Republicans are fighting their 'war on women' image with these two strong female candidates

Republicans have spent much of the last few years fighting Democratic charges that they're a party not very friendly to women. Unfortunate comments about rape and birth control from male candidates have cost them seats and turned many women against the party.

But while the GOP has had mixed success limiting those types of remarks from their candidates, the party made some notable progress over the weekend by nominating two women who could quickly rise to national prominence.

In Utah, Mia Love (R) was the overwhelming favorite of the GOP convention to run for the seat held by retiring Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah). By winning 78 percent of the delegates, Love avoids a primary fight and, as Roll Call notes, is very likely to become the GOP's first black congresswoman.

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In Virginia, Barbara Comstock (R) defeated five other candidates in a "firehouse primary" to become the GOP nominee to succeed retiring Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.). While Roll Call notes the general election will be competitive, the district still leans Republican, giving Comstock a good shot at the seat.

There are just 19 Republican women in Congress. If Love and Comstock are elected, they could instantly build a national profile and go far to help the GOP become a more appealing political party to women.