Skip to content
Equality

More Black Women Than Ever Are Running for Congress and Governor

The 2022 election is shaping up to be another historic year for women. 

Stacey Abrams, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Georgia, speaks during a campaign event in Reynolds, Georgia, US, on Saturday, June 4, 2022. Abrams will face Georgia governor Brian Kemp in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Stacey Abrams, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Georgia, speaks during a campaign event in Reynolds, Georgia, US, on Saturday, June 4, 2022. Abrams will face Georgia governor Brian Kemp in the general election on November 8, 2022.Photographer: Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg
By

Women are once again breaking records this US election cycle, including a high of 133 Black women vying for spots in the US House of Representatives — a fourfold increase from 2016. Another 21 Black women are also running for the US Senate, where there are currently none serving since Kamala Harris ascended to the Vice Presidency. 

The data come from the Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers University, which tracks gender in US electoral politics. The center has found an uptick in interest from women the last few election cycles, though men still hold the majority of seats in Congress. There are currently a record 147 women serving in Congress, including a record high 25 Black women.