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May 30, 2018 - Politics & Policy

A record number of women are running for Senate

Axios
Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), running for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Jeff Flake.

Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), running for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Jeff Flake. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call

There's been lots of coverage of the surge of women running in House races, but it's also true of the Senate.

By the numbers: While 23 women are currently senators, there is a record 42 women from major parties running for 19 seats in the Senate, according to AP.

  • "Two female senators, both Democrats [in states Trump won by double digits: Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri], could lose their re-election bids, possibly leaving the Senate more male-dominated."
  • "[W]omen stand a chance of picking up a seat in Nevada, where Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen is challenging Republican Sen. Dean Heller."
  • "Likewise, in Tennessee, Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn ... faces Democratic former Gov. Phil Bredesen for the seat being vacated by the retiring Republican Sen. Bob Corker."
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