Paternalistic Push & Pull: The Role of Sexism in Public Opinion of Kamala Harris

Abstract Studies indicate that sexism played a prominent role in the 2016 US Presidential election (Frasure 2018; Glick 2019; Ratliff et al. 2019). President Trump’s 2024 victory signifies a tendency wherein Trump prevails upon facing a female candidate. This paper examines sexism’s influence in favorability toward Vice President Harris relative to President Trump across race and gender given Trump’s gains in minority supporters (Geiger & Reny, 2024; Robertson & Tesler, 2024). Using data from the 2020 Collaborative Multiracial Post-election Survey I examine these attitudes across four racial groups, Asian Americans, Latinos, White, and Black U.S residents between men and women. Drawing on theories of modern and benevolent sexism, I find benevolent sexism is positively correlated with Harris favorability among men of color whereas among White men these attitudes are correlated with Trump favorability. White women high in modern sexism are less likely to favor Harris than some women of color, particularly Asian women. Notably this relationship between Trump favorability and modern sexism extends across race and gender. Such gender attitudes can inspire protective instincts toward Harris or seemingly bolster the public’s preference for male leadership, offering potential insights into the 2024 Presidential election.