Results from the August 4th Primaries in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Washington, and Virginia

Toplines

Kansas

• Kansas state Senator Cindy Holscher (D) won the Democratic nomination for governor of Kansas. This open-seat contest is currently rated as “Lean Republican” by Cook Political Report. Incumbent Governor Laura Kelly (D) is term-limited in 2026.
• Two (2D) women won other statewide elective executive office nominations in open-seat contests for insurance commissioner and secretary of state in Kansas.
• Based on primary election results, women are 3 of 8 (37.5%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Kansas, including 3 of 4 (75%) Democrats and 0 of 4 (0%) Republicans. Of the women nominees for U.S. House, only incumbent U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (D) is currently favored to win in November.

Michigan

• Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) won the Democratic nomination for governor of Michigan. This open-seat contest is currently rated as “Lean Democrat” by Cook Political Report. Incumbent Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) is term-limited in 2026. If Benson is successful, Michigan would become the fifth state to have had three or more women governors throughout its history. 
• Incumbent U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D) was unsuccessful in her bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
• Based on primary election results, women are 9 of 26 (34.6%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Michigan, including 6 of 13 (46.2%) Democrats and 3 of 13 (23.1%) Republicans.
  • Of the 5 (4D, 1R) incumbent women nominees, all but one (1D) are strongly favored to win re-election; U.S. Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet (D) is running for re-election in a contest that is currently rated as “Lean Democrat” in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District.
  • Of the 4 (2D, 2R) non-incumbent women nominees, all but one (1D) are running in contests that strongly favor their opponents; Christina Hines (D) is the Democratic nominee in an open-seat contest that is currently rated as “Lean Republican” in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District.

Missouri

• Based on primary election results, women are 3 of 16 (18.8%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Missouri, including 2 of 8 (25%) Democrats and 1 of 8 (12.5%) Republicans. Only U.S. Representative Ann Wagner (R) is currently favored to win in November, which would leave House representation the same from 2026 to 2027.

Virginia

• Based on primary election results, women are 6 of 22 (27.3%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Virginia, including 5 of 11 (45.5%) Democrats and 1 of 11 (9.1%) Republicans. 
  • Incumbent U.S. Representative Jen Kiggans (R) will be challenged by former U.S. Representative Elaine Luria (D) in an all-woman contest in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District that is currently rated as a toss up by Cook Political Report. Kiggans unseated Luria in the 2022 election, where she won the contest by 3.4 points. 
  • The other incumbent U.S. representative, Jennifer McClellan (D), is strongly favored to win re-election in November.
  • Two (2D) of four (4D) women non-incumbent nominees for U.S. House are currently considered competitive in the November election; in addition to former U.S. Representative Luria (D), Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor (D) will challenge incumbent U.S. Representative Robert Wittman (R) in a general election contest in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District that is currently rated as “Lean Republican” by Cook Political Report. 

Washington

• Based on primary election results, women are 10 of 20 (50%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Washington, including 7 of 10 (70.0%) Democrats and 3 of 10 (30.0%) Republicans. 
  • Of the 6 (6D) incumbent women nominees, all but one (1D) are strongly favored to win re-election; U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) is running for re-election in a contest that is currently rated as a toss up in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.
  • One (1R) of four (1D, 3R) non-incumbent women nominees for U.S. House is favored to win in November; Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney (R) advanced to the open-seat general election in Washington’s 4th Congressional District, which is currently rated as “Solid Republican” by Cook Political Report. 
  • There will be two all-woman U.S. House contests in November in Washington’s 1st and 6th Congressional Districts. Learn more about all-woman congressional and gubernatorial races, in 2026 and historically, on this CAWP fact page.

Kansas

U.S. Senate

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 0 of 2 (0%) major-party nominees for U.S. Senate in Kansas. Three (3D) women candidates were unsuccessful.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 0 of 2 (0%) seats in the Kansas delegation to the U.S. Senate. Two (2R) women have served in the U.S. Senate from Kansas.

Women Candidates in 2026: Three (3D) women filed as candidates for U.S. Senate in Kansas in 2026. This is not a record high. They were 3 of 13 (23.1%) total major-party candidates for U.S. Senate in 2026.

