"There's an understanding now that Republican women candidates can be very successful in the general election and in many cases are stronger candidates than men," said Cam Savage, a veteran Republican consultant. "It's been true for a while; it just hasn't been recognized."

"It's a moment for us to step up and be more out in front. ... There's a lot of great women consultants out there who are doing great work. We just happen to believe there needs to be more of them."

About 25 Republican women are either already running or have been mentioned as serious candidates in open seats or as challengers to Democratic incumbents in 2020, according to numbers compiled by the Center for American Women and Politics. That’s up from about 14 at a similar point in 2017.

Women make up a fifth of Congress. Strategists from both parties would like to see that percentage increase in the 2018 midterms, but that’s no guarantee. Eleven women have announced they’re leaving the House at the end of this term, including two Democrats and one Republican who are running for Senate. Arizona Rep. Martha McSally could make it a second Republican if she jumps into the open Arizona Senate race. Three female Democrats are among the top 10 most vulnerable senators.

“We have to do better recruiting women,” Chamberlain said, before stopping herself. “That’s not true. We do recruit them — the men are more than willing to fund them — we just have to convince them they can run, and it’s been a little bit difficult through the years.”