GOP Girl Power

By Jayme Chandler

In 2018, Republican women lost ten seats in the House. Dropping from 23 to just 13 members, while Democrats gained 24 seats, including 21 flipped seats. Politically, it was a disaster for the Republicans and lead to the now infamous coining of 2018 as the “Year of the Democratic Woman.” 2020 was the year of the Republican woman. Led by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York 21, Republican women made unprecedented strides, nearly doubling their total representation to 29 seats in the House. With so many new additions and a diversity of thoughts and opinions from firebrand Marjorie Greene to California tax hawk Michelle Steele, keeping track of all these strong, powerful women is a feat in itself. In honor of the new Congress being sworn in, The Conservateur is proud to present this year’s female Republican House additions.

Before we begin, it’s essential to acknowledge that the reason so many Republican women were elected this cycle was due to the incredible primary support network built in the aftermath of the 2018 midterms. Rep. Elise Stefanik leads the charge for these newly elected Congresswomen by raising money, providing guidance, and creating a Republican primary machine that will continue to push for female Republican candidates in the future. We could not be more thankful for Rep. Stefanik’s work or the work of all the amazing women on the campaign trail and at the RNC.

Stephanie Bice

Stephanie Bice unseated Democratic Rep. Kendra Horn in Oklahoma district 5- a massive upset for the Democrats. Bice won her seat by supporting the police and advocating for safety in her district, as well as promising to fight far-left socialism on the Hill. Bice also campaigned on overturning the Oklahoma liquor laws and getting deficit spending under control. 

A traditional conservative, Bice wants to restore American values of grit, hard work, and faith that matches her Oklahoma constituency. 

Lauren Boebert

Lauren Boebert fired up her Republican base in Colorado’s open 3rd district with her strong support for the Second Amendment. A small restaurant owner, Boebert generated controversy and national coverage when she allowed her servers to open carry. Bringing her conservative firebrand energy to Congress, she is sure to push back on unconstitutional gun-grabbing laws. Rep. Boebert defeated five-term and Trump-endorsed Rep. Scott Tipton in the Republican primary.

Undeterred by the liberal press coverage, Boebert is a fighter for conservative causes and refused to back down to the mob. She is a member to watch out for, and we are sure she will be shaking up Congress and fighting to drain the swamp.

Kat Cammack

Kat Cammack hails from Florida and is taking over for Republican Rep. Ted Yoho, who announced his retirement in 2019. Interestingly Cammack was a staffer in Rep. Yoho’s office and became his Deputy Chief of Staff at the young age of 24. She knows how Washington works and is ready to carry on Yoho’s legacy for her Floridian constituents. She is also the youngest Republican woman elected to Congress in the 2020 election cycle at 32.

Cammack is a huge supporter of first responders and even founded a nonprofit to support our frontline workers. Young but experienced, we are excited to watch Cammack’s career flourish in Congress.

Michelle Fischbach

In one of the GOP’s most exciting victories, Michelle Fischbach flipped Minnesota’s 7th congressional district, unseating Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson. This flip was highly anticipated given that President Trump won this district by 30 points in 2016, and Rep. Collin voted in favor of impeaching the President last year.

Fischbach will represent the dark red congressional district and strongly supports President Trump’s agenda. She was previously Minnesota’s Lt. Governor and will surely bring much-needed experience and wisdom to Washington’s political scene.

Diana Harshbarger

After Republican Rep. Phil Roe announced he would be retiring, Diana Harshabger competed in a primary of 16 Republicans to win Tennessee’s 1st district. Coming out on top, Harshbarger campaigned on religious freedom, fighting the opioid crisis, and anti-abortion advocacy. She swiftly defeated Democrat Blair Walsingham by more than 50%.

She is the 5th woman elected to Congress in Tennessee, and we cannot wait for the work she will do to advance the conservative cause.

Yvette Herrell

Previously serving as a New Mexico state legislator, Yvette Herrell unseated Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small in a massive upset in New Mexico’s 2nd district. Herrell and Small ran against each other in 2018, which Small won by a narrow margin of 3,800 votes. Luckily, Herrell took victory this election cycle. 

A proud Native American and New Mexican, Herrell promises to fight for better jobs in New Mexico. She is a strong supporter of oil and gas, small businesses, the border wall, and President Trump’s agenda.

Ashley Hinson

In another flipped race, Ashley Hinson unseated first-time Democrat Rep. Abby Finkenauer in Iowa 1. Rep. Hinson was previously a representative in the Iowa House and previously worked as a local news reporter. A proud mother and unabashed pragmatist, Rep. Hinson’s no-nonsense approach to helping everyday Iowans helped her lead funding initiatives for school infrastructure and K-12 education. 

Rep. Hinson is living proof that women can really do it all, and we can’t wait to see her work her bipartisan chops to save America’s education system.

