There are a large number of women running for seats in the Pennsylvania House and Senate this year.
128 women are running for State House seats and 21 for seats in the Senate.
Political strategist and National Organization for Women member Melissa Robbins believes Pennsylvania can only go up from here in terms of its ranks of female lawmakers.
“Pennsylvania ranks 49th in the nation in terms of women in office,” Robbins said. “That’s shameful.”
Robbins says women who have second-guessed their ability to serve in public office need a new attitude. She adds that women bring a unique perspective to policy-making compared to their male counterparts.
Women currently make up about 18 percent of the state legislature.
Locally, Susan Boser is running against two men for the democratic nomination to be the state representative of the 15th District, which includes a portion of Butler County.
Beth Tarasi is running against two men for the democratic nomination to be state representative of the 17th District, which includes a portion of Butler County.
Lisa Boeving-Learned is running unopposed for a seat in the PA General Assembly for the 8th Legislative District.