In fact, that incremental progress represents enormous changes in terms of participatory democracy. This year, women have won 130 party primaries for House and Senate seats, although many are challengers with little chance of unseating incumbents. Mandel and others argue that the progress, while incremental, has demonstrated to other women that high political offices are accessible. During an interview at her Torrance town house, Hahn said her gender has made little difference on the campaign trail. But, she said, in some places women might have a slight advantage among voters who are looking for something different.
People understand that.
Taking advantage of the changed political landscape, she consulted with no less than half the women in the state's congressional delegation about this and other questions. The children, she decided, would remain with their father in California if she goes to Washington. We've come a long way, and I really think it's a lot easier for us now. This year, Wisconsin's 2nd District features an all- female contest, Republican Josephine Musser vs. Democrat Tammy Baldwin. Women could increase their numbers in the House by four to six members in November, according to Irwin Gertzog, a political science professor at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania.