More women plan to run for Congress than ever before
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As of December 7 there were 369 women running or planning to run for a House seat in 2018, according to Rutgers University's Center for American Women and Politics, which would be the most women House candidates ever. The number is subject to change, as the filing deadlines for most states are months away.
Data: Center for American Women and Politics; Potential candidate totals; Chart: Chris Canipe / Axios
One reason: Following President Trump's election, and particularly since the Women's March, women have been more "energized" and "driven to get involved," per the the New York Times. Another factor is the sexual harassment awakening that has taken the country by storm over the last several months, and involved the president as well as several male members of Congress.
- Emily's List President Stephanie Schriock told the Times more than 22,000 women have reached out about running since Trump's election, compared to 1,000 women in the 10 months prior to the election.
- More than 15,000 women have contacted She Should Run since Trump's election, Axios' Alexi McCammond reported in November.
- Anita Dunn, former communications director for President Barack Obama, told the Times: "The year is ending on this note of women who are stepping forward, finding their voices, in many ways doing the classic 'we are mad as hell and we aren't going to take it any more.'"
