Money, networks and bias: Why women struggle to win seats in US politics
The US is holding Congress and state governors elections. At all levels of US politics, women are underrepresented — but they may win some historic victories in the midterms on November 3.
Despite women making up nearly half of the US population, they only hold 28.4% of seats in Congress – a number that has been steadily increasing. In the House of Representatives and Senate combined, there are currently 152 women, the highest ever. There are also 14 female governors, or 28% of the states.
There are several factors hindering women's political advancement. Structurally, the system presents barriers: the Senate's six-year term limits and the lack of term caps for House Representatives mean women must wait longer to fill seats. Furthermore, women often lack the financial backing of wealthy donors, a demographic that traditionally supports male candidates. Party leaders also tend to seek out male candidates. Cultural biases, such as stereotypes about women's roles, also play a part.
The upcoming midterm elections on November 3 will determine whether more women will be elected. Currently, 125 women represent the Democrats, compared to 30 for the Republicans. Support for women candidates is more robust on the Democratic side, with numerous organizations dedicated to recruiting, training, and funding them. Republican organizations are less inclined to support women candidates.
The gender imbalance is also evident in the Senate, where women make up 27% of the 100 members. Winning a Senate seat is particularly challenging due to the long term and high expense. If Democrat Peggy Flanagan wins Minnesota's Senate race, she would become the first Native American woman in the Senate. Black women, including Minnesota's Democratic Governor Tim Walz's Democratic challenger Amy Klobuchar and Georgia's Democratic Governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms, also have historic chances to join the Senate.
Bottoms, backed by former President Barack Obama, faces off against Republican Rick Jackson in Georgia, a race that is currently considered a toss-up. Dittmar notes it as a 50-50 chance, highlighting the potential for a Black woman to become the first in US history.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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