18 women candidates to watch for the 2018 midterms

11. Kyrsten Sinema (D)

State: Arizona
Race: Senate
Platform highlights: Sinema has made much of her “bootstraps” rise from her working class Florida childhood to a serious political challenger today. While she was still young, Sinema’s family experienced significant economic setbacks, such that they eventually had to move to a repurposed gas station turned home. The former service station had no electricity or running water.

Unlike numerous Republicans with similar stories, Sinema has put a particularly Democratic spin on her story. She acknowledges that hard work and the often mentioned maxim to “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” were big parts of her success story. However, she also emphasizes the need for American citizens to get help from their government when they most need it — that is, that Americans should not feel as if they are alone and without support from their politicians and government.

Sinema’s platform includes other centrist stances, honed during her current position as a representative for Arizona’s 9th congressional district. On her campaign website, she speaks of fixing a “dysfunctional” Washington, D.C., with a special focus on financial loopholes in use by some lawmakers and funders. She also supports affordable healthcare and support for senior citizens, while also supporting military action against terrorist groups

Why you should watch out for her: Like quite a few other women on this list, if elected, Sinema would break multiple barriers. She would be the first woman to represent Arizona in the Senate, for one. Sinema would also be the first openly bisexual senator in history, joining the small but growing ranks of openly LGBTQ lawmakers. She is also currently the openly athiest/non-theist member of Congress.

Sinema is running for the open seat of Senator Jeff Flake, who is retiring. Her Republican opponent, Martha McSally, is also a woman. That means that, no matter who wins, Arizona will be represented for the first time by a female senator.

Campaign website: www.kyrstensinema.com