenge that the Senate, as an institution, must address.
“While the percentage of personal office top staff of color increased from 11 to 15.8 percent over the last three years, the proportion of diverse top staff remains well below the 41.1 percent of people of color in the U.S. During this same time period, the percentage of African American top staff decreased by one percentage point, demonstrating that there is more work to be done to recruit and retain Black top staff,” said Dr. LaShonda Brenson, senior researcher for the Joint Center and co-author of the report. “Senate personal office top staff occupy vital roles, wield significant influence, and sometimes act as surrogates for their bosses. Therefore Senators, especially those who represent diverse populations, should hire diverse top staff to be more responsive to the needs of all citizens.”
The data shows that states with large numbers of Black and Latina/os have a disproportionately low number of Black and Latina/os in top personal office staff in Senate offices.
For example, African Americans account for 27.2 percent of the population in ten states (AL, DE, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, NY, SC, and VA), yet hold only 5.2 percent of the total top staff positions in these states’ U.S. Senate personal offices. Latina/os account for an average of 30.3 percent of the population in ten states (AZ, CA, CO, FL, IL, NJ, NM, NV, NY, and TX), yet hold 20.7 percent of the top staff positions in these states’ U.S. Senate personal offices.
The research also shows that Senate Democrats hire a higher percentage of personal office top staff who are people of color than their Republican counterparts. People of color make up 14.0 percent of Republican voters and 7.1 percent of Republican Senate personal office top staff. In comparison, people of color account for 36.0 percent of Democratic voters, and 24.0 percent of Democratic Senate personal office top staff. African Americans tend to disproportionately vote Democratic but are gravely underrepresented among personal office top staff in Senate Democratic offices. In particular, African Americans are 17.0 percent of Democratic registered voters, but only 4.0 percent of Democratic Senate personal office top staff.
“Hiring diverse top staff is not just a matter of fairness and representation; it is also a practical and strategic decision that can lead to better governance, improved decision-making, and stronger connections with constituents, said Kimberly Victor, research associate at the Joint Center and co-author of the report. “When individuals from different backgrounds are present in leadership roles, it sends a message that all voices are valued, fostering a more inclusive culture where constituents feel respected and heard.”
The topline findings include that almost all groups of color are underrepresented among Senate personal office top staff:
- African Americans are 13.6 percent of the U.S. population, but only 2.1 percent of Senate personal office top staff;
- Latina/os are 19.1 percent of the U.S. population, but only 5.8 percent of Senate personal office top staff;
- Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders are 6.6 percent of the U.S. population, but only 4.5 percent of Senate personal office top staff;
- Biracial Americans are 3.0 percent of the U.S. population, but 2.1 percent of Senate personal office top staff;
- Native Americans are 1.3 percent of the U.S. population, but 0.3 percent of Senate personal office top staff; and
- Middle Eastern/North Africans are 0.5 percent of the U.S. population, and 1.0 percent of Senate personal office top staff.
To read the full analysis, click here.
Background
Since 2015, the Joint Center’s Hill Diversity Program has researched and disseminated information on the importance of having a diverse congressional staff. Our findings can be found in our following reports and campaigns: “Racial Diversity Among Top Senate Staff” (2015); “Racial Diversity Among Top House Staff” (2018); “Racial Diversity Among Top Staff in Senate Personal Offices” (2020); “Racial Diversity Among Top Staff in the U.S. House of Representatives” (2022); “Racial Diversity Among U.S. Senate State Directors” (2022); “Digging Deeper: 2022 Senate Democratic Caucus Diversity Numbers” (2022); and Midterm Hiring Campaign/118th congressional tracker (2022).
Congress has since taken steps to improve transparency and staff diversity. For the past seven years, Senate Democrats led both chambers by releasing racial/ethnic data about the staff in Democratic Senators’ personal and committee offices. Senate Democrats, however, have not disclosed the diversity of top staff. Senate Republicans have not released any data about the diversity of their staff.
In April 2023, the Joint Center submitted testimony to the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee with Demand Progress and NALEO Educational Fund requesting the creation of a Senate Office of Human Capital that would “help strengthen the Senate workforce. This office could gather and publish demographic data and information about congressional staff in personal, committee, and leadership offices, helping to foster a stronger, more equitable and accountable chamber.”
The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, America’s Black think tank, provides compelling and actionable policy solutions to eradicate persistent and evolving barriers to the full freedom of Black people in America. We are the trusted forum for leading experts and scholars to participate in major public policy debates and promote ideas that advance Black communities. We use evidence-based research, analysis, convenings, and strategic communications to support Black communities and a network of allies.
