How do gendered and racialized stereotypes interact with evaluations of political corruption and how do these views spill over to other political leaders? While stereotypes associate women with ethical behavior and honesty, racial stereotypes disadvantage Black leaders in times of crisis. We draw on theories of intersectionality and low information elections to argue that racial stereotypes and concerns about political corruption will overwhelm gender stereotypes and disadvantage women seeking office. Drawing on theories of intersectionality and urban political behavior, we use New Orleans and the administration of Latoya Cantrell, the city’s first woman, and Black woman, mayor as a test case for our arguments. While Cantrell ran a progressive campaign that touted her as a woman of the people, not a part of the old boys’ club that had made up city politics for generations, she leaves office as the first sitting mayor in the city under federal indictment. Using several years of survey data and survey experiments, we examine the gendered and racialized penalties associated with corruption in local politics, as well as the consequences for women seeking power after her corruption allegations.
