Over 50 women have run for U.S. President since 1872, starting with Victoria Woodhull before women could vote. Early trailblazers like Belva Lockwood and Margaret Chase Smith challenged the glass ceiling in major party primaries. Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman to seek a major nomination in 1972. Hillary Clinton made history as the first female major party nominee in 2016, followed by Kamala Harris in 2024—the first Black and South Asian woman nominated. Others like Jill Stein, Nikki Haley, and Elizabeth Warren ran in crowded fields. Women face fundraising gaps, media bias, and patriarchal barriers, yet their campaigns drive equality, inspire voter turnout, and push for gender parity in the White House.
Long Version
How Many Women Have Run for President of the United States?
In the history of United States politics, women have steadily challenged gender barriers to pursue the highest leadership role: commander-in-chief of the nation. As of 2025, over 50 unique women have launched credible presidential runs, encompassing major party nominees, third-party candidates, and participants in primary elections or caucuses. This count reflects documented historic bids, from exploratory committees to full campaigns with ballot access, delegate counts, and party convention appearances. Variations in totals arise depending on definitions—such as including only those on ballots in multiple states or also exploratory campaigns, write-ins, and lesser-known entries—but the narrative underscores a persistent push for equality in democracy, rooted in the women’s suffrage and rights movement. This figure has grown with recent elections, highlighting increased diversity and participation amid ongoing debates about gender roles in leadership.
The Early Trailblazers: From Suffrage to Initial Breakthroughs
The story begins in the 19th century, intertwined with feminism and the fight for equal rights. Victoria Claflin Woodhull made the first known presidential run in 1872 under the Equal Rights Party, even before women’s suffrage granted nationwide voting rights in 1920. Her campaign highlighted gender barriers in a patriarchal system, advocating for women’s equality despite lacking ballot access in most states. Following her, Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood ran in 1884 and 1888 with the same party, securing votes in several states and becoming the first woman to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court, symbolizing early political breakthroughs.
These pioneers faced immense obstacles, including legal restrictions and societal norms that confined women to domestic roles. The women’s rights movement, fueled by intersectionality—considering race, class, and gender—laid the groundwork, but it would be decades before more women entered the fray. Gracie Allen’s 1940 bid with the Surprise Party was largely satirical, yet it drew attention to female nominees in elections. Other early efforts, such as those by Laura Clay in 1920, further emphasized the slow but steady erosion of barriers.
Mid-20th Century Advances: Entering Major Party Arenas
The post-World War II era saw women gaining traction in primary elections. Margaret Chase Smith, a Republican senator, launched a historic bid in 1964, receiving votes in multiple primaries and challenging the glass ceiling in major party politics. Charlene Mitchell ran in 1968 with the Communist Party, becoming the first Black woman to do so.
The 1972 election marked a turning point with intersectionality at the forefront. Shirley Anita Chisholm, the first Black congresswoman, sought the Democratic nomination, winning delegates and emphasizing equal rights for marginalized groups. Patsy Takemoto Mink, an Asian American representative, ran in the Oregon primary as an anti-war candidate. Bella Abzug also explored a Democratic bid that year, while Linda Jenness and Evelyn Reed campaigned with the Socialist Workers Party, highlighting third-party roles in broadening voter choices.
Subsequent years brought more candidates. Ellen McCormack ran in 1976 and 1980, focusing on anti-abortion issues and qualifying for federal matching funds—a key political breakthrough. Margaret Wright represented the People’s Party in 1976, while Deirdre Griswold ran with the Workers World Party in 1980, and Maureen Smith with the Peace and Freedom Party that same year. Sonia Johnson of the Citizens Party in 1984 advocated feminist policies, further eroding gender barriers. Gavrielle Holmes ran with the Workers World Party in 1984, adding to the diverse voices.
Late 20th Century: Building Momentum in Nominations and Campaigns
The 1980s and 1990s saw increased visibility. Patricia S. Schroeder formed an exploratory committee for the 1988 Democratic race but withdrew due to funding challenges. Lenora Fulani, running with the New Alliance Party in 1988 and 1992, became the first Black woman to appear on ballots in all 50 states, addressing intersectionality in electoral politics. Other 1988 candidates included Willa Kenoyer with the Socialist Party and Isabell Masters with the Looking Back Party, who ran multiple times through 2004.
