State legislatures Annual Competitiveness Report Battleground chambers Open seats • Incumbents defeated Close races • Margins of victory • Flipped seats Supermajorities and gubernatorial conflict Effect of the 2020 elections on redistricting Pivot Counties by state legislative district
Statewide analysis State government trifectas Trifecta vulnerability Officials seeking other offices Incumbent win rates Noteworthy third party candidates
Other 2020 analysis Federal election analysis Local election analysis
Last updated: December 9, 2020
Eighty-six state legislative chambers held regularly-scheduled elections in 2020. Ballotpedia identified 24 of those chambers as state legislative battlegrounds. Heading into the 2020 elections, Republicans controlled 15 battleground chambers and Democrats controlled eight. Control of the Alaska House of Representatives was split under a power-sharing agreement, although Republicans had a 21-15 majority.
In 2018, 87 state legislative chambers held regularly-scheduled elections. Ballotpedia identified 22 of those chambers as battlegrounds. Democrats gained control of six Republican-held battleground chambers (the Colorado State Senate, Maine State Senate, Minnesota House of Representatives, New Hampshire State Senate, New Hampshire House of Representatives, and New York State Senate). Republicans entered into a power-sharing agreement in the Alaska House of Representatives, which had previously been under control of the Democratic minority.
Ballotpedia identified the following state legislative chambers as 2020 battlegrounds:
Alaska House of Representatives Arizona State Senate Arizona House of Representatives Colorado State Senate Delaware State Senate Florida State Senate Georgia State Senate Georgia House of Representatives Iowa House of Representatives Maine State Senate Maine House of Representatives Michigan House of Representatives Minnesota State Senate Minnesota House of Representatives Nebraska State Senate Nevada State Senate New Hampshire State Senate New Hampshire House of Representatives North Carolina State Senate North Carolina House of Representatives Pennsylvania State Senate Pennsylvania House of Representatives Texas House of Representatives West Virginia State Senate
Contents
1Overview
2State-by-state breakdown
2.1Why were these chambers highlighted?
2.2Alaska House
2.2.1Historical party control
2.3Before 1992
2.4Arizona Senate
2.4.1Historical party control
2.5Before 1992
2.6Arizona House
2.6.1Historical party control
2.7Before 1992
2.8Colorado Senate
2.8.1Historical party control
2.9Before 1992
2.10Delaware Senate
2.10.1Historical party control
2.11Before 1992
2.12Florida Senate
2.12.1Historical party control
2.13Before 1992
2.14Georgia Senate
2.14.1Historical party control
2.15Before 1992
2.16Georgia House
2.16.1Historical party control
2.17Before 1992
2.18Iowa House
2.18.1Historical party control
2.19Before 1992
2.20Maine Senate
2.20.1Historical party control
2.21Maine House
2.21.1Historical partisan control
2.22Michigan House
2.22.1Historical party control
2.23Minnesota Senate
2.23.1Historical party control
2.24Minnesota House
2.24.1Historical party control
2.25Nebraska Senate
2.25.1Historical party control
2.26Nevada Senate
2.26.1Historical party control
2.27New Hampshire Senate
2.27.1Historical party control
2.28New Hampshire House
2.28.1Historical party control
2.29North Carolina Senate
2.29.1Historical party control
2.30North Carolina House
2.30.1Historical party control
2.31Pennsylvania Senate
2.31.1Historical party control
2.32Pennsylvania House
2.32.1Historical party control
2.33Texas House
2.33.1Historical party control
2.34West Virginia Senate
2.34.1Historical party control
3Political context
3.1Changes in chamber partisan control, 2010 to 2019
3.2State legislatures and presidents
3.2.1First midterms
3.2.2Two-term presidents
3.3Trifectas from 2010 to 2019
4Current state government trifectas
5State government trifectas, post-2022 elections
6State government trifectas, pre-2022 elections
7State government trifectas, post-2020 elections
8State government trifectas, pre-2020 elections
9State government trifectas, post-2018 elections
10State government trifectas, pre-2018 elections
11State government trifectas, post-2016 elections
12State government trifectas, pre-2016 elections
13State government trifectas, pre-2014
14State government trifectas, pre-2012
15State government trifectas, pre-2010
15.1See also
15.2Footnotes
Overview[edit]
Of the 86 chambers that held regularly-scheduled elections in 2020, Ballotpedia identified 24 battleground chambers in 17 states. We anticipated that these chambers would be more competitive overall and had the potential to see major shifts in party control. Four of those chambers (the Arizona House of Representatives, Georgia State Senate, Georgia House of Representatives, and Nebraska State Senate) were not battleground chambers at any point in the preceding decade.
The columns in the chart below list the following:
Seats up in 2020: This was the number of seats that were up for election in 2020.
Margin: This was the difference in seats between the majority and minority parties.
Majority share of seats: This was the percentage of the chamber's seats controlled by the majority party.
Last time party control changed: This was the election where the majority at the time of the 2020 elections took control of the chamber.
State legislative battleground chambers, 2020
Chamber
Seats up in 2020
Margin
Majority share of seats
Last time party control changed
Alaska House of Representatives*
All 40
R+7
55%
2018
Arizona State Senate
All 30
R+4
57%
2002
Arizona House of Representatives
All 60
R+2
52%
1966
Colorado State Senate
18 out of 35
D+3
54%
2018
Delaware State Senate
11 out of 21
D+3
57%
1974
Florida State Senate
20 out of 40
R+6
58%
1994
Georgia State Senate
All 56
R+14
63%
2002
Georgia House of Representatives
All 180
R+31
58%
2004
Iowa House of Representatives
All 100
R+6
53%
2016
Maine State Senate
All 35
D+7
60%
2018
Maine House of Representatives
All 151
D+31
58%
2012
Michigan House of Representatives
All 110
R+7
53%
2010
Minnesota State Senate
All 67
R+3
52%
2016
Minnesota House of Representatives
All 134
D+16
56%
2018
Nebraska State Senate
25 out of 49
R+12
61%
--[1]
Nevada State Senate
10 out of 21
D+5
62%
2016
New Hampshire State Senate
All 24
D+4
58%
2018
New Hampshire House of Representatives
All 400
D+75
58%
2018
North Carolina State Senate
All 50
R+8
58%
2010
North Carolina House of Representatives
All 120
R+10
54%
2010
Pennsylvania State Senate
25 out of 50
R+7
56%
1994
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
All 203
R+17
54%
2010
Texas House of Representatives
All 150
R+16
55%
2002
West Virginia State Senate
17 out of 34
R+6
59%
2014
*The Alaska House was under a power sharing agreement, although Republicans held more seats.
