4 Democratic Women Win 1st Bids For Congress In PA

Pennsylvania Democrats strengthened their presence in Washington Tuesday night, and that strength comes from four women. In their first-ever congressional bids, Mary Gay Scanlon, Chrissy Houlahan, Madeleine Dean, and Susan Wild earned spots representing Pennsylvanians in Washington.

The four Democrats were named projected winners in their House races relatively early on Election Night.

Scanlon (5th District) defeated Pearl Kim by nearly 90,000 votes, with tallies of 189,957 for Scanlon and 101,861 for Kim.

Air Force veteran Houlahan secured her victory in the 6th with 175,516 votes over Greg McCauley's 122,896

In the 7th District, Wild won with 97,741 votes to Marty Nothstein's 77,190.

Dean, a former State Rep, is heading to DC after beating Dan David 210,216 votes to 121,117 in the 4th District.

Overall, the four victories helped Democrats retake the House, securing 219 seats, while Republicans held their control over the Senate.

These four Pennsylvania Democrats were part of a larger movement in which more women successfully made first-time political bids.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won her race for New York's 14th District, making her the youngest woman to earn a congressional seat at just 29.

In Michigan and Minnesota, voters not only chose two female Democrats in Rashida Tlaib and Iham Omar, they also chose two Muslims as both women observe Islam.

Tennessee has its first female senator in Marsha Blackburn, as well.

In Massachusetts, Ayanna Pressley became the state's first black congresswoman.

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