Election 2014: Real Girls Run

MARIE CLAIRE: What do you understand that candidates twice your age don't?

MARILINDA GARCIA: Millennials now represent over a quarter of the population, but sadly, we don't represent ourselves by taking an active role in government. Our democracy works best when every group and generation has input. It's time for us to start bringing fresh and innovative ideas and solutions into the political process.

MC: Other than briefing books, what are you reading right now?

MG: Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time for pleasure reading. But when I do, I keep up with what's trending on social media. Sometimes, I skim through Pinterest for ideas on my upcoming wedding!

Marilinda Garcia has degrees from Tufts, the New England Conservatory of Music, and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

MC: How do you unwind at the end of a long day on the trail?

KELLY WESTLUND: If I'm home, I'll walk my dogs or weed the garden. Otherwise, I try to read fiction or catch up on Game of Thrones.

MC: What's the biggest challenge facing female candidates right now?

KW: Studies show that most women need to be asked to run for office before they give it serious consideration. We tend to pursue more collaborative avenues for solving problems, and the negativity in politics sometimes makes elected office unattractive. But to any woman considering a run for office, I'd say do it. We need you.

Kelly Westlund has spent most of her career working for environmental nonprofits devoted to sustainability.

MC: What prompted the career change?

ELISE STEFANIK: I was 7 years old when my parents started the business, so I was instilled with a strong work ethic at a young age. I hope to bring a modern entrepreneurial spirit coupled with old-fashioned roll-up-your-sleeves grit to help solve problems in Washington.

MC: What's your favorite kind of campaign event?

ES: No day is typical on the trail. But in the past year, some of the fun highlights included being the first federal candidate to file my candidacy on Instagram (@EliseStefanik) and throwing the opening pitch—a strike!—at a local team's baseball game.

Elise Stefanik helped prep Paul Ryan for his vice presidential debate during the 2012 campaign.

MC: What advice would you give other women considering running for office?

AMANDA RENTERIA: Raise your hand! Over the course of my career, I've noticed that women are rarely first to raise their hand when someone asks, "Any questions?" It's time more women have their voices heard and step up!

MC: Other than briefing books, what are you reading right now?

AR: If I had more time, I would finally finish my piled-up copies of Scientific American Mind magazine. I am fascinated by the study of the brain and mind.

Amanda Renteria, a former Goldman Sachs analyst, was said to be one of President Obama's top picks to lead the Commodities Futures Trading Commission.

MC: When you're running out of steam, how do you recharge?

JONI ERNST: There's nothing like time with my family, but I also really look forward to time with my soldiers. As a lieutenant colonel and a battalion commander, I'm required to participate each month in active duty training. I just returned from two weeks at Fort McCoy and enjoyed every moment out in the field with my soldiers.

If elected, Joni Ernst, who served as a company commander in Kuwait and Iraq in 2003, would be the first female combat veteran in Senate history.

MC: When you're running out of steam, what helps you recharge?

NATALIE TENNANT: Any chance I can, I grab my husband and daughter and sneak away to my family farm in Marion County. I grew up there as the youngest of seven kids—that's nine people (including my parents) and one bathroom. The farm made me who I am and it is still my conscience and compass.

MC: What's the biggest challenge facing female candidates?

NT: When I was 22, I became the first woman to represent West Virginia University as the Mountaineer mascot. It's hard to believe now, but that was pretty controversial at the time. I was told to go back to the kitchen and make babies. I was even spit on. But I just kept right on going. I didn't do it to be the first woman. I did it because I wanted to represent my university and my state.

Natalie Tennant currently serves as West Virginia's secretary of state.

MC: How do you unwind at the end of a long day?

ROCKY LARA: I enjoy scrapbooking and paper crafts, so I like to hand-make thank-you cards to send to my supporters. I get to relax and still do something productive for the campaign.

MC: Which is harder: law school or running for Congress?

RL: Running for Congress has certainly been a lot more fun. But my law school training really prepared me for approaching issues from a logical point of view and thoughtfully considering both sides of an argument. These skills are vital to developing policies and common-sense solutions for our communities.

Roxanne "Rocky" Lara was defeated last year in her bid to chair New Mexico's Democratic Party.