More than 300 women are running for House seats, shattering record

Democratic women members of congress.
(Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

A record-breaking 309 women are running for seats in the House of Representatives this year, with many seeking to win in districts that have never had a female representative.

The previous record was set in 2012, when 298 women from the two major parties sought election to the House. The majority of the women candidates this year are running as Democrats, The Associated Press reports, and many are motivated by discontent with President Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress.

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Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.