U.S. House

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 3 of 8 (37.5%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Kansas, including 3 of 4 (75%) Democrats and 0 of 4 (0%) Republicans. 

The number of women major-party nominees for the U.S. House falls short of the previous high (5), first set in 2020. One (1D) woman House candidate was unsuccessful. Of the 3 (3D) women nominees for U.S. House in Kansas: 1 (1D) is an incumbent, and 2 (2D) are challengers.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 1 of 4 (25%) seats in the Kansas delegation to the U.S. House. Six (4D, 2R) women have served in the U.S. House from Kansas.

Women Candidates in 2026: Four (4D) women filed as candidates for U.S. House seats in Kansas in 2026. This is not a record high. They were 4 of 17 (23.5%) total major-party candidates for U.S. House in 2026. 

Statewide Elective Executive Office

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 3 of 12 (25%) major-party nominees for statewide elective executive office in Kansas, including 3 of 6 (50%) Democrats and 0 of 6 (0%) Republicans. 

The number of women major-party nominees for statewide elective executive office falls short of the previous high (5). Eight (2D, 6R) women statewide executive candidates were unsuccessful. Of the 3 (3D) women nominees for statewide elective executive office in Kansas, all are running for open seats. 

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 2 of 6 (33.3%) statewide elective executive offices in Kansas. Twelve (5D, 7R) women have served in statewide elective executive offices in Kansas. This includes 2 (2D) women who have served in more than one statewide elective executive office. 

• Incumbent Governor Laura Kelly (D) is term-limited and unable to run for re-election in 2026.
• Incumbent Commissioner of Insurance Vicki Schmidt (R) is not running for re-election; instead she ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2026.

Women Candidates in 2026: Eleven (5D, 6R) women filed as candidates for statewide elective executive office in Kansas in 2026. This is a record high. They were 11 of 29 (37.9%) total major-party candidates for statewide elective executive office in 2026.

Michigan

U.S. Senate

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 0 of 2 (0%) major-party nominees already selected for U.S. Senate in Michigan. Incumbent U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D) was unsuccessful in her bid for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 1 of 2 (50%) seats in the Michigan delegation to the U.S. Senate. Two (2D) women have served in the U.S. Senate from Michigan. 

Women Candidates in 2026: Two (2D) women filed as candidates for U.S. Senate in Michigan in 2026. This is not a record high. They were 2 of 4 (50%) total major-party candidates for U.S. Senate in 2026. 

• Mallory McMorrow (D) suspended her campaign for the U.S. Senate on July 5, 2026 but still appeared on the Democratic primary ballot. 

U.S. House

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 9 of 26 (34.6%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Michigan, including 6 of 13 (46.2%) Democrats and 3 of 13 (23.1%) Republicans. 

The number of women major-party nominees for the U.S. House falls short of the previous high (10), first set in 2018. Three (3D) women House candidates were unsuccessful. Of the 9 (6D, 3R) women nominees for U.S. House in Michigan: 5 (4D, 1R) are incumbents, 3 (1D, 2R) are challengers, and 1 (1D) is running for an open seat.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 6 of 13 (46.2%) seats in the Michigan delegation to the U.S. House. Sixteen (13D, 3R) women have served in the U.S. House from Michigan.

• Incumbent U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D) was unsuccessful in her bid for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.

Women Candidates in 2026: Twelve (9D, 3R) women filed as candidates for U.S. House seats in Michigan in 2026. This is not a record high. They were 12 of 50 (24%) total major-party candidates for U.S. House in 2026.

Statewide Elective Executive Office

*The only statewide executive office appearing on ballots in Michigan was governor. Nominees for attorney general and secretary of state were selected at party conventions held earlier this summer. Those nominees are included in total counts for both candidates and nominees below. Nominees for lieutenant governor will be selected to run as part of the gubernatorial ticket after the primary election. 

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 1 of 6 (16.7%) major-party nominees for statewide elective executive office in Michigan. including 1 of 3 (33.3%) Democrats and 0 of 3 (0%) Republicans. 

The number of women major-party nominees for statewide elective executive office falls short of the previous high (5). No women statewide executive candidates were unsuccessful. 

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 3 of 4 (75%) statewide elective executive offices in Michigan. Ten (5D, 5R) women have served in statewide elective executive offices in Michigan, including 1 (1D) woman who served in more than one statewide elective executive office. 

