Stefani Lord, house representative of New Mexico, said Hillary Clinton’s criticism of Republican women was hypocritical given her past treatment of sexual assault allegations. The statement was made on X.
"This is coming from the queen of rape culture," said Lord, New Mexico State Representative for 22nd District (R). "Who shamed and silenced Bill Clinton's rape victims. Now has the audacity to label Republicans “handmaiden[s] to the patriarchy. Hypocrite."
During an event in May 2025 at New York City's 92nd Street Y, Hillary Clinton remarked that a Republican woman elected president would likely act as a "handmaiden to the patriarchy." This comment prompted discussions across party lines. According to the New York Post, Clinton highlighted figures such as Lisa Murkowski and Liz Cheney as exceptions but suggested that most Republican women support patriarchal systems rather than challenge them. Her statements have rekindled debates over gender roles and party identity within U.S. politics.
A 2024 poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 53% of Americans believed Kamala Harris's gender would hinder her chances of being elected president, compared to 40% who felt similarly about Hillary Clinton in 2016. The Associated Press reported that this reflects ongoing concerns about gender bias affecting political outcomes, particularly within the Democratic Party. Furthermore, 60% believed Donald Trump's gender would benefit his candidacy, indicating persistent perceptions regarding gender and electability.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2025 revealed that partisan narratives significantly influence gender-based political views in the United States. The study found that women exposed to liberal discourse tend to adopt progressive stances, while men exposed to conservative messaging often lean further right. As reported by Frontiers, this polarization contributes to the widening gender gap in political alignment and underscores the role of media and rhetoric in reinforcing ideological divides.
Stefani Lord has been a Republican member of the New Mexico House representing District 22 since 2021. With a background in psychology and previous work experience at Los Alamos National Laboratory, she has focused on gun rights and public safety legislation according to Ballotpedia. While she has not introduced major women's rights initiatives, her record reflects adherence to Republican party values and traditional social policy.
