A record number of female nominees from major parties are running in this year’s upcoming midterms. The former record was set in 2016.
Women are also winning more primaries than ever before. This fact may shift the American political landscape and bring change to both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Most current female candidates are Democrats, and they could increase Democratic presence in major governmental institutions as well.
Data from the Center for Women and Politics at Rutgers University shows that only 39 Democratic female candidates were nominated in 1990. However, the number of Democratic female candidates have increased vastly since 1990, reaching 118 in 2012 and 143 so far in 2018.
Many female candidates have stated that they were inspired to run by Donald Trump’s presidential election and the subsequent women’s marches. Women have won 200 of the House primaries, shattering previous records.
Many other members of underrepresented communities are running in upcoming midterms, as well.
Two Democratic candidates running in Minnesota and Michigan could become the nation’s first female Muslim members of Congress. Over 400 gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are running for office this year. Stacey Abrams of Georgia could become the nation’s first female black governor.
Featured Image via Wikimedia Commons
