More women than ever will take seats in Congress when the 120th Congress opens in January. At least 159 women from both parties are headed to the House and Senate, seven more than serve today, according to a tally of projected winners by a university research center that tracks women in politics.

That would put women at roughly 30% of the 535 seats. It is a new high but still about 100 seats short of an even split.

A House story

Nearly all of the growth is in the House, where at least 136 women will serve, also a record. The Senate is moving the other way and will have fewer women next year no matter how the uncalled races in Alaska and Mississippi end. Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn is also expected to step down after winning her state's governorship.

The gains are almost entirely on the Democratic side. At least 116 Democratic women are headed to the House compared with 19 Republican women. A leader of one group that recruits Republican women called it a crisis level drop and urged the party to start finding candidates for 2028 right away.

Firsts in the freshman class

The incoming class includes the first Native American woman elected to the Senate, the first Black woman to represent Colorado in the House and the first Hispanic member of Congress from Nebraska. At least 12 women veterans will serve, the most ever, among them Navy helicopter pilot turned Rep.-elect Rebecca Bennett of New Jersey along with Cait Conley of New York and JoAnna Mendoza of Arizona.

Women also gained ground in the states. At least 17 women will serve as governors, a record, including Keisha Lance Bottoms of Georgia, the first Black woman ever elected governor of any state.

Why it matters

Researchers who study Congress say women in office tend to raise issues others miss, from medical research on women to the cost of raising a family. They also often work to bring more diverse voices into the room. Several winners this year ran on grocery bills and child care. Historically, women candidates do well when Democrats have a strong year. This year Democrats flipped seats deep in Republican territory.