{
  "id": 13503783,
  "title": "Money, networks and bias: Why women struggle to win seats in US politics",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/money-networks-and-bias-why-women-struggle-to-win-seats-in-us-politics",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-10T19:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/money-networks-and-bias-why-women-struggle-to-win-seats-in-us-politics/a-79625179?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Despite women comprising nearly half of the US population, they only make up 28.4% of the members in the US Congress, which is the highest number ever recorded. However, there are still significant barriers preventing more women from entering politics. One major factor is the structure of the political system, which makes it difficult for newcomers to break in. Senators are elected every six years, while representatives serve two-year terms without term limits. Additionally, women have historically struggled to access networks of wealthy donors, who are predominantly male. Political leaders, who are also mostly male, have been more likely to recruit male candidates. Cultural biases, such as stereotypes and expectations about women's roles, also play a part.\n\nCurrently, there are 125 women in the House of Representatives, with more Democrats than Republicans. The Republicans have fewer support networks for women candidates, and party leaders do not see a strong incentive to recruit more women. Democrats value diversity more, which could explain their higher proportion of women representatives.\n\nIn the Senate, women hold 27% of the positions, with 16 Democrats and 11 Republicans. Winning a Senate seat is harder due to the longer term and fewer opportunities to run. Timing and expense are significant obstacles for women candidates.\n\nPeggy Flanagan, a Democrat and Native American woman, is running for her first Senate term in Minnesota and holds a slight lead over her Republican opponent. If elected, she would be the first Native American woman in the Senate. Ten of the 14 female governors are Democrats, with four Republicans. Six female governors are up for re-election. In Georgia, Tim Walz, the Democratic governor and vice-presidential candidate, is not running for re-election. His potential Democratic opponent, Black Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, is considered a toss-up race.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Money, networks and bias: Why women struggle to win seats in US politics",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/money-networks-and-bias-why-women-struggle-to-win-seats-in-us-politics-13506610",
        "published": "2026-10-10T19:16:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}