State-by-state breakdown[edit]
This section gives an overview of each of the 23 battleground chambers in 2020 and explains what criteria each chamber met to make our list.
Why were these chambers highlighted?[edit]
Ballotpedia’s approach to determining what is and is not a battleground chamber relied on a series of criteria, with exceptions made in specific outlying cases. Ballotpedia scored the competitiveness of each state legislative chamber holding elections in 2020, with each of the following criteria being worth 1 point:
Three or fewer seats needed to flip to change control of the chamber.
15% or less of the seats up for election in 2020 needed to flip to change control of the chamber.
15% or more of the seats up for election in 2020 were decided by a margin of 10% or less the last time they were up for election.
10% or more of the seats up for election in 2020 changed partisan control the last time they were up for election.
The number of seats up for election in 2020 that changed partisan control the last time they were up was greater than the number of seats that needed to flip to change control of the chamber.
The chamber was a battleground chamber in 2018.
A battleground gubernatorial election took place in the same state in 2020.
The chamber flipped two or more times between 2010 and 2020.
These criteria were combined with the Cook Political Report's state legislative race ratings.[2]
Click [show] to view which criteria each chamber met
Alaska House[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Alaska House.
See also: Alaska House of Representatives elections, 2020
Partisan control
Although Republicans won a 23-16 majority with one independent in the 2018 elections, a coalition of 15 Democrats, four Republicans, and two independents elected Bryce Edgmon (I) as House speaker on February 14, 2019. The parties split control of key leadership positions and committees. Edgmon was elected speaker after leaving the Democratic Party. In an interview with the Anchorage Daily News which explored the formation of the coalition, Edgmon said, "It’s not issues that are separating us. At this point, I think it’s more party politics."[3]Read more here.
What was at stake?
Republicans needed to gain two seats to win a majority, either by defeating Democratic or independent legislators in the general election or by defeating Republican members of the majority coalition in the primary election.
If Republicans had flipped the chamber while retaining control of the state Senate, they would have gained a state government trifecta. If Democrats maintained the split coalition or gained a majority, they will have preserved the state's divided government status.
Why was it a battleground?
Power-sharing agreement: The power-sharing agreement agreed to following the 2018 elections involved a coalition of all 15 Democrats, both independents, and four of the 23 Republicans, who together comprised a 21-19 majority. The defeat of two coalition members would have caused the coalition to lose its majority.
Seats needed to flip: Democrats needed to flip five of the 40 seats up for election (13% of the chamber) in order to win control of the chamber.
2018 battleground: The Alaska House of Representatives was a battleground chamber in 2018. That year, Republicans gained two seats from Democrats and one from an independent. The chamber's Democratic-led minority coalition was replaced by a power-sharing agreement. Read more about the 2018 elections here.
History of recent flips: The Alaska House of Representatives flipped twice between 2010 and 2020; Democrats gained control of the chamber in 2016, and control passed to a power-sharing agreement in 2018.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Alaska House of Representatives a toss-up in 2020, meaning both parties had a good chance of winning control of the chamber.[4]
Historical party control[edit]
A multipartisan governing coalition has controlled the Alaska House of Representatives since 2016. These coalitions primarily consisted of Democrats and independents after the 2016, 2018, and 2020 elections. Following the 2022 elections, it consisted primarily of Republicans.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Alaska House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Alaska House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16[5]
'18[6]
'20[7]
'22[8]
Democrats
20
17
16
14
13
13
14
17
18
16
15
16
17
16
15
13
Republicans
18
22
24
26
27
27
26
23
22
24
25
23
21
23
21
21
Independents
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
4
6
Before 1992[edit]
Alaska gained statehood in 1959, after which Democrats won House majorities in 13 of the 16 elections held between 1960 and 1994. Governing coalitions controlled the chamber after the 1962, 1972, and 1982 elections, each of which elected a Republican speaker.
Arizona Senate[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Arizona Senate.
See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2020
Partisan control
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 17-13 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain three seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Democrats had flipped or split control of the chamber, they would have broken the Republican trifecta. If Republicans had maintained their majorities in the state House and Senate, they would have preserved their trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Democrats would have needed to flip three of the 30 seats up for election (10% of the chamber) in order to win a majority.
Seats decided by less than 10% in 2016: The last time this set of seats was up, five of the 30 seats up (17% of the chamber) were decided by a margin of 10% or smaller.
2018 battleground: The Arizona State Senate was a battleground chamber in 2018. That year, no seats changed partisan control.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Arizona State Senate a toss-up in 2020, meaning both parties had a good chance of winning control of the chamber.[9]
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans won control of the Arizona State Senate in 2002. In 2022, they won a 16-14 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Arizona Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Arizona State Senate election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
12
11
12
14
15*
13
12
13
12
9
13
13
13
13
14
14
Republicans
18
19
18
16
15*
17
18
17
18
21
17
17
17
17
16
16
* The 15-15 split led to a power-sharing agreement between the parties.
Before 1992[edit]
Arizona achieved statehood in 1912. From 1912 to 1966, Democrats controlled the state Senate after nearly every election. Starting in 1966, Republicans began winning narrow majorities in the chamber, with Democrats winning control in three elections: 1974, 1976, and 1990.
Arizona House[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Arizona House.
See also: Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2020
Partisan control
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 31-29 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain two seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Democrats had flipped or split control of the chamber, they would have broken the Republican trifecta. If Republicans had maintained their majorities in the state House and Senate, they would have preserved their trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Democrats would have needed to flip two of the 60 seats up for election (3% of the chamber) in order to win a majority.
Seats decided by less than 10% in 2018: In the 2018 elections, 30 of the 60 seats up (50% of the chamber) were decided by a margin of 10% or smaller.
More flips in 2018 than needed to change control in 2020: More seats flipped in the 2018 election (four) than needed to flip to change control of the chamber in 2020 (two).
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Arizona House of Representatives a toss-up in 2020, meaning both parties had a good chance of winning control of the chamber.[10]
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans won control of the Arizona House of Representatives in 1966. In 2022, they won a 31-29 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Arizona House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Arizona House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
25
22
22
20
24
21
22
27
25
20
24
22
25
29
29
29
Republicans
35
38
38
40
36
39
38
33
35
40
36
38
35
31
31
31
Before 1992[edit]
Arizona achieved statehood in 1912. From 1912 to 1966, Democrats controlled the chamber, often winning majorities that controlled more than 50 of the chamber's 60 seats. However, in 1966 the Democrats lost the majority and, as of 2022, had not won it back.
Colorado Senate[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Colorado Senate.
See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2020
Partisan control
After the 2018 elections, Democrats held a 19-16 majority.
