This study is concerned with the question in how far the presidency of Donald Trump creates advantages or disadvantages for female candidates for the midterm elections. Firstly, there will be a chapter that deals with the initial situation which was created when Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States. It will give some background information about the lewd history and indecent behavior of Trump towards women, which leaked to the media during his presidential campaign. Chapter three will provide an analysis of two female Democratic Party candidates and their advantages for the midterm elections in November 2018. The chapter will present Kyrsten Sinema who is running for the U.S. Senate to represent the State of Arizona and Chrissy Houlahan, who is running for the House seat of the 6th Congressional District of Pennsylvania.
Another chapter will focus on difficulties that Republican female candidates have to face and present Diane Harkey who is running for a House seat in California’s 49th Congressional District and Martha McSally, also running for the Senate seat to represent the state of Arizona. Within these subchapters, the strength and weaknesses of each candidate will be pointed out and how each of them make use of the presidency of Donald Trump. Finally, the last paragraph of this term paper will be a conclusion, which sums up the results achieved and gives an outlook for future research on women in Congress.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Initial Situation After Donald Trump’s Election
3. The Rise of Female Democratic Party Candidates
3.1. Kyrsten Sinema
3.2. Chrissy Houlahan
4. The Struggle for Female Republican Candidates
4.1. Diane Harkey
4.2. Martha McSally
5. Conclusion
6. Works Cited
Research Objective and Topics
This academic paper investigates the extent to which the presidency of Donald Trump acts as a catalyst, creating either distinct advantages or significant challenges for female candidates running in the 2018 U.S. midterm elections. By analyzing both Democratic and Republican candidates, the study examines how political rhetoric and presidential behavior influence female political careers.
- The impact of Donald Trump’s presidency on female voter mobilization and political participation.
- The emergence of the "fourth wave of feminism" and its utilization by Democratic candidates.
- Comparative analysis of campaign strategies between female Democrats and Republicans.
- The influence of high-profile political endorsements and fundraising dynamics in the midterm cycle.
Excerpt from the Book
The Rise of Female Democratic Party Candidates
As mentioned in the previous chapter, the presidency of Donald Trump has caused many women to take action in politics. From local to state politics, there is a noticeable increase of involvement in politics since the presidential election of 2016 (“Potential Candidate Summary – 2018”). A record number of women have filed to run as candidates for both the Senate and the House of Representatives (“Potential Candidate Summary – 2018”). According to the Center for American Women and Politics, the number of women running for seats in the House increased by 50% in comparison to the election cycle of 2012 (“Potential Candidate Summary – 2018”). Not surprisingly, many of these women are members of the Democratic Party (“Potential Candidate Summary – 2018”). In total, 54 women have filed to run for the U.S. Senate (“Potential Candidate Summary – 2018”). Thereof, 31 women were members of the Democratic Party and 23 were Republicans (“Potential Candidate Summary – 2018”). For the U.S. House, 476 women filed to run, 356 female Democrats and 120 Republicans (“Potential Candidate Summary – 2018”).
Democrats can take advantage of the conservative policy of the current administration and the misogynistic views of Donald Trump. They benefit from the spirit which was ignited by the Women’s Marches in protest of his policies. As mentioned before, when Trump was elected many women saw it as a threat to their prevailing rights. Today, Democrats are in need of female candidates who will support Roe v. Wade (“Laws & Policy”). Now that Donald Trump got the opportunity to nominate a new Supreme Court Justice, it becomes important to have as many Pro-Choice candidates as possible (Foran). Since this topic is central to women, many female candidates of the Democratic Party list health care as their top priority. Within their campaigns they clearly indicate their Pro-Choice disposition. EMILY’s List, who endorse Kyrsten Sinema and Chrissy Houlahan among others, insist on their support of Pro-Choice Democratic Party women (“Mission&Vision”).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus regarding female political participation in the post-2016 era and defines the scope of the study centered on the 2018 U.S. midterm elections.
2. Initial Situation After Donald Trump’s Election: Details the climate created by the presidential campaign, including controversies surrounding Trump and the subsequent rise of female-led political activism.
3. The Rise of Female Democratic Party Candidates: Analyzes the political surge of Democratic women and presents case studies of Kyrsten Sinema and Chrissy Houlahan.
3.1. Kyrsten Sinema: Examines the moderate approach of the Senate candidate and her focus on the American Dream and compromise.
3.2. Chrissy Houlahan: Discusses the background of the congressional newcomer and her progressive platform regarding healthcare and economy.
4. The Struggle for Female Republican Candidates: Explores the difficulties faced by Republican women in aligning with the Trump administration while attempting to appeal to moderate voters.
4.1. Diane Harkey: Highlights the political challenges and conservative priorities of the California House candidate.
4.2. Martha McSally: Analyzes the strategic shifts and the "tough" image of the Senate candidate in her race against Kyrsten Sinema.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, noting that Trump’s presidency has energized Democratic women while creating a difficult, polarizing environment for Republican female candidates.
6. Works Cited: Provides a comprehensive list of all scholarly, political, and online sources referenced within the text.
Keywords
Donald Trump, Midterm Elections, Female Candidates, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Fourth Wave of Feminism, Political Polarization, Roe v. Wade, Campaign Strategy, Kyrsten Sinema, Chrissy Houlahan, Martha McSally, Diane Harkey, Women in Politics, Gender Gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how the presidency of Donald Trump influences the political landscape for female candidates, focusing on the 2018 U.S. midterm elections.
What are the central themes of the analysis?
Key themes include the impact of political rhetoric, the "fourth wave of feminism," partisan mobilization, and the strategic differences between female Democratic and Republican candidates.
What is the central research question?
The study investigates whether Donald Trump's presidency serves as a source of political advantage for female Democrats or as a structural barrier for female Republicans.
Which methodologies were employed in this research?
The author utilized a combination of academic literature, political news coverage, campaign data, and online sources to conduct a qualitative analysis of political figures.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The body contains an analysis of the political climate post-2016, detailed profiles of four specific candidates, and an evaluation of their respective party’s institutional support.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
The work is defined by terms like political mobilization, gender representation, midterm elections, and the polarizing influence of the Trump presidency on candidates.
How do Democratic candidates leverage the current political climate?
Democratic women capitalize on the feminist uprising, the #MeToo movement, and concerns over reproductive rights to mobilize their base and appeal to moderate voters.
Why do female Republican candidates face a "double-columned" position?
They must demonstrate loyalty to the party leader, Donald Trump, while simultaneously avoiding alienating moderate voters and women who are dissatisfied with his rhetoric.
What specific challenges are mentioned regarding Martha McSally?
McSally must balance her past criticism of Trump with the current necessity of aligning with him to secure the Republican base, while also navigating sensitive issues like abortion.
What is the ultimate outlook provided by the author?
The author concludes that while the midterm elections are unpredictable, the high number of female candidates signals a potential, long-term shift in the congressional agenda.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Lisa Schreinemacher (Autor:in), 2018, A New "Year of the Woman"? The Rise of Female Democrats and the Struggle for Female Republican Candidates in the Midterm Elections, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/496135
