More Women Running For Governor Across The Country

A record number of women are vying to win gubernatorial races in states across the country. Nine women currently serve as governors, and more than two dozen are looking to break that record.

From Massachusetts and Oregon to Georgia and New York, it's a banner year for women in politics.

25 women are major party nominees in races for governor -- a record for both Democrats and Republicans.

"We're not used to seeing women in those executive roles," Christina Reynolds, a spokeswoman for Emily's List, a Democratic-leaning political action committee, said. "So voters have to break out of any sort of subconscious barriers they may have."

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19 states have never had a female governor. While 70 women have been major party nominees since 2006, compare that to the 350 men who've had their name on the ballot.

"More and more women can run. More and more women can win," Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the former Lt. Governor for Maryland, said. Townsend had her own bid for the state's top job but lost in 2002.

She says national issues including the U.S. Supreme Court decision on abortion rights could motivate more potential candidates.

A record number of women are also facing off against each other in governors' races. In five states, both of the major party nominees are women including Michigan and Arizona.

"I think that in the last few years we've seen women get more involved in politics because of the impact on their families," Tina Ramirez, a spokeswoman for the Republican-leaning political action committee Maggie's List, said. "They want to have a say in their child's education - in making sure that their children are provided for, that they have an economic future."

Advocates are pushing to give more women a fair shot.

"We still have these women who are breaking barriers where they are going somewhere that no woman like them has ever been. We love the first. We should celebrate the first. We're ready for the 38th. Right? Or we're ready for the 29th, or however many where we stop counting," Reynolds added.

In all, 13 women could be voted to represent their states this November...which would break the record. Throughout history only 45 women have ever served as governor.