Democrats Planned a Pink Wave 2.0—And They're on Track to Get It

RAMSEY TOUCHBERRY - August 3, 2020

Nearly 75 percent of the women who Democrats have tapped to flip House seats have recently outraised their GOP opponents and are within striking distance of winning, a Newsweek analysis showed—the strongest showing yet that 2020 could bring another pink wave reminiscent of 2018.

House Democrats are looking to turn 31 red districts blue as part of their "Red to Blue" program, confident in their ability to not only hold on to their majority but also to expand it. As part of this plan, Democrats hope to increase the number of women serving in the House and potentially set a new record. All but five of these 31 candidates are women.

Women are significantly underrepresented in Congress. But if a few of them can win while Democrats maintain their vulnerable female members, the party will upstage their 2018 milestone of electing the most women to serve in Congress.

"House Democrats are on offense," Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chairwoman Cherri Bustos (D-Ill.) told Newsweek in a statement.

Of the 26 Democratic women challengers in the DCCC's Red to Blue program, 19 either brought in more cash than their GOP opponents in the second quarter or have raised more total money, a Newsweek analysis of campaign finance filings showed. A mix of recent internal and public polling for the individual races also suggests Democrats are within striking distance of winning several historically Republican districts, which went for President Donald Trump.

For example, Democrat Christina Hale leads Republican Victoria Spartz in Indiana by six points. Democrat Candace Valenzuela is also up by six points in Texas against Republican Beth Van Duyne. And two recent polls showed Independent Alyse Galvin, who is backed by Democrats, ahead of GOP Representative Don Young of Alaska.

"It means our congressional body looks more like America. The better represented the American people are, the better our policies," Valenzuela said. She's vying to become Texas' first Afro-Latina congresswoman in a race against GOP Rep. Kenney Marchant.

Democrats aren't alone in running a record number of women candidates in the House this election cycle. The GOP is also attempting to address the underrepresentation of women—they comprise 50 percent of the population—in Congress, too. However, nationally, more than 60 percent of the nearly 600 women candidates running in the House are Democrats.

Women currently make up only about 23 percent of the House, the vast majority of which are Democrats.

"What's with that?" said Alyse Galvin. She's an independent but will caucus with the Democrats if she's successful in becoming the first female Alaskan in the House by unseating the longest-serving member of Congress, Rep. Don Young. He's been in office since 1973—47 years.

"Women know how to get things done, we know crisis management like nobody's business, especially moms," Galvin said.