Senate Democrats Release Results Of 2025 Senate Diversity Initiative Survey
Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democrats release the 2025 Senate Democratic Diversity Initiative survey showing an increase in the number of diverse staffers in Senate Democratic offices. You can find the report here.
Today, the Senate Democratic Diversity Initiative released the results of its 9th annual survey of Democratic staffers. This year’s survey shows Senate Democrats commitment to ensuring it’s staff reflects the communities they represent.
“Diversity isn’t just a value — it’s a strength, a strategy, and a necessity for a government that truly serves the people. Since becoming Leader, I’ve made it a priority to build a Senate Democratic workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the American people. At a time when diversity is being demonized and distorted in too many corners of this country, I’m proud to report that more staffers of color are serving in our caucus than ever before in history,” said Leader Schumer. “Our nation has always drawn its greatest strength from its diversity — and we are stronger when every voice has a seat at the table. These numbers mark meaningful progress, but they are not the finish line. Senate Democrats will keep pushing forward — because I believe the more inclusive our halls of power become, the more just, more capable, and more representative our democracy will be.”
The number of diverse staffers has increased reaching the highest levels since Leader Schumer began collecting the data in 2017. This year’s survey revealed that 42% of Democratic Senate staffers are people of color, up from 41% last year. Today, Senate Democratic offices employ 39% more staffers of color now than they did in 2017.
Reflecting the diversity of the Senate Democratic Caucus, which itself includes more people of color than ever before, 25% of Democratic Chiefs of Staff and 26% of Committee Staff Directors are people of color. Additionally, 53% of Democratic Chiefs of Staff and 57% of all Democratic staffers are women.
- 42% of Democratic Senate staffers are people of color, up from 41% last year
- 16% identify as Latino
- 13% identify as African-American
- 11% identify as Asian American and Pacific Islander
- 2% identify as Middle East/North African
- 2% identify as Native American, Alaskan, or Hawaiian
- 16% identify as LGBTQ
The Senate Democratic Diversity Initiative was created by then-Leader Harry Reid to build a diverse workforce in the Senate. It was a legacy Senator Schumer was determined to strengthen once he became Democratic Leader. In 2017 Leader Schumer tasked the Senate Democratic Diversity Initiative to conduct an annual staff survey to encourage transparency and progress in achieving a definition of diversity and inclusion emblematic of the party and the country. This survey equips the Senate Democratic caucus with the knowledge to identify trends, close gaps and continue finding the most talented workforce.
Building a diverse Democratic staff is an ongoing effort of the caucus. In an era in which support for the country’s rich diversity is under attack, Senate Democrats continue to work to develop a staff that embraces differences across all backgrounds. To date, Senate Republicans do not collect nor release similar information on their staff.
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