Following a highly contested midterm election cycle, Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives and increased their numbers in the Senate. With Republican control of the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House of Representatives, will step down from that position at the beginning of the 112th Congress.
Although a record 262 women filed to run for the House of Representatives, the number of women elected to the House this cycle declined to 74, including Delegates, down from 76 in the 111th Congress. Of the number of women who will serve in the House during the 112th Congress, 50 are Democrats and 24 are Republicans. Rep. Mary Fallin (R-OK) vacated her seat to mount a successful bid for governor of Oklahoma. Reps. Ginny-Brown Waite (R-FL) and Diane Watson (D-CA) announced their retirement from Congress, while Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI) was defeated by Hansen Clarke in the Democratic primary.
A record number of women (36) also filed to run for the Senate; six women were elected this cycle. Seventeen women will serve in the Senate during the 112th Congress.
Sen.-elect Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) defeated Rep. Paul Hodes (D-NH) for the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH). She was the first female attorney general in New Hampshire history. Prior to that, she served as deputy attorney general and chief of the homicide division, where she prosecuted a number of murder cases. Crime prevention and small businesses are likely to be among her top priorities in the Senate.
Rep.-elect Sandra Adams (R-FL) defeated incumbent Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL). She currently serves as a member of the Florida state legislature. A former deputy sheriff and veteran, she has been a strong advocate for crime victims’ rights and crime prevention. Health care, immigration, and cutting government spending are expected to be among her top priorities.
Rep.-elect Karen Bass (D-CA) defeated James Andion (R) for the seat vacated by Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA) upon her retirement from Congress. A physician’s assistant and the first African American woman to serve as state assembly speaker, she is expected to make health care, expanding opportunities for youth, and foster care reform priorities in Congress.
Rep.-elect Diane Black (R-TN) defeated Brett Carter (D) for the seat vacated by Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN), who retired. She was elected to the Tennessee State Senate. Prior to her tenure in the Senate, she served in the Tennessee General Assembly and worked as an emergency room nurse and an assistant professor of allied health. Health care is likely to be among her top priorities.
Rep.-elect Ann Marie Buerkle (R-NY) defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Maffei (D-NY) in a very close race that took three weeks to decide. A registered nurse, she currently serves as an assistant state attorney general, specializing in health care. She served on the Syracuse Common Council. Health care and job creation are likely to be among her top priorities in Congress.
Rep.-elect Renee Ellmers (R-NC) defeated incumbent Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC) in a close race. She currently serves as the clinical director of a wound care center. She also serves as vice president of community development at her local chamber of commerce and has been elected president for the upcoming year. Health care is expected to be among her top priorities.
Rep.-elect Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) defeated incumbent Rep. Charles Djou (R) who replaced Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) in a special election in May. She is a current member of the Hawaii state senate. Before her election to the Senate, she worked as a labor attorney. Health care, education, and the environment are expected to be among her top priorities.
Rep.-elect Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) defeated incumbent Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO) in a tight race. She currently is a small business owner. Before her election to the Missouri state legislature, she taught at the junior high and high school level. Education, small business, agriculture, and promoting adoption are likely to be among her top priorities.
Rep.-elect Nan Hayworth (R-NY) defeated incumbent Rep. John Hall (D-NY). She currently serves as the vice president of a large communications company. She is an ophthalmologist by training and the former owner of a solo medical practice. Health care, education, and the economy are likely to be among her priorities in Congress.
Rep.-elect Jaime Herrera (R-WA) defeated Denny Heck (D) for the seat vacated by Rep. Brian Baird, who retired. A former congressional staffer for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), she currently serves in the Washington state legislature, where she was elected Assistant Minority Floor Leader. Government spending, health care, and education are likely to be among her top priorities.
Rep.-elect Kristi Noem (R-SD) defeated incumbent Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D- SD). She is a farmer and rancher and currently serves in the South Dakota state legislature, where she serves as Assistant Majority Leader. She has been active in 4-H and is expected to focus on agricultural issues in Congress.
Rep.-elect Martha Roby (R-AL) defeated incumbent Rep. Bobby Bright (D-AL) in a close race. An attorney, she currently serves on the Montgomery City Council. With two military bases in her district, she is expected to focus on defense issues, in addition to health care, immigration reform, and trimming government spending.
Rep.-elect Terri Sewell (D-AL) defeated Don Chamberlain (R) for the seat vacated by Rep. Artur Davis. A former congressional staffer, she worked as an attorney specializing in securities law and public finance. She has been active with the Girl Scouts and is expected to focus on education, health care, and preventing domestic violence.
Rep.-elect Frederica Wilson (D-FL) defeated Roderick Vereen (I) for the seat vacated by Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL). She currently serves in the Florida State Senate. Prior to being elected, she also served on the Miami-Dade County School Board, worked as an elementary school principal, and founded a mentorship program for at-risk youth. Education and criminal justice reform are expected to be among her top priorities.
