While Democrats will still hold the majority of women in Congress, Republican women gained ground.  Four Democratic freshman will join the U.S. House of Representatives and eight new Republican women will be sworn into office in January.  Nine Democratic House females lost their races which brings the total number of women in the House to 70 out of 435 members.

Historic Gains
Among the new female members elected to the U.S. House, five are women of color including the first African American woman from Alabama, Democrat Terri Sewell. Hawaii elected women to both of its U.S. House seats making it the first state to have an all-woman delegation (except for states with only one district).

Staggering Loses
Nine Democratic women lost their seats in Congress.  Depending on the outcome of races still too close to call, the number of women in the House could drop from 73 to 70. Those losing on Tuesday were Martha Roby (R-AL); Terri Sewell (D-AL); Karen Bass (D-CA); Sandy Adams (R-FL); Frederica Wilson (D-FL); Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI); Vicky Hartzler (R-MO); Nan Hayworth (R-NY); Renee Elmers (R-NC); Kristi Noem (R-SD); Diane Black (R-TN); Jaime Herrera (R-WA).

Republican Gains
Eight new Republican women will begin their terms in January.  They are Sandra Adams – Florida, Diane Black – Tennessee, Renee Ellmers – North Carolina, Vicky Hartzler – Missouri, Nan Hayworth – New York, Jaime Herrera – Washington, Martha Roby – Alabama, Kristi Noem – South Dakota.

Senate Result Still Up in the Air
The fate of two women incumbent Senators is still up in the air.  Democrat Patty Murray from Washington is too close to call and write-in candidate, Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski will not know her fate for several days. One new female senator won her election, Kelly Ayotte, Republican from New Hampshire. Blanche Lincoln, Democrat from Arkansas lost her seat. Depending on the outcome of the two Senate seats, it is likely there will be 17 women in the Senate, the same as 2010.

Thanks to the Center for American Women and Politics for providing statistics for this article.