Women Run, Women Win?

May 11, 2018

Women Run, Women Win?

Nearly two-thirds of women candidates running in U.S. House primaries on May 8th were successful in securing major party nominations. But will they win in November? In an analysis of Tuesday's primary results, Gender Watch 2018 project director Kelly Dittmar explains that most of the women nominees will be running in districts favorable to their opponents this fall.

Senator Joe Manchin defeated his female opponent, Paula Swearengin, in West Virginia's Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. But what does his strategy and success on Tuesday mean for women in the state? Expert contributor - and WV resident - Erin Cassese provides valuable perspective in her latest post. Find it here.

Next Up:

On Tuesday, May 15th, primary elections will be held in 4 more states. Before then, be sure to read (and share!) Gender Watch 2018's primary outlooks on women candidates running in Idaho, Nebraska, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.

Expert Analysis

#MeToo and the Midterms

Gender Watch expert contributor Melissa Deckman analyzes new data from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) on voter attitudes on sexual harassment and discusses how those attitudes might affect their voting intentions this fall. Read her analysis here .

Will Female Republican Candidates Stall on Sexual Harassment? Nah, Probably Not.

Drawing from her own research on party differences among women when it comes to perceptions of sexual harassment and beliefs about gender, Gender Watch expert contributor Erin Cassese discusses the ways in which the #meToo momentum might (or might not) shape strategies and success of Republican women candidates in 2018. Read more here.

Teachers are Striking Across the Nation, and Those Teachers Would Make Great Candidates

Barbara Lee Family Foundation (BLFF) Executive Director Nicole Carlsburg cites BLFF research as evidence that this might be a particularly opportune moment for female educators to make their mark on the campaign trail and on Capitol Hill. Read more here.

Public Speaking Advice for Handling BS on the Campaign Trail

Speech coach and Gender Watch 2018 expert contributor Chris Jahnke provides 5 tips for women candidates (and their campaigns) to take on sexism, racism, and homophobia on the campaign trail head on. Read more here .

Expert Take: Stacey Abrams' Debt Disclosure

Gender Watch 2018 expert contributor Erin Cassese provides a quick take on Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams' decision to speak publicly about her own financial struggles, as well as the potential effects of this disclosure on her candidacy. Read more here.