WASHINGTON: More than 100 Democratic women are set to serve simultaneously in the US House of Representatives for the first time in American history, marking a significant milestone for women’s political representation.
Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico, chair of shorten heading the Democratic Women’s Caucus, said women had made history through their votes, sending more than 100 Democratic women to the House.
She said women had been among those most affected by the Trump administration’s policies and what she described as the Republican Party’s extreme agenda, adding that voters had expressed their dissatisfaction through the midterm elections.
The Democratic Women’s Caucus’s campaign arm, Elect Democratic Women, had set a target of electing at least 100 women. Congresswoman Lois Frankel of Florida, a founding member of the organisation, described achieving the target as a significant symbolic victory.
The milestone follows decades of political organising, candidate development and fundraising efforts, with organisations such as EMILY’s List helping Democratic women launch competitive campaigns.
EMILY’s List president Jessica Mackler said the results demonstrated that women could run successful campaigns when provided with opportunities and resources.
Of the 40 seats gained by Democrats in the elections, 18 were won by women. Voter dissatisfaction over inflation, rising living costs and perceptions of corruption also contributed to the party’s gains.
Among the notable winners were Jasmine Clark of Georgia, Melat Kiros of Colorado and Daria Lisa Avila Chevalier of New York. Clark is set to become the first Black woman with a PhD in science to serve in Congress, while Kiros will become Colorado’s first Black woman representative and the first Generation Z woman from the state to enter Congress.
Women account for nearly half of the US population but currently hold only around 28 per cent of congressional seats. Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to Congress in 1917, marking the beginning of a long struggle for greater political representation.
The Democratic gains could also create political challenges for President Donald Trump, particularly if the party secures control of the House of Representatives.
However, removing the president through impeachment would require a two-thirds majority, or 67 votes, in the 100-member Senate. Even if all 54 Democratic senators support impeachment, the party would need at least 13 additional votes from other senators to reach the required threshold.
Political observers say the election results reflect the growing influence of women in American politics and could help expand their role in the country’s future political leadership.