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—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, The Collective, Vote Run Lead, LGBTQ Victory Fund, Everytown for Gun Safety, New American Leaders, and Emerge, 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 to pay attention to that don't include women, like Senator Lindsey Graham vs. Democrat Jaime Harrison and Senator Cory Gardner vs. Democrat John Hickenlooper.)
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
Theresa Greenfield, Iowa
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Barbara Bollier, Kansas
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Amy McGrath, Kentucky
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Sara Gideon, Maine
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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
Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Abby Broyles, Oklahoma
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Marquita Bradshaw, Tennessee
Election Date: November 3, 2020
MJ Hegar, Texas
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Paula Jean Swearengin, West Virginia
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Merav Ben-David, Wyoming
Election Date: November 3, 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
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Alyse Galvin (AK-AL)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Phyllis Harvey-Hall (AL-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Adia McClellan Winfrey (AL-03)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Joyce Elliott (AR-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Hiral Tipirneni (AZ-06)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Audrey Denney (CA-01)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Brynne Kennedy (CA-04)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Chris Bubser (CA-08)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Kim Mangone (CA-23)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Christy Smith (CA-25)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Katie Porter (CA-45)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Georgette Gómez (CA-53)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Sara Jacobs (CA-53)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Diane Mitsch Bush (CO-03)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Jillian Freeland (CO-05)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Jahana Hayes (CT-05)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Margaret Good (FL-16)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Pam Keith (FL-18)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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
Donna Shalala (FL-27)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Nikema Williams (GA-05)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Lucy McBath (GA-06)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Tabitha Johnson-Green (GA-10)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Liz Johnson (GA-12)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Abby Finkenauer (IA-01)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Rita Hart (IA-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Cindy Axne (IA-03)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Marie Newman (IL-03)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Betsy Dirksen Londrigan (IL-13)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Lauren Underwood (IL-14)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Pat Hackett (IN-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Christina Hale (IN-05)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Michelle De La Isla (KS-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Sharice Davids (KS-03)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Lori Trahan (MA-03)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Ihssane Leckey (MA-04)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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
Elissa Slotkin (MI-08)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Haley Stevens (MI-11)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Rashida Tlaib (MI-13)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Angie Craig (MN-02)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Ilhan Omar (MN-05)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Quinn Nystrom (MN-08)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Cori Bush (MO-01)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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
Kathleen Williams (MT-AL)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Deborah Ross (NC-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Kathy Manning (NC-06)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Pat Timmons-Goodson (NC-08)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Cynthia Wallace (NC-09)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Kara Eastman (NE-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Amy Kennedy (NJ-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Deb Haaland (NM-01)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Patricia Ackerman (NV-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Susie Lee (NV-03)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Nancy Goroff (NY-01)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Jackie Gordon (NY-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
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
Tracy Mitrano (NY-23)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Dana Balter (NY-24)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Kate Schroder (OH-01)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Vanessa Enoch (OH-08)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Desiree Tims (OH-10)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Hillary O’Connor Mueri (OH-14)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Danyell Lanier (OK-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Kendra Horn (OK-05)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Christina Finello (PA-01)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Susan Wild (PA-07)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Kristy Gnibus (PA-16)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Adair Boroughs (SC-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Kim Nelson (SC-04)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Melissa Watson (SC-07)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Sima Ladjevardian (TX-02)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Lulu Seikaly (TX-03)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Lizzie Pannill Fletcher (TX-07)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Adrienne Bell (TX-14)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Veronica Escobar (TX-16)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Wendy Davis (TX-21)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Gina Ortiz Jones (TX-23)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Candace Valenzuela (TX-24)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
If elected, Candace Valenzuela will become the first Black Latina in Congress.
Julie Oliver (TX-25)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Jessica Cisneros (TX-28)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Elaine Luria (VA-02)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Abigail Spanberger (VA-07)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Jennifer Wexton (VA-10)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Carolyn Long (WA-03)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Kim Schrier (WA-08)*
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
Beth Doglio (WA-10)
Election Date: November 3, 2020
*Incumbent
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