• Incumbent Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) and Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) are term-limited and unable to run for re-election in 2026.
• Incumbent Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) is term-limited and is running for governor this year. 

Women Candidates in 2026: One (1D) woman filed as a candidate for statewide elective executive office in Michigan in 2026. This is not a record high. She was 1 of 10 (10%) total major-party candidates for statewide elective executive office in 2026.

Milestones to Watch in 2026: 

• Four states have had three or more women governors. 

Missouri

U.S. Senate

There are no U.S. Senate elections in Missouri in 2026.

U.S. House

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 3 of 16 (18.8%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Missouri, including 2 of 8 (25%) Democrats and 1 of 8 (12.5%) Republicans. 

The number of women major-party nominees for the U.S. House falls short of the previous high (9), first set in 2020. Seven (5D, 2R) women House candidates were unsuccessful. Of the 3 (2D, 1R) women nominees for U.S. House in Missouri: 1 (1R) is an incumbent and 2 (2D) are challengers.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 1 of 8 (12.5%) seats in the Missouri delegation to the U.S. House. Eight (5D, 3R) women have served in the U.S. House from Missouri.

Women Candidates in 2026: Ten (7D, 3R) women filed as candidates for U.S. House seats in Missouri in 2026. This is not a record high. They were 10 of 53 (18.9%) total major-party candidates for U.S. House in 2026.

Statewide Elective Executive Office

There is only one statewide executive office up for election in Missouri in 2026: state auditor. No women are candidates for state auditor. 

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 1 of 6 (16.7%) statewide elective executive offices in Missouri. Eleven (8D, 3R) women have served in statewide elective executive offices in Missouri. 

• Incumbent Attorney General Catherine Hanaway (R) is not up for election in 2026.

Virginia

U.S. Senate

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 0 of 2 (0%) major-party nominees for U.S. Senate in Virginia. One (1R) woman candidate was unsuccessful.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: No woman has served in the U.S. Senate from Virginia.

Women Candidates in 2026: One (1R) woman filed as a candidate for U.S. Senate in Virginia in 2026. This is not a record high. She was 1 of 4 (25%) total major-party candidates for U.S. Senate in 2026.

U.S. House

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 6 of 22 (27.3%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Virginia, including 5 of 11 (45.5%) Democrats and 1 of 11 (9.1%) Republicans. 

The number of women major-party nominees for the U.S. House falls short of the previous high (8), first set in 2022. Seven (5D, 2R) women House candidates were unsuccessful. Of the 6 (5D, 1R) women nominees for U.S. House in Virginia: 2 (1D, 1R) are incumbents and 4 (4D) are challengers.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 2 of 11 (18.2%) seats in the Virginia delegation to the U.S. House. Nine (5D, 4R) women have served in the U.S. House from Virginia.

Women Candidates in 2026: Thirteen (10D, 3R) women filed as candidates for U.S. House seats in Virginia in 2026. This is not a record high. They were 13 of 45 (28.9%) total major-party candidates for U.S. House in 2026.

Statewide Elective Executive Office

There are no statewide executive elections in Virginia in 2026. 

Washington

U.S. Senate

There are no U.S. Senate elections in Washington in 2026.

U.S. House

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 10 of 20 (50%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Washington, including 7 of 10 (70.0%) Democrats and 3 of 10 (30.0%) Republicans. 

The number of women major-party nominees for the U.S. House currently exceeds the previous high (9), first set in 2018. Five (3D, 2R) women House candidates were unsuccessful. Of the 10 (7D, 3R) women nominees for U.S. House in Washington: 6 (6D) are incumbents, 3 (1D, 2R) are challengers, and 1 (1R) is running for an open seat. 

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 6 of 10 (60%) seats in the Washington delegation to the U.S. House. Fourteen (9D, 5R) women have served in the U.S. House from Washington. 

Women Candidates in 2026: Fifteen (10D, 5R) women filed as candidates for U.S. House seats in Washington in 2026. This is not a record high. They were 15 of 50 (30%) total major-party candidates for U.S. House in 2026.

Statewide Elective Executive Office

There are no statewide executive elections in Washington in 2026.