What was at stake?
Republicans needed to gain two seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Republicans had flipped the chamber, they would have broken the Democratic trifecta. If Democrats had maintained their majorities in the state House and Senate, they would have preserved their trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats decided by less than 10% in 2016: The last time this set of seats was up for election five races (28% of seats up) were decided by a margin of 10% or smaller.
Seats flipped in 2016: The last time this set of seats was up for election, two seats (11% of seats up) changed partisan control.
2018 battleground chamber: The Colorado State Senate was a battleground chamber in 2018. That year, Democrats gained two seats from Republicans and one from an independent, winning control of the chamber. Read more about the 2018 elections here.
History of recent flips: Control of the Colorado State Senate flipped twice between 2010 and 2020. Republicans gained a majority in 2012, while Democrats gained a majority in 2018.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Colorado State Senate a likely Democratic chamber in 2020, meaning Republicans had a chance to flip the chamber but Democrats were favored to retain control.[11]
Historical party control[edit]
Democrats won control of the Colorado State Senate in 2018. In 2022, they won a 23-12 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Colorado Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Colorado State Senate election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
16
16
15
14
18
17
18
20
21
20
19
17
17
19
20
23
Republicans
19
19
20
21
17
18
17
15
14
15
16
18
18
16
15
12
Before 1992[edit]
Between 1900 and 2022, the chamber changed partisan hands 14 times.
Delaware Senate[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Delaware Senate.
See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2020
Partisan control
After the 2018 elections, Democrats held a 12-9 majority.
What was at stake?
Republicans needed to gain two seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Republicans had flipped the chamber, they would have broken the Democratic trifecta. If Democrats had maintained their majorities in the state House and Senate and held the governorship, they would have preserved their trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2016: The last time this set of seats was up, two races (18% of the total) were decided by a margin of 10% or smaller.
2018 battleground chamber: The Delaware State Senate was a battleground chamber in 2018. That year, Democrats won a single seat from Republicans. Read more about the 2018 elections here.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Delaware State Senate a likely Democratic chamber in 2020, meaning Republicans had a chance to flip the chamber but Democrats were favored to retain control.[12]
Historical party control[edit]
Democrats won control of the Delaware State Senate in 1974. In 2022, they won a 15-6 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Delaware Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Delaware State Senate election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
15
12
15
13
13
13
13
13
16
14
13
12
11
12
14
15
Republicans
6
9
6
8
8
8
8
8
5
7
8
9
10
9
7
6
Before 1992[edit]
From the 1920s through the 1950s, the Delaware Senate was competitive and it often switched partisan control. Starting in 1954, Democrats gained a majority in the chamber and did not lose it until the chamber split 9-9 between the parties in 1966. Republicans won control in the next three elections before losing to the Democrats in 1974. In the years following 1974, Democrats usually held more than 13 seats, the margin needed for a three-fifths majority capable of overriding gubernatorial vetoes.
Florida Senate[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Florida Senate.
See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2020
Partisan control
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 23-17 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain four seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Democrats had flipped or split control of the chamber, they would have broken the Republican trifecta. If Republicans had maintained their majorities in the state House and Senate, they would have preserved their trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2016: The last time this set of seats was up, seven races (35% of the total) were decided by a margin of 10% or smaller.
2018 battleground chamber: The Florida State Senate was a battleground chamber in 2018. That year, Democrats won a single seat from Republicans. Read more about the 2018 elections here.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Florida State Senate a leans Republican chamber in 2020, meaning that both parties had a good chance at winning control of the chamber but that Republicans were slightly favored to retain control.[13]
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans won control of the Florida State Senate in 1994. In 2022, they won a 28-12 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Florida Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Florida State Senate election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
20*
19
17
15
15
14
14
14
14
12
14
14
15
17
16
12
Republicans
20*
21
23
25
25
26
26
26
26
28
26
26
25
23
24
28
*The two parties adopted a power-sharing agreement to accommodate the 20-20 tie in the chamber.
Before 1992[edit]
Democrats had controlled the Florida State Senate since the 1876 elections, which came in the aftermath of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Georgia Senate[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Georgia Senate.
See also: Georgia State Senate elections, 2020
Partisan control
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 35-21 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain eight seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Democrats had flipped or split control of the chamber, they would have broken the Republican trifecta. If Republicans had maintained their majorities in the state House and Senate, they would have preserved their trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Democrats needed to flip eight of the 56 seats up (14% of the chamber) in order to win a majority.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Georgia State Senate a leans Republican chamber in 2020, meaning that both parties had a good chance at winning control of the chamber but that Republicans were slightly favored to retain control.[14]
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans won control of the Georgia State Senate in 2002. In 2022, they won a 33-23 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Georgia Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Georgia State Senate election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
41
35
34
34
32
26
22
22
22
20
18
18
18
21
22
23
Republicans
15
21
22
22
24
30
34
34
34
36
38
38
38
35
34
33
Before 1992[edit]
Democrats had controlled the Georgia Senate since the end of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Georgia House[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Georgia House.
See also: Georgia House of Representatives elections, 2020
Partisan control
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 105-75 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain 16 seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Democrats had flipped or split control of the chamber, they would have broken the Republican trifecta. If Republicans had maintained their majorities in the state House and Senate, they would have preserved their trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Democrats needed to flip 16 of the 180 seats up (9% of the chamber) in order to win a majority.
More flips in 2018 than needed to change control in 2020: More seats flipped in the 2018 election (11) than needed to flip to change control of the chamber in 2020 (16).
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Georgia House of Representatives a leans Republican chamber in 2020, meaning that both parties had a good chance at winning control of the chamber but that Republicans were slightly favored to retain control.[15]
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans won control of the Georgia House of Representatives in 2004. In 2022, they won a 101-79 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Georgia House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Georgia House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
128
114
106
102
105
106
86
74
75
66
60
59
62
74
76
79
Republicans
52
66
74
78
74
73
94
106
105
113
119
120
118
106
103
101
Before 1992[edit]
Democrats had controlled the Georgia House since the end of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Iowa House[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Iowa House.
See also: Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2020
Partisan control
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 54-46 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain four seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Democrats had flipped or split control of the chamber, they would have broken the Republican trifecta. If Republicans had maintained their majorities in the state House and Senate, they would have preserved their trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Democrats needed to flip four of the 100 seats up (4% of the chamber) in order to win a majority.
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2018: In the 2018 elections, there were 20 races (20% of the chamber) decided by a margin of 10% or smaller.
2018 battleground chamber: The Iowa House of Representatives was a battleground chamber in 2018. That year, Democrats gained seven seats from Republicans while Republicans gained two seats from Democrats. Read more about the 2018 elections here.
