AMES, Iowa -- Iowa voters will chose from among seven women in Congressional races this November.
"What we saw is a big jump that came along starting in 2018 when Representatives Axne and Finkenauer were elected. It reflects that change, as well as an increase im the number of women in the state legislature" says Iowa State University Catt Center for Women and Politics director Karen Kedrowski.
She also credits a large number of female candidates--Republican and Democrats-- to Iowa's non-partisan system of drawing House districts.
"We end up having a more vibrant two-party system because we have more competitive districts. There's less partisan gerrymandering that goes on here in Iowa" Kedrowski says.
She says female candidates on the 2020 ballot are also breaking the stereotypes for women who say they could never see themselves running for political office.
"To reduce that barrier, it really helps to have more women in office and showing the diversity and effectiveness that women can bring to the table when they run for office" Kedrowski says.
In Iowa, the U.S. Senate race and two House races have women on both sides of the political ticket.