October 01, 2024

The number of women nominees for Congress in the 2024 elections falls short of both record levels and recent election cycles, according to new data from CAWP’s congressional general election analysis, Post-Primary Analysis: Women in 2024 Congressional Elections. The decline in the number of women general election nominees is concentrated entirely in the Republican Party.

Our full post-primary analysis of women in congressional contests shows that the number of women senators is unlikely to increase by more than one as a result of the 2024 election, with a decrease possible based on current forecasts. In the House, a net gain, loss, or stasis all remain possible outcomes for Democratic and Republican women’s representation from 2024 to 2025.

For detailed information on women candidates by race, ethnicity, and party, as well as a breakdown of win rates and gender parity, visit CAWP’s Post-Primary Analysis: Women in 2024 Congressional Elections.

According to our latest Election Watch analysis, women nominees for state legislatures in 2024 have increased compared to 2022, but the gains are concentrated within the Democratic Party. The analysis, titled CAWP's Post-Primary Analysis: Women in 2024 State Level Elections, examines gubernatorial nominees and compares the 2024 numbers to the 2020 election cycle. It highlights potential milestones for women in other statewide elective executive offices this year.

The rise in women nominees for state legislatures is driven by Democratic women, while Republican women have seen declines. In addition, New Hampshire’s all-woman gubernatorial race is set to establish a new record for women governors serving simultaneously in 2025.

"Democratic women are nearing or surpassing parity in their party caucuses in statehouses around the country, but Republican women are being left behind," said CAWP Director Debbie Walsh. "Women’s equality in political representation depends on this changing."



Learn more about state legislative nominees here.

CAWP is hiring a program and events coordinator to manage logistics for public programming, educational initiatives, and special projects.

This full-time position supports key CAWP programs, including NEW Leadership® New Jersey and Teach a Girl to Lead®. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree, knowledge of U.S. and New Jersey politics, and experience juggling multiple tasks and projects.

For more details, visit the Rutgers University job portal and apply now!

New Jersey has set a new record for the number of women serving simultaneously in Congress, with the swearing-in of LaMonica McIver as the state’s third congresswoman in its current delegation. McIver, a Democrat, took the oath of office last week in Washington, D.C., after winning a special election to complete the late Donald Payne Jr.’s term as the representative for the 10th Congressional District. She also made history as the first Black woman to represent the district.



McIver’s term will end in January 2025; she is also running for the full term for this seat in the November general election. 

This new Garden State record could be broken again come November thanks to the potential for additional non-incumbent women winning congressional seats in the general election. 

Click here for current data on women’s representation in New Jersey.

On Saturday, October 19, Politics is a Mother, Raising Hell is Part Of The Job premieres at the Montclair Film Festival. This documentary, directed by Francine Weinberg Graff, celebrates the career of her mother, former New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg. Known for her fearless leadership and commitment to social justice, Weinberg has dedicated her life to advancing women's political participation and fighting for equality. The film captures her pivotal role in unearthing the Bridgegate scandal and her ongoing efforts to inspire “a whole generation of troublemakers.” Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with Francine Weinberg Graff. We are honored and grateful that Senator Weinberg has chosen to establish a Legacy Fund at CAWP which supports NEW Leadership® New Jersey.

Dr. Christina Bejarano and Dr. Wendy Smooth recently joined Aimee Allison’s "She the People" podcast. The episode highlights their ongoing project, partially funded by a CAWP research grant, Deepening Democratic Engagement in Select Battleground States: Moving Women of Color from Reliable Voters to Candidates. In this conversation, they provide insights on the role of women of color in the 2024 election. The episode is available on major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can listen to the full discussion here.