Few Legislative Races Feature Both Parties

By Kelley Arnold and Heather Perkins, CSG Elections Center

Despite more than 5,800 legislative seats appearing on statewide ballots, only 39 percent of those races will feature both a Democratic and Republican contender. The remaining 61 percent are races that are either uncontested or have only one major party candidate squaring off against one or more third party candidates. However, based on current majority controls, recent polls and the number of contested seats appearing, these are a few of the chambers that promise to be close:

• Alaska Senate: While much attention focuses on the presidential race and Alaskan congressional races, little notice has been paid to increasingly competitive state Senate races. The current majority is actually a bipartisan block composed of Senate Democrats and six members of the Republican Party. Democrats speculate they could potentially pick up enough seats to win the majority outright.

• Ohio House: The current Republican majority in this term-limited state could be altered after next week’s elections. Records show Democrats are outspending their Republican opponents in many of the closely contested House races. With the national spotlight on this battleground state, voters seem to have a renewed enthusiasm driving them to the polls, which could impact many races at the state level. With more than a dozen races really in play and with the Democrats only needing to pick up four seats to take the majority, it looks as though majority control of the Ohio House could flip.

• North Dakota Senate: Democrats hope to build on their success in 2006 and overtake Republicans for majority control in the Senate. Throughout the state, Democrats have shown enthusiasm and successful mobilization and grassroots efforts, leading some to believe that a party switch is feasible. Three of the four open seats up for election this cycle are currently held by Republicans. Democrats see those openings as a good place to make up some ground.

Other chambers in play:

• Arizona Senate and House

• Delaware House
• Indiana House
• Maine Senate
• Montana House
• Nevada Senate
• New Hampshire Senate
• Oklahoma Senate
• Pennsylvania House
• Tennessee Senate
• Texas House
• Wisconsin Senate and House

Additional CSG Elections Center resources
State-by-State Coverage
State Executive Races Overview
State Legislative Races Overview
State Judicial Races Overview
State Initiatives & Referenda Appearing on the Ballot
State Political Maps