Not just Congress: Democrats’ blue wave washes over state legislatures across US
Democrats gain hundreds of seats in historic victories – and party set to embark on aggressive legislative spree The blue wave that swept Republicans out of power across the United States didn’t just strike Congress. In Tuesday’s midterm elections, Democrats gained hundreds of seats in state legislatures across the country, under-the-radar victories that may have major implications for life in America. Though…
Key points
- Democrats gained 258 state legislative seats, six new trifectas and 11 chambers, according to Chaz Nuttycombe.
- Democrats will control the Texas state house for the first time since 2002.
- About 76% of the US population is projected to live under a Democratic governor.
Democrats gained hundreds of seats in state legislatures across the US in Tuesday's midterm elections, alongside their wins in Congress. According to Chaz Nuttycombe of the nonprofit State Navigate, the party gained 258 state legislative seats nationwide, created six new governing trifectas, took 11 legislative chambers from Republicans and broke Republican supermajorities in 10 states.
The article reports that Democrats have not held full control of government in Arizona for 60 years, in Pennsylvania since the 1990s, or in Wisconsin since 2010. They regained trifectas in Michigan and Minnesota and will control the Texas state house for the first time since 2002. Democrats also won governorships in Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio and Texas.
Why the victories matter
State legislatures have taken on greater importance as Congress has been mired in partisan gridlock, the article says. Where Democrats rule, they have passed laws raising the minimum wage, preserving abortion access, fighting the climate crisis and regulating immigration enforcement.
Nuttycombe predicted that about 76% of the country's population will live under a Democratic governor and about half will be represented by a Democratic lawmaker in their legislature. He attributed most of the wave to the economy and dissatisfaction with the president.
This was the most significant night for state legislative power since the seismic Republican wave in 2010
— Mandara Meyers
Redistricting and other priorities
Greta Neubauer, set to lead Wisconsin's state assembly after Democrats won a 53-seat majority, said on a call with reporters that the party will consider congressional redistricting. She said Wisconsin has "gerrymandered maps" that favor Republicans, and that the party will also consider expanding Medicaid and access to free school meals.
In North Carolina, Democrats won a majority in the legislature's lower chamber and closed the gap in the Republican-controlled state senate, ending Republican supermajorities. Tiffany Reynolds-Richardson of Lillian's List said Republicans "are gonna have to play ball now" with Democrats.
