15% of Republican women in the House have decided to bail this year
Meanwhile, the GOP continues to attack women’s rights while propping up leaders like Trump.
As of Friday, 15% of the Republican women serving in the House of Representatives have announced they will not be running for reelection. The announcements highlight the ongoing fallout from the Republican Party’s open hostility to women.
There are currently 13 Republican women serving in the House. But on Friday, Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL) announced she would not run for another term. Earlier in the year, Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) also said she would not run in 2020.
The party has been in a tailspin with women, and in the 2018 midterm elections, the party lost serious ground. While the overall number of women serving in the House and Senate went up to 121 from 107, there are now fewer Republican women than there were two years ago.
In fact, the Republican party elected more members of Congress named “Greg” than it did women in 2018. Only one new Republican woman, Rep. Carol Miller of West Virginia, won her race.
The party’s declining fortunes with women follow years of attacks from the GOP on women’s rights and issues.
Republicans have made attacks on abortion services and contraception fundamental to what it means to be a part of the party at the local, state, and national level. These views are also reflected in powerful national figures, like Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices and federal judges.
Additionally, the most visible and powerful Republican in America, Trump, is an admitted sexual assailant with a history of misogynistic beliefs and rhetoric.
When women vote, they have overwhelmingly voted for Democrats. The Democratic Party reflects this, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her caucus representing increased diversity.
The newly announced resignations show that the election was not a one-off or the end of a trend. Republicans are continuing to lose women.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.
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