Women still swimming against tide in politics

Things are looking up for women in politics this year, according to the Rutgers-based Center for Women and American Politics. Record numbers of women won nominations for U.S. Senate seats and record numbers are running for seats in state legislatures.
But there are still miles to travel, particularly in New Jersey. Its 15-member congressional delegation is all-male. In the 13 congressional races this fall, only four women are on the ballot as major-party candidates, and only one has a legitimate shot at winning - Linda Stender in the 7th District.
In New Jersey's 120-member Legislature, only 23 are women, or 19.2 percent. That ranks 31st nationally. Of the 137 county freeholders, just 27.7 percent are women, and only 14.8 percent of the mayors in New Jersey are women.
The best showing for women in New Jersey is in Gov. Corzine's 21-member cabinet, where eight, or 38.1 percent, are women.
State breakdowns of women candidates for federal and state offices can be found at: http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/Facts3.html