More flips in 2018 than needed to change control in 2020: More seats flipped in the 2018 election (nine) than needed to flip to change control of the chamber in 2020 (four).
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Iowa House of Representatives a leans Republican chamber in 2020, meaning that both parties had a good chance at winning control of the chamber but that Republicans were slightly favored to retain control.[16]
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans won control of the Iowa House of Representatives in 2010. In 2022, they won a 64-36 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Iowa House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Iowa House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
49
36
46
44
44
46
49
54
56
42
47
43
41
46
41
36
Republicans
51
64
54
56
56
54
51
46
44
58
53
57
59
54
59
64
Before 1992[edit]
The Iowa House of Representatives switched partisan control 10 times from 1900 to 2022.
Maine Senate[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Maine Senate.
See also: Maine State Senate elections, 2020
Partisan control
After the 2018 elections, Democrats held a 21-14 majority.
What was at stake?
Republicans needed to gain four seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Republicans had flipped the chamber, they would have broken the Democratic trifecta. If Democrats had maintained their majorities in the state House and Senate, they would have preserved their trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Republicans needed to flip four of the 35 seats up (11%) in order to win control of the chamber.
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2018: In the 2018 elections, there were seven races (20% of the chamber) decided by a margin of 10% or smaller.
Seats flipped in 2018: In the 2018 elections, four of the 35 seats up (11% of the chamber) changed partisan control.
2018 battleground chamber: The Maine State Senate was a battleground chamber in 2018. That year, Democrats gained control of four seats from Republicans to win control of the chamber. Read more about the 2018 elections here.
History of recent flips: Control of the Maine State Senate flipped four times between 2010 and 2020. Republicans gained a majority in 2010, followed by a Democratic majority in 2012, a return to a Republican majority in 2014, and a return to a Democratic majority in 2018.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Maine State Senate a leans Democratic chamber in 2020, meaning that both parties had a good chance at winning control of the chamber but that Democrats were slightly favored to retain control.[17]
Historical party control[edit]
Democrats won control of the Maine State Senate in 2018. In 2022, they won a 22-13 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Maine Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Maine State Senate election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
20
16
19
20
17*
18
18
18
20
14
21
15
17
21
22
22
Republicans
15
18
15
14
17
17
17
17
15
20
13
20
18
14
13
13
Other
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
*Chamber controlled by power-sharing agreement
Maine House[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Maine House.
See also: Maine House of Representatives elections, 2020
Partisan control
After the 2018 elections, Democrats held an 89-57 majority with five independents.
What was at stake?
Republicans needed to gain 20 seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Republicans had flipped the chamber, they would have broken the Democratic trifecta. If Democrats had maintained their majorities in the state House and Senate, they would have preserved their trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Republicans needed to flip 20 of the 151 seats up (14% of the chamber) in order to win a majority.
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2018: In the 2018 elections, there were 39 races (26% of the chamber) decided by a margin of 10% or smaller.
Seats flipped in 2018: In the 2018 elections, 22 of the 151 seats up (15% of the chamber) changed partisan control.
More flips in 2018 than needed to change control in 2020: The number of seats that flipped in 2018 (22) was greater than the number that needed to flip in 2020 (20) to change control of the chamber.
2018 battleground chamber: The Maine House of Representatives was a battleground chamber in 2018. That year, Democrats gained control of 12 seats from Republicans, four from independents, and one from the Green Party. Republicans gained control of two seats from Democrats and independents gained control of three seats from Republicans. Read more about the 2018 elections here.
More flips in 2018 than needed to change control in 2020: More seats flipped in the 2018 election (22) than needed to flip to change control of the chamber in 2020 (20).
History of recent flips: Control of the Maine House of Representatives flipped twice between 2010 and 2020. Republicans gained a majority in 2010, while Democrats regained the majority in 2012.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Maine House of Representatives a likely Democratic chamber in 2020, meaning Republicans had a chance to flip the chamber but Democrats were favored to retain control.[18]
Historical partisan control[edit]
Democrats won control of the Maine House of Representatives in 2012. In 2022, they won an 82-67-2 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Maine House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Maine House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
90
77
81
79
88
80
76
89
96
72
86
79
77
89
80
82
Republicans
61
74
69
71
63
67
73
60
54
78
61
68
72
57
67
67
Other
0
0
1
1
1
4
2
2
1
1
4
4
2
5
4
2
Michigan House[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Michigan House.
See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2020
Partisan control
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 58-52 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain four seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Democrats needed to flip four of the 110 seats up (4% of the chamber) in order to win control of the chamber.
2018 battleground chamber: The Michigan House of Representatives was a battleground chamber in 2018. That year, Democrats gained six seats from Republicans and Republicans gained one seat from Democrats. Read more about the 2018 elections here.
More flips in 2018 than needed to change control in 2020: More seats flipped in the 2018 election (seven) than needed to flip to change control of the chamber in 2020 (four).
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Michigan House of Representatives a toss-up chamber in 2020, meaning both parties had a good chance to win a majority.[19]
Historical party control[edit]
Democrats won a 56-54 majority in the Michigan House of Representatives in 2022, gaining control of the chamber for the first time since 2008.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Michigan House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Michigan House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92*
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
55
54
58
52
51
47
52
58
67
47
51
47
47
52
52
56
Republicans
55
56
52
58
59
63
58
52
43
63
59
63
63
58
58
54
*Chamber controlled by power-sharing agreement
Minnesota Senate[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Minnesota Senate.
See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2020
Partisan balance
After the 2016 elections, Republicans held a 34-33 majority. After the 2018 special elections, Republicans held a 35-32 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain two seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Democrats won control of the chamber while maintaining a majority in the state House, they would have gained a state government trifecta. If Republicans held their majority or won a majority in the state House, they would have maintained the state's divided government.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Democrats needed to flip two of the 67 seats up (3% of the chamber) to win control of the chamber.
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2016: In the 2016 elections, there were 17 races (25% of the chamber) decided by a margin of 10% or smaller.
Seats flipped in 2016: Control of 10 seats (15% of the chamber) changed hands in the 2016 elections.
More flips in 2016 than needed to change control in 2020: More seats flipped in the 2016 election (10) than needed to flip to change control of the chamber in 2020 (two).
