DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With six women running in House and Senate primaries in Iowa this year, some are starting to wonder if 2014 might be the year that the state finally sends a woman to Washington. Women’s groups have long bemoaned the fact that Iowa is one of just two states — the other being Mississippi — that has never elected a woman governor or member of Congress.

Just why Iowa lags in electing women remains unclear. One likely factor is the state’s limited number of seats and low turnover in those jobs. But this year is different, with an open Senate seat and two open House seats. Some more high profile candidates opted out of these races last year, but a diverse group of women are now seeking the seats.