The GOP’s commitment to electing talented women can help party retake the House

As the 2020 campaign season starts up, a narrative that many in the media like to discuss is a supposed problem within the Republican party with electing women. As the only new female Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, in my experience, that couldn’t be further from the truth. During my campaign, I received support from many people. I met terrific, dynamic Republican women around the country who shared my goals – to make our country a better place to live, work, and raise a family, now and for generations to come.

The one story that has not been written, is that so many talented Republican female candidates faced unprecedented opposition in order to keep us out of Congress. The hundreds of millions of dollars spent to increase the barriers for Republican women to serve their country in the U.S. House of Representatives was very calculated and effective. It was disappointing and destructive. As liberal groups replenish their coffers to once again target Republican women, the media continues to attack and undermine those working hardest and making a real difference to elect Republican women – groups like Winning for Women. Despite the constant negativity, we remain optimistic and undeterred.

{mosads}From the White House, to the Republican National Committee, to the National Republican Congressional Committee, strong women are leading the charge to recruit and elect amazing female candidates throughout our nation. Additionally, groups dedicated to electing conservative women like Winning for Women, Susan B. Anthony List, VIEW PAC, and Maggie’s List are on the frontlines supporting candidates early and often. Together, the Republican Party and conservative groups are rallying around women like never before. My female colleagues are also undertaking tremendous efforts to help bring more women into the House as well – Rep. Susan Brooks (R-Ind.) is serving as Recruitment Chair to help find strong, talented conservative women to run, and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) has started E-PAC to support female candidates in primaries. As prospective candidates reach out to me to ask for my advice and experience, I am able to provide my perspective, just as my more senior female colleagues like Reps. Liz Cheney (Wyo.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), Virginia Foxx (N.C.), and so many others opened up to me during my campaign.

The question to ask is not “do Republicans have a women problem” but rather, “why are Republican women receiving such strong opposition,” maybe even stronger opposition than our male colleagues. If experience shows anything, it will be that as we continue onward in the 2020 election cycle, Republican women will need strong support, and groups like Winning for Women will be even more influential, to combat the liberal opposition to female conservatives in office.

The Republican Party has a strong, undaunted commitment to electing dynamic women so that we can continue on our path of opportunity and economic prosperity for all. We will continue to fight back against the forces hell-bent on weakening Republican female voices. The path forward for America will be led by Republicans – men and women alike – who are focused on growing the economy, creating jobs, protecting life, and making the U.S. safer, freer and more secure. I know that as long as we stay true to ourselves and our beliefs, we can stand up to the liberal special interests, elect great conservative candidates, and retake the House in 2020.

Miller represents West Virginia’s 3rd District.