History of recent flips: Control of the Minnesota State Senate changed three times between 2010 and 2020. Republicans gained a majority in 2010, followed by Democrats gaining a majority in 2012 and Republicans regaining the majority in 2016.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Minnesota State Senate a toss-up chamber in 2020, meaning both parties had a good chance to win a majority.[20]
Historical party control[edit]
Democrats won a 34-33 majority in the Minnesota State Senate in 2022, gaining control of the chamber for the first time since 2012.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Minnesota Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Minnesota State Senate election results: 1992-2022
Party
92
96
00
02
06
10
12
16
20
22
Democrats
45
42
39
35
44
30
39
33
31
34
Republicans
22
25
27
31
23
37
28
34
34
33
Other
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
Minnesota House[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Minnesota House.
See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2020
Partisan balance
After the 2018 elections, Democrats held a 75-59 majority.
What was at stake?
Republicans needed to gain nine seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Republicans had won or split control of the chamber, they would have maintained Minnesota's divided government. If Democrats had held their majority while also winning control of the state Senate, they would have won trifecta control of the state.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Republicans needed to flip nine of the 134 seats up for election (7% of the chamber) in order to win control of the chamber.
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2018: In the 2018 elections, 24 races (18% of the chamber) were decided by a margin of 10% or smaller.
Seats flipped in 2018: In the 2018 elections, 18 of the 134 seats up (13% of the chamber) changed partisan hands.
More flips in 2018 than needed to change control in 2020: More seats flipped in the 2018 election (18) than needed to flip to change control of the chamber in 2020 (nine).
2018 battleground chamber: The Minnesota House of Representatives was a battleground chamber in 2018. That year, Democrats gained 18 seats from Republicans. Read more about the 2018 elections here.
History of recent flips: Control of the Minnesota House of Representatives changed four times between 2010 and 2020. Republicans won control of the chamber in 2010, Democrats in 2012, Republicans again in 2014, and Democrats again in 2018.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Minnesota House of Representatives a leans Democratic chamber in 2020, meaning that both parties had a good chance at winning control of the chamber but that Democrats were slightly favored to retain control.[21]
Historical party control[edit]
Democrats won control of the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018. In 2022, they won a 70-64 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Minnesota House following every general election from 1992 to 2020. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Minnesota House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
87
71
70
63
65
52
66
85
87
62
73
62
57
75
70
70
Republicans
47
63
64
71
69
82
68
49
47
72
61
72
77
59
64
64
Nebraska Senate[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Nebraska Senate.
See also: Nebraska State Senate elections, 2020
Partisan balance
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 30-18 majority with one legislator unaffiliated.
There are no formal party alignments or groups within the Nebraska State Senate. Coalitions tend to form issue-by-issue based on a member's philosophy of government, geographic background and constituency. However, almost all of the members of the legislature are affiliated with the state affiliate of either the Democratic or the Republican Party and both parties explicitly endorse candidates for legislative seats. Senators and candidates are listed as officially nonpartisan, but in most cases the individual has a direct party affiliation. As an example, in most cases if a sitting senator runs for Congress, the individual runs on either the Democratic or Republican line on the ballot.
Click here for more information on how Ballotpedia determined the partisan affiliation for Nebraska senators. »
What was at stake?
Republicans needed to hold every seat to maintain their veto-proof majority in 2020.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2016: The last time this set of seats was up for election, there were eight races (32% of seats up that year) decided by a margin of 10% or smaller.
Seats flipped in 2016: The last time this set of seats was up for election, seven seats (28% of those up) changed partisan control.
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans maintained control of the Nebraska State Senate in 2022. That year, they won a 32-17 majority.
While Nebraska's Unicameral is officially nonpartisan, most of its lawmakers are affiliated with the state affiliate of either the Democratic or the Republican Party. In 2015, Ballotpedia began to identify the party affiliation of the Legislature's 49 members. Ballotpedia assigned party affiliation based on voter registration, member lists provided by the Nebraska Democratic Party and Nebraska Republican Party, as well as information provided by nonprofit organizations.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Nebraska State Senate following the 2014 general election.
Nebraska State Senate election results: 2014-2022
Party
14
16
20
22
Democrats
12
15
17
17
Republicans
35
32
32
32
Other
2
2
0
0
In 1934, Nebraska voters approved a constitutional amendment that transformed Nebraska's bicameral, or two-chamber, state legislature into a unicameral, or single-chamber, Nebraska State Senate. The amendment also established the state legislature as a nonpartisan body. The new unicameral Legislature met for the first time in 1937.[22]
Nevada Senate[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Nevada Senate.
See also: Nevada State Senate elections, 2020
Partisan balance
After the 2018 elections, Democrats held a 13-8 majority.
What was at stake?
Republicans needed to gain three seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Republicans had flipped the chamber, they would have broken the Democratic trifecta. If Democrats had maintained their majorities in the state House and Senate, they would have preserved their trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2016: The last time this set of seats was up for election, there were two races (20% of the chamber) decided by a margin of 10% or smaller.
Seats flipped in 2016: The last time this set of seats was up for election, one seat (10% of the chamber) changed partisan control.
2018 battleground chamber: The Nevada State Senate was a battleground chamber in 2018. That year, Democrats gained one seat from Republicans and one from an independent. Click here to read more about the 2018 elections.
History of recent flips: Control of the Nevada State Senate changed twice between 2010 and 2020. Republicans gained a majority in 2014, while Democrats gained a majority in 2016.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Nevada State Senate a likely Democratic chamber in 2020, meaning Republicans had a chance to flip the chamber but Democrats were favored to retain control.[23]
Historical party control[edit]
Democrats won control of the Nevada State Senate in 2016. In 2022, they won a 13-8 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Nevada Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Nevada State Senate election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
10
8
9
9
9
9
9
10
12
11
11
10
11
13
12
13
Republicans
11
13
12
12
12
12
12
11
9
10
10
11
10
8
9
8
New Hampshire Senate[edit]
Click [show] to read about the New Hampshire Senate.
See also: New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2020
Partisan balance
After the 2018 elections, Democrats held a 14-10 majority.
What was at stake?
Republicans needed to gain three seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
Heading into the 2020 elections, New Hampshire was under divided government with neither party holding a trifecta. Democrats controlled both chambers of the state legislature while Republicans controlled the governorship. All three trifecta components were up for election in 2020. Both parties had a chance to gain a trifecta by winning all three components.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Republicans needed to flip three of the 24 seats up for election (13% of seats up) in order to win control of the chamber.
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2018: In the 2018 elections, there were 11 races (46% of the chamber) decided by margins of 10% or smaller.
Seats flipped in 2018: In the 2018 elections, partisan control of six seats (25% of the chamber) changed hands.
More seats flipped in 2018 than needed to change majority in 2020: More seats flipped in the 2018 elections (six) than needed to flip to change control of the chamber in 2020 (three).
2018 battleground chamber: In 2018, the New Hampshire State Senate was a battleground chamber. That year, Democrats gained five seats from Republicans and Republicans gained one seat from Democrats. Click here to read more about the 2018 elections.
