While the presidential race is certainly the most talked about during the 2020 election cycle, what's equally important are the races in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. As we've seen following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who we elect up and down the ballot—in this case, specifically the U.S. Senate (opens in new tab)—matters. Time and time again, we are reminded that the only way to ensure we live in a democracy that works for all of us is to elect leaders that are truly interested in representing the people, and working towards a progressive future.
With the help of organizations like EMILY's List (opens in new tab), The Collective (opens in new tab), Vote Run Lead (opens in new tab), LGBTQ Victory Fund (opens in new tab), Everytown for Gun Safety (opens in new tab), New American Leaders (opens in new tab), and Emerge (opens in new tab), Marie Claire created a guide to the Democratic women running for federal office—including those who are running on progressive agendas, which includes enacting bold climate change proposals and reforming our criminal justice system—this November. Consider it your cheat sheet to helping flip the Senate blue, electing more women to office, and ensuring the Democrat-led U.S. House of Representatives stays intact. (Remember: There are still key races (opens in new tab) to pay attention to that don't include women, like Senator Lindsey Graham vs. Democrat Jaime Harrison (opens in new tab) and Senator Cory Gardner vs. Democrat John Hickenlooper (opens in new tab).)
By no means is this a comprehensive list, and we will continue to update this piece with candidates through November 3. In the meantime, get to know some of the Democratic women on the ballot in your state, below.
U.S. Senate
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Theresa Greenfield, Iowa
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Barbara Bollier, Kansas
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Amy McGrath, Kentucky
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Sara Gideon, Maine
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Sara Gideon is running a competitive race against Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). Collins voted to nominate Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in 2018.
Tina Smith, Minnesota*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Abby Broyles, Oklahoma
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Marquita Bradshaw, Tennessee
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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MJ Hegar, Texas
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Paula Jean Swearengin, West Virginia
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Merav Ben-David, Wyoming
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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U.S. House of Representatives
Alyse Galvin (AK-AL)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Phyllis Harvey-Hall (AL-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Adia McClellan Winfrey (AL-03)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Joyce Elliott (AR-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Hiral Tipirneni (AZ-06)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Audrey Denney (CA-01)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Brynne Kennedy (CA-04)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Chris Bubser (CA-08)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Kim Mangone (CA-23)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Christy Smith (CA-25)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Katie Porter (CA-45)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Georgette Gómez (CA-53)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Sara Jacobs (CA-53)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Diane Mitsch Bush (CO-03)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Jillian Freeland (CO-05)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Jahana Hayes (CT-05)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Margaret Good (FL-16)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Pam Keith (FL-18)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Pam Keith, a veteran, is running to defeat Republican incumbent Brian Mast in a historically red district.
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Donna Shalala (FL-27)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Nikema Williams (GA-05)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Lucy McBath (GA-06)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Tabitha Johnson-Green (GA-10)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Liz Johnson (GA-12)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Abby Finkenauer (IA-01)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Rita Hart (IA-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Cindy Axne (IA-03)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Marie Newman (IL-03)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Betsy Dirksen Londrigan (IL-13)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Lauren Underwood (IL-14)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Pat Hackett (IN-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Christina Hale (IN-05)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Michelle De La Isla (KS-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Sharice Davids (KS-03)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Lori Trahan (MA-03)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Ihssane Leckey (MA-04)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Rep. Ayanna Pressley is expected to win reelection in November. Pressley was part of the record number of women elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2018 midterm elections.
Hillary Scholten (MI-03)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Elissa Slotkin (MI-08)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Haley Stevens (MI-11)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Rashida Tlaib (MI-13)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Angie Craig (MN-02)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Ilhan Omar (MN-05)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Quinn Nystrom (MN-08)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Cori Bush (MO-01)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Cori Bush, pictured here leading a Black Lives Matter protest, defeated 10-term incumbent Lacy Clay in the 2020 primaries. If elected, Bush will become the first Black woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri.
Jill Schupp (MO-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Kathleen Williams (MT-AL)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Deborah Ross (NC-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Kathy Manning (NC-06)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Pat Timmons-Goodson (NC-08)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Cynthia Wallace (NC-09)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Kara Eastman (NE-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Amy Kennedy (NJ-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Deb Haaland (NM-01)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Patricia Ackerman (NV-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Susie Lee (NV-03)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Nancy Goroff (NY-01)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Jackie Gordon (NY-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) is also running for reelection and belongs to the group of record-breaking representatives who won in the 2018 midterm elections.
Tedra Cobb (NY-21)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Tracy Mitrano (NY-23)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Dana Balter (NY-24)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Kate Schroder (OH-01)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Vanessa Enoch (OH-08)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Desiree Tims (OH-10)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Hillary O’Connor Mueri (OH-14)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Danyell Lanier (OK-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Kendra Horn (OK-05)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Christina Finello (PA-01)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Susan Wild (PA-07)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Kristy Gnibus (PA-16)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Adair Boroughs (SC-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Kim Nelson (SC-04)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Melissa Watson (SC-07)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Sima Ladjevardian (TX-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Lulu Seikaly (TX-03)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Lizzie Pannill Fletcher (TX-07)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Adrienne Bell (TX-14)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Veronica Escobar (TX-16)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Wendy Davis (TX-21)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Gina Ortiz Jones (TX-23)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Candace Valenzuela (TX-24)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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If elected, Candace Valenzuela will become the first Black Latina in Congress.
Julie Oliver (TX-25)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Jessica Cisneros (TX-28)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Elaine Luria (VA-02)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Abigail Spanberger (VA-07)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Jennifer Wexton (VA-10)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Carolyn Long (WA-03)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Kim Schrier (WA-08)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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Beth Doglio (WA-10)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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*Incumbent
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