Young Kim

Like Michelle Steele in California 48, Young Kim flipped a traditionally-red Orange County seat previously lost in 2018 to Democrat Gil Cisneros. A nationally-followed race, Democrats spent more than $20 million to maintain their presence in Orange County, but Kim’s background as a Korean immigrant and broad bipartisan support prevailed. 

Rep. Kim is a testament to the American dream and the incredible drive and work ethic of America’s first-generation immigrant population. We could not be more proud of her victory.

Nancy Mace

In a nationally-followed race, Nance Mace defeated Democratic incumbent Joe Cunningham to take control of South Carolina 1. Mace, a Lowcountry native, single mother, and the first female graduate of The Citadel (a South Carolina military academy) won her hard-fought campaign by focusing on the economic destruction COVID-19 wrought on South Carolina’s economy. Mace harnessed her fiscally conservative record in the South Carolina General Assembly, as well as her experience as a small business owner to release a comprehensive and intuitive plan for helping South Carolinians get back on their feet in the aftermath of COVID-19. 

Rep. Mace may have won her district by one percent, but her consistent conservative leadership and dedication to the people of South Carolina are sure to serve her well for many terms to come.

Nicole Malliotakis

In another flipped race, Nicole Malliotakis defeated Democratic incumbent Max Rose in New York 11. Malliotakis positioned herself as an intelligent political veteran with the chops to rein in federal spending, taxes, fight corruption, and drain the swamp. With New York 11 being home to thousands of first responders, Rep. Malliotakis ran a strong pro-police campaign and is committed to fighting for first responders and maintaining police funding. 

With rising crime rates in New York City, Rep. Malliotakis has the know-how, the grit, and the ideas to keep her constituents safe and lead New York towards a brighter future.

Lisa McClain

Lisa McClain replaces retiring Rep. Paul Mitchell of Michigan 10, a Republican stronghold. McClain defeated her rival Democrat Kimberly Bizon by a commanding 33 points, positioning herself as a pragmatic business leader and “political outsider” who can get things done in Washington.

Lisa is a part of a growing base of political outsiders running for office, bringing newfound energy and fresh ideas to the House. We’ll be watching Rep. McClain and are beyond excited to watch her business know-how turn things around in DC.

Mary Miller

In a blowout victory, Rep. Miller replaced retiring Republican Rep. John Shimkus in an open seat election for Illinois 15. Rep. Miller, a devout anti-abortion advocate, farmer, and mom of seven, handily beat Democratic challenger Erika Weaver by more than 50%.

Maria Elvira Salazar

Maria Elvira Salazar flipped Florida 27 from Democrat incumbent Donna Shalala in a shocking upset. Born in Miami’s Little Havana to Cuban refugees, Salazar used her media background as a CNN and Telemundo reporter to deliver a hard-hitting anti-socialist message that resonated firmly with Cuban voters in the district. The upset victory comes in a district that Hillary won by close to 20 points in 2016, and Rep. Shalala won by 6% against Salazar in 2018. 

The Cuban vote will continue to be a foundational block of Republican support in the state of Florida. We have no doubt Rep. Salazar will be a cornerstone of Republican ambitions in the state for many years to come.

Victoria Spartz

Victoria Spartz continued nearly 30 years of Republican dominance in Indiana 5, replacing the four-term retiring Rep. Susan Brooks. Capitalizing on her background as a Ukrainian immigrant, Victoria Spartz positioned herself as strongly anti-socialist and pro limited government.

Rep. Spartz is a fighter, and we love her anti-socialist message.

Michelle Park Steel

Micheel Park Steele flipped California 48 (Newport Beach) after Democrat Harley Rouda unseated longtime Congressman Dana Rohrbacher in 2018. Steel campaigned on a robust anti-taxation message that resonated soundly with her affluent district.

Michelle’s victory in California is proof of a resurging Republican presence in California. Her buttoned-up and pragmatic approach to taxation and spending is a model for Republicans looking to retake affluent districts that have recently tilted left. As a Representative for two of our staff members, we’re excited to watch Rep. Steel lower taxes and make Orange County red again.

Marjorie Taylor Greene

Marjorie Taylor Greene already caused controversy on Monday by first refusing to wear a mask in the House chamber, and then finally putting a mask on with a prominent “Trump Won” message. Greene captured Georgia 14 (a deep-red district in northwest Georgia that feeds into the Chattanooga, Tennessee metro area) with her strong anti-socialist and pro-small business messaging and firm stance on the second amendment. 

If Monday is any indication of the fire to come from Marjorie, you can count us as excited!

Beth Van Duyne

Ben Van Duyne flipped Texas 24, beating Democrat Candace Valenzuela, in an open seat election that Democrats felt confident they could win. Van Duyne’s firmly conservative yet empathetic and powerful story from struggling single mother to Presidential appointee propelled her anti-socialist message to victory.

We love Beth’s energy and focus, and we’re sure she’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

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