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Historic Surge in Women Running in US Midterms

by Jim Malone

   Ayanna Pressley's victory Tuesday over 10-term House member Michael
   Capuano in Massachusetts' 7th District Democratic primary virtually
   assured that for the first time, an African-American woman will
   represent her state in Congress.

   Pressley's performance against Capuano was reminiscent of Democratic
   Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's New York primary win in June over
   veteran House member Joseph Crowley, as progressive insurgents seek to
   challenge the Democratic establishment.

   Pressley, a member of the Boston City Council, and Ocasio-Cortez, a
   Hispanic community organizer, are likely to draw at most nominal
   opposition in the November general election.

   The two women are part of a historic surge in women entering politics
   and running for office, in the wake of President Donald Trump's 2016
   victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton. A record number of women have
   won primary elections for the House of Representatives this year,
   according to The New York Times.

   The Times reports that 200 female nominees are now headed into the
   general election campaign, the largest number in history.

   More than three-quarters of the female primary winners are Democrats.
   In the current makeup of the House, less than 20 percent of the 435
   seats are held by women.

   Jim Malone has served as VOA's National correspondent covering U.S.
   elections and politics since 1995. Prior to that he was a VOA
   congressional correspondent and served as VOA's East Africa
   Correspondent from 1986 to 1990. Jim began his VOA career with the
   English to Africa Service in 1983.