Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

Using data from four mayoral and council elections (2002-2016) in all the 345 municipalities of Chile, we study whether the electoral success of women running for mayor have effects on subsequent elections in terms of women participation. We apply a regression discontinuity design to estimate the causal effect using close mixed-gender races. Our findings indicate that the election of a woman increase the share of female candidates in the next mayoral election by approximately 10%. However, it does not help to empower other women to run for council positions in the same municipality.