Pennsylvania holds the distinction of having the largest all-male congressional delegation, but that is likely to change next year following Tuesday’s primaries.

Eight women won their primary races in the Keystone State on Tuesday — seven Democrats and one Republican, who was the lone candidate in the contest. Two female candidates were in races that were too close to call at press time.

Of the women who won, one Democrat is favored to win the general election in November, thanks to her district’s partisan makeup. Three are in competitive races they could win.

Although women are poised to break through the all-male coterie, a number of them attributed the skewed representation to structural problems in the Keystone State and other challenges facing women on the campaign trail.

Boys’ club

For several female candidates, Pennsylvania politics was a boys’ club, perpetuated by county party structures that held power through their endorsements.