Women make up about 51% of the population in the United States, but this isn’t reflected in Congress, where only 28.4% of members are women. Still, with 152 women currently serving in the House of Representatives and Senate, this is the highest number ever seen in U. S. history. The number of female governors across all 50 states is also at an all-time high, with 14 women – 28% – holding those positions.
There are several reasons why female representation remains low in Congress. “Some of them are structural: There are rules and processes in place in our political system that make it harder for any newcomers to break in,” says Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University. “Historically, women were newcomers.”
Senate seats come up for election every six years. Members of the House serve two-year terms without limits on how many times they can run again, meaning they could potentially hold office for decades.
Additionally, as Dittmar notes, election campaigns in the U. S. tend to be very costly. Traditionally, women have had less access to networks of wealthy donors – who often remain predominantly male like many party leaders. Male politicians are also more likely to recruit men as new candidates. Lastly, cultural biases contribute to this issue: “Stereotypes and expectations about what women can and should do.”
The elections on November 3 will determine if more or fewer women will be part of Congress over the next two years. All 435 seats in the House and 35 out of 100 Senate seats will be contested during these midterms. In addition, voters in 36 states will decide on their next governors.
Amy Klobuchar is already a leading Democrat in the Senate Image: Nathan Posner/Anadolu/picture alliance
House of Representatives: More Female Democrats Than Republicans
Out of 435 representatives in the House, 125 are women. Similar to the Senate and gubernatorial roles, their distribution between parties isn’t equal; there are more female Democrats than Republicans. Currently, there are 95 Democratic representatives who are women compared to just 30 Republican ones.
“There is a far less robust support infrastructure for women within the Republican Party,” says Dittmar. She points out that organizations focused on recruiting, training, and funding female candidates mostly align with Democrats or operate non-partisanly. Moreover she adds that “A lot of the [Republican] party leaders don’t see an electoral incentive or pressure” to bring more women into politics since diversity matters more to Democrat voters who value having female representation.
The Republicans hold a majority position within the House right now which allows them to appoint key leadership roles like Speaker or majority leader; currently Mike Johnson holds that role. So far only one woman has served as Speaker: Nancy Pelosi was elected from 2007-2011 and then again from 2019-2023.
Peggy Flanagan wants to become the first Native American woman to join the US Senate Image: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/AFP
US Senate: Even Tougher Challenges for Women
Women make up approximately 27% of senators – 16 from Democrats and 11 from Republicans. Each state sends two senators representing larger constituencies compared to House members.
Dittmar believes it’s even tougher for women seeking Senate seats due largely because “With the Senate it’s an opportunity and timing issue.” Every seat becomes available once every six years; with only a third opening up every two years it limits chances significantly for those who haven’t served before plus statewide campaigns cost considerably more than those running for House seats – studies show females typically possess less wealth than male candidates.
This November midterms could be historic for one particular candidate though; if Democrat Peggy Flanagan wins her race in Minnesota she would become both first Native American woman senator ever! Flanagan belongs to Ojibwe tribe located around Great Lakes area spanning across U. S.-Canada border.
Currently serving as lieutenant governor there she seems positioned well based on polling data showing slight lead over opponent Michele Tafoya who’s previously worked as sports reporter while advising conservative politicians.
Keisha Lance Bottoms is vying to become the first ever female black governor Image: Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images/AFP
Aiming For First Black Woman State Governor?
Of today’s fourteen existing female governors ten identify themselves as Democrats whereas four consider themselves Republican; six among these fourteen intend re-election bids including Sarah Huckabee Sanders who governed Arkansas after serving President Trump’s administration press secretary during his term!
This year marks possible milestone where history could see election involving Black woman becoming state governor! In Minnesota current Governor Tim Walz (a vice-presidential nominee alongside Kamala Harris) won’t seek another term leaving open contest between fellow Dem Amy Klobuchar & (Black) Republican Lisa De Muth along side Keisha Lance Bottoms targeting governorship over Georgia state!
Dittmar expresses skepticism regarding De Muth’s chances asserting Minnesota leans heavily toward Democratic preferences given popularity surrounding Klobuchar who has represented state at federal level since ’07!
The outlook appears varied when assessing Georgia situation however according Dittmar “That race is considered a toss-up; fifty-fifty.” Bottoms has genuine opportunity according supporters backing her candidacy including former President Barack Obama himself while current leader Donald Trump endorses rival Rick Jackson!
This article has been translated from German.
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