Candidates and scholars ride the "Pink Wave" in DeKalb

A very important voting block in the midterm elections are women. But not only are women expected to vote in record numbers, they're also running in record numbers.

On Tuesday, several female candidates joined a few NIU educators for a "Pink Wave" discussion at Cole Hall. In the event, presented by the center for the study of women gender and sexuality, the candidates discussed their personal experiences as women running for office. Meantime the scholars helped put this "pink wave" moment in context.

"I think it's critically important that we talk about how many women are running for office this year at every level, from county board to congress," said 16th District Congressional Candidate Sara Dady. "You know women make up over 50 percent of not only our nation's population, but this congressional district. And yet, we represent less than 20 percent in congress."

Other women running for office in Illinois for the first time include Democrats Juliana Stratton for Lieutenant Governor and Lauren Underwood for Congress; as well as Republican Candidates for Attorney General Erika Harold and Comptroller Darlene Senger.