One of the major stories in the 2010 election that will have long lasting policy and political implications is the shift in party control of state legislative chambers across the country. Nineteen chambers have switched from Democrat to Republican control. The most dramatic shifts have occurred in six states that saw both chambers switch party control – Alabama, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Wisconsin.
There are now 25 states where the Republicans control both the House and Senate and 18 states controlled by the Democrats. Five states now have divided control (Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, and Virginia). Nebraska has a nonpartisan legislature and New York is not decided. Prior to last night, nine states had divided control.
This large shift will have implications for redistricting of congressional seats, the 2012 presidential campaign and policy deliberations in the 2011 legislative sessions. Coupled with the seven Governorships Republicans gained, party control at the state level has changed dramatically at a critical time.
Some additional points on the states that experienced a shift in statehouse party control:
There are now 25 states where the Republicans control both the House and Senate and 18 states controlled by the Democrats. Five states now have divided control (Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, and Virginia). Nebraska has a nonpartisan legislature and New York is not decided. Prior to last night, nine states had divided control.
This large shift will have implications for redistricting of congressional seats, the 2012 presidential campaign and policy deliberations in the 2011 legislative sessions. Coupled with the seven Governorships Republicans gained, party control at the state level has changed dramatically at a critical time.
Some additional points on the states that experienced a shift in statehouse party control:
- In 2008, Obama received 95 electoral votes above the necessary 270 to win the presidency.
- Six states saw both chambers switch party control – Alabama, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Wisconsin. These states have 52 electoral votes with North Carolina being the most competitive of this group.
- Five states moved from divided control to both chambers being Republican controlled – Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. These states have 72 electoral votes.
- The eleven state in the two groups above total 124 electoral votes.
- Two additional states, and possibly three, moved from Democrat to divided control – Colorado and Iowa. These states total 16 electoral votes.
- The thirteen states that experienced a shift in at least one legislative chamber to the Republicans total 140 electoral votes.
- Of these thirteen states, Obama won eleven in 2008 – Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. These states total 128 electoral votes.
- Five states where Republicans switched at least chamber, Obama won in 2008 by less than 10% – Indiana, Iowa, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Ohio. These states total 57 electoral votes.
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