Other 2020 battleground election: The 2020 election for governor of New Hampshire was a battleground race. Click here for more on the 2020 gubernatorial election.
History of recent flips: Control of the New Hampshire State Senate changed twice between 2010 and 2020. Republicans gained a majority in 2010, while Democrats gained a majority in 2018.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the New Hampshire State Senate a toss-up chamber in 2020, meaning both parties had a good chance to win a majority.[24]
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans won control of the New Hampshire State Senate in 2020. In 2022, they won a 14-10 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the New Hampshire Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
New Hampshire State Senate election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
11
6
9
13
11
6
8
14
14
5
11
10
10
14
10
10
Republicans
13
18
15
11
13
18
16
10
10
19
13
14
14
10
14
14
New Hampshire House[edit]
Click [show] to read about the New Hampshire House.
See also: New Hampshire House of Representatives elections, 2020
Partisan balance
After the 2018 elections, Democrats held a 233-167 majority.
What was at stake?
Republicans needed to gain 36 seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
Heading into the 2020 elections, New Hampshire was under divided government with neither party holding a trifecta. Democrats controlled both chambers of the state legislature while Republicans controlled the governorship. All three trifecta components were up for election in 2020. Both parties had a chance to gain a trifecta by winning all three components.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Republicans needed to flip 34 of the 400 seats up (9%) in order to win a majority.
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2018: In the 2018 elections, control of 302 seats (76% of the chamber) was decided by a margin of 10% or smaller.
Seats flipped in 2018: In the 2018 elections, 71 seats (18% of the chamber) changed partisan control.
More seats flipped in 2018 than needed to change control in 2020: More seats flipped in 2018 (71) than would need to flip to change control of the chamber in 2020 (34).
2018 battleground chamber: In 2018, the New Hampshire House of Representatives was a battleground chamber. That year, Democrats gained 62 seats from Republicans and one from a Libertarian, winning control of the chamber. Republicans gained six seats from Democrats and two from Libertarians. Click here to read more about the 2018 elections.
Other 2020 battleground election: The 2020 election for governor of New Hampshire was a battleground race. Click here for more on the 2020 gubernatorial election.
History of recent flips: Control of the New Hampshire House of Representatives flipped four times between 2010 and 2020. Republicans gained a majority in 2010, followed by Democrats in 2012, Republicans again in 2014, and Democrats again in 2018.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the New Hampshire House of Representatives a leans Democratic chamber in 2020, meaning that both parties had a good chance at winning control of the chamber but that Democrats were slightly favored to retain control.[25]
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans won control of the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 2020. In 2022, they won a 201-199 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the New Hampshire House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
New Hampshire House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
136
112
143
154
140
119
148
239
224
102
221
160
173
233
187
199
Republicans
258
286
255
242
256
281
252
161
176
298
179
239
227
167
213
201
Other
6
2
2
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
North Carolina Senate[edit]
Click [show] to read about the North Carolina Senate.
See also: North Carolina State Senate elections, 2020
Partisan balance
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 29-21 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain five seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Democrats had flipped both the state Senate and state House while holding the governorship, they would have gained a state government trifecta. If Republicans had held both the state Senate and state House while winning the governorship, they would have gained a trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Democrats needed to flip five of the 50 seats up (10%) in order to win control of the chamber.
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2018: In the 2018 elections, control of 10 seats (20% of the chamber) was decided by margins of 10% or smaller.
Seats flipped in 2018: Control of six seats (12% of the chamber) changed hands in 2018.
More seats flipped in 2018 than needed to flip in 2020: The number of seats flipped in the 2018 elections (six) was greater than the number that needed to flip to change control of the chamber in 2020 (five).
Other 2020 battleground election: The 2020 election for governor of North Carolina was a battleground race. Click here for more on the 2020 gubernatorial election.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the North Carolina State Senate a leans Republican chamber in 2020, meaning that both parties had a good chance at winning control of the chamber but that Republicans were slightly favored to retain control.[26]
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans won control of the North Carolina State Senate in 2010. In 2022, they won a 30-20 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the North Carolina Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
North Carolina State Senate election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
39
26
30
35
35
28
29
31
30
19
18
16
15
21
22
20
Republicans
11
24
20
15
15
22
21
19
20
31
32
34
35
29
28
30
North Carolina House[edit]
Click [show] to read about the North Carolina House.
See also: North Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2020
Partisan balance
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 65-55 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain six seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
If Democrats had flipped both the state Senate and state House while holding the governorship, they would have gained a state government trifecta. If Republicans had held both the state Senate and state House while winning the governorship, they would have gained a trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Democrats needed to flip six of the 120 seats up (5%) in order to win control of the chamber.
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2018: In the 2018 elections, control of 24 seats (20% of the chamber) was decided by margins of 10% or smaller.
Seats flipped in 2018: Control of 14 seats (12% of the chamber) changed hands in 2018.
More seats flipped in 2018 than needed to flip in 2020: The number of seats flipped in the 2018 elections (14) was greater than the number that needed to flip to change control of the chamber in 2020 (six).
Other 2020 battleground election: The 2020 election for governor of North Carolina was a battleground race. Click here for more on the 2020 gubernatorial election.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the North Carolina House of Representatives a leans Republican chamber in 2020, meaning that both parties had a good chance at winning control of the chamber but that Republicans were slightly favored to retain control.[27]
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans won control of the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2010. In 2022, they won a 71-49 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the North Carolina House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
North Carolina House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
78
52
59
66
62
59
63
68
68
52
43
46
46
55
51
49
Republicans
42
68
61
54
58
61
57
52
52
67
77
74
74
65
69
71
Other
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Pennsylvania Senate[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Pennsylvania Senate.
See also: Pennsylvania State Senate elections, 2020
Partisan balance
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 29-21 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain five seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats flipped in 2016: The last time this set of seats was up, control of three seats (12% of the chamber) changed hands.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Pennsylvania State Senate a leans Republican chamber in 2020, meaning that both parties had a good chance at winning control of the chamber but that Republicans were slightly favored to retain control.[28]
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans won control of the Pennsylvania State Senate in 1994. In 2022, they won a 28-22 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Pennsylvania Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Pennsylvania State Senate election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
25
21
20
20
20
21
20
21
20
20
23
20
16
21
21
22
Republicans
25
29
30
30
30
29
30
29
29
30
27
30
34
29
29
28
Pennsylvania House[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Pennsylvania House.
See also: Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2020
Partisan balance
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 110-93 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain 10 seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Democrats needed to win 10 of the 203 seats up (5%) in order to gain control of the chamber.
