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Does a Governor's Gender and Political Party Affect a State's GDP Growth during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Author

Listed:
  • Leah S. Sine

    (Towson University)

  • Seth R. Gitter

    (Department of Economics, Towson University)

Abstract

In a vacuum of federal policies during the COVID crisis, U.S. state governors who were female and/or Democrats were more likely to enact public health policies that reduced COVID deaths. Using 2005–2020 quarterly data, we test whether states with female and Democratic governors experienced lower GDP growth rates during COVID. We find that states with Democratic governors experienced annual GDP growth two percentage points lower than states with Republican governors in 2020, with statistically weaker results for female governors. The two-point reduction in GDP growth is less than the economic value of estimated lives saved due to these policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Leah S. Sine & Seth R. Gitter, 2022. "Does a Governor's Gender and Political Party Affect a State's GDP Growth during the COVID-19 Pandemic?," Working Papers 2022-01, Towson University, Department of Economics, revised Jan 2022.
    • Handle: RePEc:tow:wpaper:2022-01
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    File URL: http://webapps.towson.edu/cbe/economics/workingpapers/2022-01.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Covid; Governors; Female Leadership.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • H70 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - General
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare

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