How Did Women Fare in this Election?
Nationally, this may be the first time in thirty years that the number of women does not increase or at least stay level in
Congress. There will be 16-17 (12D, 4 or 5R) women in the next US Senate, compared to 17 now. At best the number of
women in the US House will remain the same as this year: 73. Seventy women have been declared winners (48D, 22R), while
three races (1D, 2D) remain too close to call.
There will be three new women governors next year, for a total of six (same as in 2006). Two of the three newcomers were
the first women elected governor in their state (OK, NC). Here is more on the national election.
In Michigan, the number of women in the Senate will drop from 9 to 4 and in the House, the number will drop from 28 to 27,
for a total of 31 women in the Legislature. This session there are 37 women in the Legislature. Some good news:
Sen. Gretchen Whitmer was elected Senate Minority Leader, becoming the first woman to hold one of the top two Senate
leadership positions.
Nationally, this may be the first time in thirty years that the number of women does not increase or at least stay level in
Congress. There will be 16-17 (12D, 4 or 5R) women in the next US Senate, compared to 17 now. At best the number of
women in the US House will remain the same as this year: 73. Seventy women have been declared winners (48D, 22R), while
three races (1D, 2D) remain too close to call.
There will be three new women governors next year, for a total of six (same as in 2006). Two of the three newcomers were
the first women elected governor in their state (OK, NC). Here is more on the national election.
In Michigan, the number of women in the Senate will drop from 9 to 4 and in the House, the number will drop from 28 to 27,
for a total of 31 women in the Legislature. This session there are 37 women in the Legislature. Some good news:
Sen. Gretchen Whitmer was elected Senate Minority Leader, becoming the first woman to hold one of the top two Senate
leadership positions.
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| Women Officials' Network |
How are Women Likely to Fare in the Upcoming Congressional Elections?
cont.
cont.
Will Women Fare any Better in Michigan?
cont.
cont.
September 2010 Headlines
| © Copyright Women Officals' Network 2011 |
Big Change Coming in MI Legislature
The Republican wave that swept the country also washed through Michigan. In the state House the Democrats had a 67-43
majority after the 2008 election, but saw nine incumbents defeated and another 11 open seats lost in this year’s election.
Republicans will have a 63-47 majority in the next legislature.
Republicans already had a sizeable 22-16 majority in the state Senate, but they picked up four open seats in this election
giving them a 26-12 supermajority (two-thirds) next year.
Freshmen Will Outnumber Incumbents in MI House and Senate
Fifty-eight MI House incumbents (35D, 23R) ran in this year’s general election, but nine Democratic incumbents were
defeated. Thus, there will be 61 freshmen and 49 incumbents in the House next January.
In this election 29 Senate seats were open, due to term limits. All nine incumbents won their races so there will be 29
freshmen in the next legislative session. Fortunately, all but one of the 29 have served in the House, averaging 5.5 years
there.
The Republican wave that swept the country also washed through Michigan. In the state House the Democrats had a 67-43
majority after the 2008 election, but saw nine incumbents defeated and another 11 open seats lost in this year’s election.
Republicans will have a 63-47 majority in the next legislature.
Republicans already had a sizeable 22-16 majority in the state Senate, but they picked up four open seats in this election
giving them a 26-12 supermajority (two-thirds) next year.
Freshmen Will Outnumber Incumbents in MI House and Senate
Fifty-eight MI House incumbents (35D, 23R) ran in this year’s general election, but nine Democratic incumbents were
defeated. Thus, there will be 61 freshmen and 49 incumbents in the House next January.
In this election 29 Senate seats were open, due to term limits. All nine incumbents won their races so there will be 29
freshmen in the next legislative session. Fortunately, all but one of the 29 have served in the House, averaging 5.5 years
there.
November 2010 News