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2018: In the 2018 elections, there were 31 races (representing 15% of the chamber) decided by margins of 10% or smaller.
More seats flipped in 2018 than needed to flip in 2020: The number of seats flipped in the 2018 elections (17) was greater than the number of seats that needed to flip to change control of the chamber in 2020 (10).
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Pennsylvania House of Representatives a leans Republican chamber in 2020, meaning that both parties had a good chance at winning control of the chamber but that Republicans were slightly favored to retain control.[29]
Historical party control[edit]
Democrats won a 102-101 majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2022, gaining control of the chamber for the first time since 2008.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Pennsylvania House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
105
101
99
100
99
94
93
102
104
91
93
84
82
93
92
102
Republicans
98
102
104
103
104
109
110
101
99
112
110
119
121
110
111
101
Texas House[edit]
Click [show] to read about the Texas House.
See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2020
Partisan balance
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 83-67 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain nine seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats needed to flip: Democrats needed to win nine of the 150 seats up (6%) in order to gain control of the chamber.
Seats decided by 10% or less in 2018: In the 2018 elections, there were 27 races (representing 18% of the chamber) decided by margins of 10% or smaller.
More seats flipped in 2018 than needed to flip in 2020: The number of seats flipped in the 2018 elections (12) was greater than the number of seats that needed to flip to change control of the chamber in 2020 (nine).
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the Texas House of Representatives a leans Republican chamber in 2020, meaning that both parties had a good chance at winning control of the chamber but that Republicans were slightly favored to retain control.[30]
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans won control of the Texas House of Representatives in 2002. In 2022, they won an 86-64 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Texas House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Texas House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
91
89
82
79
78
62
63
69
74
51
55
52
55
67
67
64
Republicans
58
61
68
71
72
88
87
81
76
99
95
98
95
83
83
86
West Virginia Senate[edit]
Click [show] to read about the West Virginia Senate.
See also: West Virginia State Senate elections, 2020
Partisan balance
After the 2018 elections, Republicans held a 20-14 majority.
What was at stake?
Democrats needed to gain four seats to take control of the chamber in 2020.
Why was it a battleground?
Seats flipped in 2016: The last time this set of seats was up, control of four seats (12% of the chamber) changed hands.
Race ratings:The Cook Political Report rated the West Virginia State Senate a likely Republican chamber in 2020, meaning that that Republicans were favored to retain control.[31]
Historical party control[edit]
Republicans won control of the West Virginia State Senate in 2014. In 2022, they won a 30-4 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the West Virginia Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
West Virginia State Senate election results: 1992-2022
Year
'92
'94
'96
'98
'00
'02
'04
'06
'08
'10
'12
'14
'16
'18
'20
'22
Democrats
32
26
25
29
28
24
21
23
28
27
24
16
12
14
11
4
Republicans
2
8
9
5
6
10
13
11
6
7
10
18
22
20
23
30
Political context[edit]
The 2020 state legislative elections took place in the context of significant Republican gains in state legislatures between 2010 and 2017 and a swing back towards Democratic control in 2018. Between 2010 and 2017, Democrats lost a net 968 seats across the country's 99 state legislative chambers. Democrats gained a net 308 seats in the 2018 state legislative elections. In the 2019 elections, Republicans gained a net 12 seats while Democrats gained a net one seat. Democrats flipped two legislative chambers.
Heading into the 2020 elections, Republicans held 21 state government trifectas to Democrats' 15, majority control of 59 state legislative chambers to Democrats' 39, and control of 26 governors' offices to Democrats' 24.
Changes in chamber partisan control, 2010 to 2019[edit]
See also: Partisan composition of state legislatures
Prior to the 2010 elections, Democrats controlled 60 of the country's 99 state legislative chambers, Republicans controlled 37, and two chambers were not controlled by either party. In the six years that followed, Republicans made significant gains and took control of many of the chambers that were previously held by Democrats. After the 2016 elections, Democrats controlled 31 chambers and Republicans controlled 68.
In the 2017, 2018, and 2019 elections, Democrats increased their number of state legislative chambers to 39, and Republicans saw their number of chambers fall to 59. Control of one chamber, the Alaska House of Representatives, was split between the parties.
From 2010 to 2019, there were 63 instances where a state legislative chamber changed partisan control. Of these 63 changes, 42 involved a chamber changing from Democratic to Republican control and 17 involved a chamber changing from Republican to Democratic control. The other four involved chambers that were split between the two parties (Oregon House in 2010 and 2012; Montana House in 2010; Alaska House in 2018).
Most of the changes came during major elections but some also came through special elections (Louisiana House in 2010; Washington Senate in 2017) and party switching (Louisiana House in 2010; Mississippi Senate in 2011). In some cases, the party that gained control did not have a numerical majority but instead controlled the chamber through a bipartisan coalition (i.e., Alaska House in 2016). This table does not account for changes in party control or ties in a chamber that lasted for less than one year and were not the result of a regularly scheduled election. An example of this is the brief period of Democratic control in the Virginia State Senate in 2014.[32]
From 2010 to 2019, 40 chambers switched control: 24 switched control once, 12 switched control twice, one switched control three times, and three switched control four times.
For this chart, a red box indicates that the chamber flipped from Democratic to Republican control, and a blue box indicates that the chamber flipped from Republican to Democratic control.[33]
Chamber changes in partisan control: 2010-2019
Party changes in 2010
Party changes in 2011
Party changes in 2012
Party changes in 2014
Party changes in 2016
Party changes in 2017
Party changes in 2018
Party changes in 2019
Alabama Senate
Louisiana Senate[34][35]
Alaska Senate
Colorado Senate
Alaska House
Washington Senate
Alaska House[36]
Virginia House
Alabama House
Mississippi Senate[37][38]
Arkansas Senate
Maine Senate
Iowa Senate
Colorado Senate
Virginia Senate
Colorado House
Mississippi House
Arkansas House
Minnesota House
Kentucky House
Maine Senate
Indiana House
Virginia Senate[39]
Colorado House
Nevada Senate
Minnesota Senate
Minnesota House
Iowa House
Maine Senate
Nevada House
Nevada Senate
New Hampshire House
Louisiana House[40][41]
Maine House
New Hampshire House
Nevada House
New Hampshire Senate
Maine Senate
Minnesota Senate
New Mexico House
New Mexico House
New York Senate
Maine House
Minnesota House
West Virginia Senate
Michigan House
New Hampshire House
West Virginia House
Minnesota Senate
Oregon House[42]
Minnesota House
Washington Senate
Montana House[43]
New Hampshire Senate
New Hampshire House
New York Senate
North Carolina Senate
North Carolina House
Ohio House
Oregon House[44]
Pennsylvania House
Wisconsin Senate
Wisconsin House
Total changes: 22
Total changes: 4
Total changes: 11
Total changes: 9
Total changes: 7
Total changes: 1
Total changes: 7
Total changes: 2
The chart below shows how many chambers each party controlled after the November elections in a given year.
