ABSTRACT
2018 was a record-breaking year for the number of women elected to Congress, yet women remain underrepresented on Capitol Hill. In this chapter, we explore the literature on why women are less likely than men to run for office, and the role fundraising and recruitment play in women’s candidacies. Furthermore, we examine the hurdles women face from voters and the media on the campaign trail. On women serving in Congress, we review how women’s unique perspectives, specifically on women’s issues, influences their legislative behavior. In an analysis of House primaries, we examine why most of the success of women candidates in 2018 was on the Democratic side. We find that Republican women were less likely to run than Democratic women. Additionally, we find Democratic women outperformed their male counterparts, but gender did not predict primary performance in the Republican Party. Finally, we outline avenues for future research on women in Congress.
