United States Congress to see record number of women

A record 159 women from both parties are projected to serve in the next United States Congress, according to data from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University and CNN election projections. This represents an increase of seven women compared to the current House and Senate.

The incoming cohort is noted for its diversity, including the first female Native American senator, Colorado’s first Black female representative, and the first Hispanic representative from Nebraska. While female representation in Congress will rise to 30% in January, it remains approximately 100 seats short of gender parity.

These gains are primarily concentrated among Democratic women and within the House of Representatives, whereas the number of women in the Senate is expected to decrease. Additionally, a record 17 women are projected to serve as governors, including Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia, who would be the first Black woman elected to that office.