Partisan control of state legislative chambers: 2010-2019
Election
Democratic chambers
Republican chambers
Other
Before 2010
60
37
2
2010
38
59
2
2011
35
60
4
2012
41
56
2
2013
41
56
2
2014
30
68
1
2015
30
68
1
2016
31
68
0
2017
32
67
0
2018
37
61
1
2019
39
59
1
State legislatures and presidents[edit]
First midterms[edit]
Heading into the 2020 election, the Republican Party was coming off a substantial loss of seats during an even-year election for the first time in more than a decade. Republicans across the country collectively lost 349 seats during the 2018 state legislative elections and 2017 state legislative elections, marking the third time during the last four presidencies that the party of the sitting president--Donald Trump (R) in this case--lost seats during that president's first midterm election. Democrats lost 702 seats during Barack Obama's (D) first midterm and 488 seats during Bill Clinton's (D) first midterm. Only George W. Bush (R) saw a net gain of seats during his first midterm with Republicans winning 110 seats.
Two-term presidents[edit]
It is normal for a party to lose ground in state legislatures when their party controls the presidency for two terms. Between the time of Franklin Roosevelt (D) and George W. Bush (R), the political party of the president lost, on average, 450 state legislative seats while holding the White House. The losses that the Democratic Party sustained under Barack Obama (D), however, were exceptional, rivaled only by the terms of Richard Nixon (R) and Dwight Eisenhower (R), when Republicans lost 800 and 843 seats, respectively.
Trifectas from 2010 to 2019[edit]
See also: State government trifectas
A state government trifecta occurs when one political party controls the primary levers of power in a state: the governor's office, the state Senate, and the state House. From 2010 to 2018, the Republican Party increased its number of trifectas and the Democratic Party saw a decline in its trifectas. However, Democrats picked up six trifectas in the 2018 elections, and Republicans lost four trifectas. In the 2019 elections, Democrats gained one trifecta and Republicans lost one.
This chart shows the number of trifectas each party held heading into elections from 2010 to 2018, and the number of trifectas following the 2019 elections.
Trifectas by year: 2010-2018
Election
Democratic trifectas
Republican trifectas
States under divided government
Pre-2010 elections
17
10
23
Pre-2012 elections
11
22
17
Pre-2014 elections
12
24
14
Pre-2016 elections
7
23
20
Pre-2018 elections
8
26
16
Post-2018 elections
14
22
14
Post-2019 elections
16
21
13
Click on the map below to see the trifecta status of different states following elections from 2010 to 2018.
Current state government trifectas
State government trifectas, post-2022 elections[edit]
State government trifectas, pre-2022 elections[edit]
State government trifectas, post-2020 elections[edit]
State government trifectas, pre-2020 elections[edit]
State government trifectas, post-2018 elections[edit]
State government trifectas, pre-2018 elections[edit]
State government trifectas, post-2016 elections[edit]
State government trifectas, pre-2016 elections[edit]
State government trifectas, pre-2014[edit]
State government trifectas, pre-2012[edit]
State government trifectas, pre-2010[edit]
Learn more about Ballotpedia's analyses of trifectas and state governments
Current state government trifectas
Historical and potential changes in trifectas
Trifectas and legislatively referred constitutional amendments
Who Runs the States Report
Party control of state government
See also[edit]
State legislative elections, 2020
U.S. Senate battlegrounds, 2020
U.S. House battlegrounds, 2020
Footnotes[edit]
↑Nebraska's state legislature is officially nonpartisan.
↑A rating of toss-up was worth three points, a leans rating was worth two points, and a likely rating was worth one point. Any chamber scoring five or more points was considered a battleground chamber. Seven exceptions were made to this rule. The Delaware State Senate, Georgia State Senate, Georgia House of Representatives, Nebraska State Senate, Pennsylvania State Senate, and West Virginia State Senate were added to the battleground list, while the Texas House of Representatives was removed.
↑Anchorage Daily News, "A coalition majority is necessary to break deadlock, Alaska House members say," January 29, 2019
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑17 Democrats, three Republicans, and two independents formed a 22-member governing coalition.
↑15 Democrats, six Republicans, and two independents formed a 23-member governing coalition. One independent was Bryce Edgmon who switched his affiliation from Democratic to unenrolled after the election.
↑15 Democrats, two Republicans, and four independents formed a 21-member governing coalition. Two Republicans did not join either caucus.
↑19 Republicans, two Democrats, and two independents formed a 23-member governing coalition.
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑Nebraska Legislature, "History of the Nebraska Unicameral," accessed February 9, 2021
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Cook Political Report, "July Update: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races," July 22, 2020
↑The Washington Post, "Virginia Republicans snatched control of the state Senate, ended budget-Medicaid impasse," June 9, 2014
↑2015 and 2013 are not included because no chambers flipped those years.
↑The chamber first changed from Democratic to Republican control in a February 2011 special election. Republicans increased their majority to 24-15 in the 2011 elections.
↑Fox News, "GOP Candidate Wins Lousiana [sic] Senate Special Election, Shifting Majority," February 20, 2011
↑Chamber went from being controlled by a Democratic-led bipartisan coalition to being led by a coalition with power split between the parties.
↑The chamber changed partisan control prior to the 2011 elections due to Democrats switching to the Republican Party and special election wins by Republicans. Republicans increased their majority in the 2011 elections to 31-21.
↑The Washington Post, "Southern Democrats in dire straits; 2011 looms large," January 11, 2011
↑In the 2011 elections, the chamber changed from a 22-18 Democratic advantage to a 20-20 tie. Republicans effectively controlled the chamber because Lieutenant Gov. Bill Bolling (R) could cast tie-breaking votes.
↑This chamber did not hold elections in 2010. It switched partisan control in December 2010 when Democrat Noble Ellington changed his party affiliation to Republican. In the regularly-scheduled 2011 elections, Republicans increased their majority to 58-45.
↑Nola.com, "Louisiana Republicans take first House majority since Reconstruction with latest party switch," December 17, 2010
↑In this election, the Oregon House changed from a 30-30 tie to a 34-26 Democratic advantage.
↑This chamber went from a 50-50 tie to a 68-32 Republican advantage in the 2010 elections.
↑This chamber went from a 36-24 Democratic advantage to a 30-30 tie in the 2010 elections.
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