WOMEN PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

A Selected List

Many women have sought to become President of the United States. A number received national attention, either as pioneers in the electoral process, as potential candidates, or as candidates of minor parties with a significant national presence. Others were from minor parties or were fringe candidates who entered major party primaries. Click on image to learn more.

Presidential Candidates

woodhull
Victoria Claflin Woodhull (1872)
Lockwood
Belva Ann Bennett
Lockwood
(1884, 1888)
smith
Margaret Chase Smith (1964)
Chisholm
Shirley Anita Chisholm (1972)
Mink
Patsy Takemoto Mink (1972)
McCormack
Ellen McCormack (1976, 1980)
Johnson
Sonia Johnson (1984)
Schroeder
Patricia S. Schroeder (1988)
Fulani
Lenora Fulani (1988, 1992)
Dole
Elizabeth Hanford Dole (2000)
Braun
Carol Moseley Braun (2004)
Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton (2008)
Bachmann
Michele Bachmann (2012)
Stein
Jill Stein (2012)

Carly Fiorina (2016)

Hillary Clinton (2016)

Vice Presidential Candidates

Two women have been nominated to run for the office of Vice President: Sarah Palin by the Republican party in 2008 and Geraldine Ferraro by the Democratic party in 1984. Another, Frances “Sissy” Farenthold, had her name put into nomination for Vice President at the Democratic National Convention in 1972. In addition, Toni Nathan, the 1972 Libertarian candidate for Vice President, became the first woman to win an electoral vote when one Republican elector voted for her instead of for his party’s candidate. Click on image to learn more.

Farenthold
Frances “Sissy”
Farenthold (1972)
Nathan
Toni Nathan (1972)
Ferraro
Geraldine Anne
Ferraro (1984)
LaDuke
Winona LaDuke (1996, 2000)

Sarah Palin (2008)

This list includes all candidates known to CAWP who meet any of the following criteria: achieved major historic firsts; were named in national polls; achieved prominence by holding significant elected or appointed office; appeared on the general election ballot in a majority of states; and/or became eligible for federal matching funds. We welcome additional information sent to the address below to supplement our records.

For a list with additional information about other candidates, see: http://www.jofreeman.com/politics/womprez03.htm

Sources: JoFreeman.com; National Constitution Center; Federal Election Commission; Women as Politicians, “Congressional Biographies,” University of Maryland; “Not One of the Boys” a discussion guide, written by Katherine E. Kleeman, Center for American Women and Politics.

Reproduction of this entire document or any part of it for non-commercial purposes is encouraged, provided credit is given to Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University. Any information reproduced must include footnotes/ endnotes which apply to that information. Commercial reproduction requires prior permission in writing from Center for American Women and Politics.