In 1992, Helen Halyard ran with the Socialist Equality Party, and Gloria La Riva with the Workers World Party, a campaign she repeated in later years. The 1996 field was particularly active, with Monica Moorehead of the Workers World Party, Marsha Feinland of the Peace and Freedom Party, Mary Cal Hollis of the Socialist Party, Heather Anne Harder and Elvena Lloyd-Duffie in Democratic primaries, and several others like Georgina H. Doerschuck, Susan Gail Ducey, Ann Jennings, Mary Frances Le Tulle, and Diane Beall Templin pursuing various affiliations. Millie Howard also ran multiple times from 1992 to 2008. Elizabeth Hanford Dole’s 2000 Republican exploratory committee marked her as a serious contender, withdrawing before primaries but elevating women’s leadership profiles. Cathy Gordon Brown ran as an independent that year.
The 21st Century: Major Party Nominees and Diverse Fields
The new millennium accelerated progress. Carol Moseley Braun, the first Black female senator, ran in the 2004 Democratic primaries, followed by Cynthia McKinney’s 2008 Green Party nomination. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2008 Democratic bid amassed millions of votes and delegates, setting the stage for her 2016 nomination as the first female nominee of a major party. She won the popular vote but lost in the electoral college, underscoring ongoing challenges in voter turnout and party conventions.
Michele Bachmann’s 2012 Republican campaign won the Ames straw poll, while Roseanne Barr represented the Peace and Freedom Party that year, and Peta Lindsay the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Jill Stein’s Green Party runs in 2012, 2016, and 2024 consistently drew attention to environmental and equality issues. Carly Fiorina’s 2016 Republican primary run highlighted business leadership in politics, with additional candidates like Alyson Kennedy of the Socialist Workers Party, Monica Moorehead again, Lynn S. Kahn as an independent, and Khadijah Jacob-Fambro with the Revolutionary Party.
The 2020 Democratic primaries featured a record field: Tulsi Gabbard, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Marianne Williamson, and Amy Klobuchar, each bringing diverse perspectives on feminism and policy. Jo Jorgensen’s 2020 Libertarian nomination expanded third-party options, while Faith Spotted Eagle received an electoral vote in 2016 as a protest.
The 2024 election intensified focus on gender, with a mix of major and minor party bids. Nikki Haley’s Republican primary campaign won contests, marking her as a trailblazer before suspending in March. Marianne Williamson ran in the Democratic primaries, suspending and unsuspending before ending in July. Terrisa Bukovinac pursued a Democratic bid focused on anti-abortion progressive policies. Rachel Swift appeared in Republican primaries in select states. Kamala Harris secured the Democratic nomination after President Biden’s withdrawal, becoming the first Black and South Asian female nominee. She garnered 75 million popular votes and 226 electoral votes but lost to Donald Trump, reflecting persistent hurdles. Third-party efforts included Jill Stein’s Green Party campaign and Claudia De la Cruz with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, adding to the diverse slate.
Barriers and Challenges: Navigating a Patriarchal System
Women candidates confront systemic obstacles, from fundraising disparities to media scrutiny on gender roles. The glass ceiling persists, with only two major party female nominees despite numerous historic bids. Intersectionality amplifies challenges for women of color, as seen in Chisholm’s, Harris’s, and De la Cruz’s campaigns. Limited ballot access for third-party candidates and low delegate counts in primaries often hinder progress, while voter turnout influenced by biases affects outcomes. These issues are compounded by a patriarchal system that questions women’s fitness for the Oval Office, yet each run chips away at such norms.
Impact on Democracy and Future Prospects
These presidential runs have advanced the women’s rights movement, inspiring higher female participation in elections and leadership. From the Oval Office aspirations of early feminists to modern caucus victories, they foster political breakthroughs and greater equality. As the United States evolves, future campaigns may see more diverse nominees, potentially electing the first woman president and solidifying gender parity in the White House. The growing number of candidates signals a shift toward inclusive democracy, where women’s voices in politics continue to drive change and challenge longstanding inequalities.
