147 lawmakers in 44 states accused of sexual harassment or misconduct since 2017

Since 2017 , The Associated Press has cataloged at least 147 state lawmakers across 44 states who have been accused of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct.

In 2024 alone, the AP tallied at least 14 state lawmakers from a dozen states who were accused — about twice as many as the previous year .

The National Women’s Defense League says Republicans and Democrats are nearly equally accused.

The number of female state lawmakers saw the greatest rise in 2018 since the 1990s .

Women now occupy 33% of all legislative seats nationwide, although representation by state varies.

Only about one-quarter of legislative chambers require external investigations when such complaints are made, according to AP ’s survey.

Advocates and lawmakers alike hope that improvements continue, saying hostile work environments remain pervasive enough to keep women from running for office.

Many question the overall progress of # MeToo , pointing to sexual misconduct allegations against several of President Trump ’s cabinet nominees and the president himself.

“It sends a message of normalization about this kind of behavior,” says Debbie Walsh , director of the Center for American Women and Politics .