Carly Fiorina

Another prominent female Republican with Silicon Valley roots and Washington ambitions is Carly Fiorina, the former chief executive of Hewlett-Packard. She was an economic adviser to John McCain's presidential campaign, spoke at the 2008 Republican National Convention, and now is said to be "seriously considering" a run for Senate.

Fiorina, who is a member of the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum and whose name was tossed around as a speculative vice presidential nominee for McCain, would be running against Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer in 2010.