If you’re looking for a quick headcount of the U.S. Senate’s most powerful women right now, the number is 26.
That is out of 100 total seats. It’s a record high, honestly, but it’s still nowhere near parity. If you’re like most people, you probably expected that number to be higher given how much we talk about "the year of the woman" every few election cycles.
Currently, 26% of the Senate is female.
It’s an interesting mix. We’ve got veteran lawmakers who have been there since the early 90s and a fresh crop of newcomers who just walked through the doors in January 2025. This group is essentially responsible for half of the upper chamber's legislative momentum, even if they don't have half the seats yet.
The Breakdown: How Many Female Senators Are There Currently?
To really understand the landscape, you have to look at the partisan split. It’s not an even 50/50 down the middle between the parties.
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- Democrats: 16 women
- Republicans: 10 women
This breakdown tells a story of two different recruitment strategies. The Democratic side has seen a steady, decades-long climb. The Republican side, meanwhile, has started to pick up the pace more recently with "firsts" in states that historically leaned toward male-dominated delegations.
Think about Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Blunt Rochester. They made history in 2025 as the first time two Black women served in the Senate simultaneously. That was a massive shift. Before them, the Senate had only ever seen three Black women in its entire history: Carol Moseley Braun, Kamala Harris, and Laphonza Butler.
Who are these 26 women?
They aren't just statistics; they’re the people running committees and deciding where your tax dollars go. Here is a look at the roster as it stands in early 2026:
The Democratic Contingent:
Patty Murray (WA), Maria Cantwell (WA), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Mazie Hirono (HI), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), Maggie Hassan (NH), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Tina Smith (MN), Jacky Rosen (NV), Elissa Slotkin (MI), Angela Alsobrooks (MD), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE).
The Republican Contingent:
Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Deb Fischer (NE), Joni Ernst (IA), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), Marsha Blackburn (TN), Cynthia Lummis (WY), Katie Britt (AL), and Ashley Moody (FL).
You've probably noticed some big names missing if you haven't checked the news lately. Debbie Stabenow retired. Kyrsten Sinema is gone. Diane Feinstein’s seat was filled. The "Old Guard" is slowly handing over the keys to a new generation of leaders who have very different priorities—ranging from AI regulation to maritime tech.
Why the Number Might Shrink (or Grow) Soon
We are staring down the barrel of the 2026 midterms.
Politics is a game of musical chairs. Right now, several of these 26 women are at a crossroads. For instance, Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Tina Smith (MN) have already signaled they aren't running for re-election. Joni Ernst (IA) and Cynthia Lummis (WY) are also on the list of those stepping back from the Senate.
Retirements are the biggest threat to the current record.
When a woman retires, there is no guarantee a woman will replace her. In Michigan, Elissa Slotkin just won her seat, so that’s secure for a while. But in states like Iowa or New Hampshire? The primaries are going to be a bloodbath.
The Power Centers You Should Watch
It isn't just about the "how many" question. It's about "where."
Take Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. They are often the most watched people in Washington. Why? Because in a Senate with a slim 53-45 Republican majority (plus two independents), they hold the swing votes. They’ve basically built a career out of being the "deciders."
Then you have the newcomers like Ashley Moody. She moved from being Florida’s Attorney General to the Senate floor, bringing a heavy focus on law enforcement and judicial appointments. She represents a shift toward more conservative, "tough-on-crime" female leadership that is becoming a staple of the GOP’s recruitment.
The Reality of the "All-Time High"
While 26 is a record, the U.S. still ranks surprisingly low globally when it comes to female representation in a national legislature.
Basically, we are at about 26%. Compare that to countries like Mexico or several Scandinavian nations where they’ve hit 50% or more.
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Part of the reason is the "incumbency advantage." Once someone gets into the Senate, they tend to stay there for 20 or 30 years. Since the Senate was 100% male for most of its history, it takes a long time for those seats to open up naturally. You've essentially got a backlog of history that we're only now starting to clear out.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Cycle
If you care about how many female senators are there currently and want to see that number move, here is what actually matters in the next 12 months:
- Watch the Open Seats: Keep an eye on the primaries in New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Iowa. These are the "danger zones" where the current number of 26 could easily drop if women aren't nominated to replace the retiring incumbents.
- Follow the Fundraising: Data from groups like Emily’s List (for Democrats) and Winning For Women (for Republicans) usually predicts who will actually make it to the general election. Money isn't everything, but in a Senate race, it's close.
- The "Pink" Flip Potential: Look at states like North Carolina or Ohio. These are traditionally male-held seats where strong female challengers are gaining traction. These are the only places where the total number can actually increase beyond 26.
The 119th Congress has been a landmark for representation, but it's a fragile record. By this time next year, the "currently" in "how many female senators are there currently" could look very different.