Democrats Gain Control of Two Legislative Chambers
in November 2001 Elections -- Earn Tie in a Third
DENVER -- If preliminary, and unofficial, results hold, the tally of legislative party control tilts slightly back to the Democrats after Tuesday's legislative races in New Jersey, Virginia and Washington. Going into the off-year elections, legislative control stood at 18 states for the GOP, 16 for the Democrats and 15 split between the two parties. Now it appears that the parties are dead even when it comes to controlling legislatures--17 states for the Republicans, 17 states for the Democrats and 15 split.
In New Jersey, the Democrats capitalized on a favorable redistricting plan and a winning candidate at the top of the ticket to wrest control of the State Assembly from GOP control for the first time in nearly a decade. And the New Jersey Senate emerged from Election Day tied at 20-20 bringing the total of tied legislative chambers to three. The Maine and Arizona Senates also are evenly split.
One tied chamber shifted to the Democratic column due to two special elections for Washington House seats. For the past three years, the Washington House has been divided 49-49, but special election victories in two districts give the Democrats control 50-48. These numbers should be taken with a bit of caution. Washington State election results are usually late in being tabulated, so it may be days before the Democratic victories are confirmed.
Virginia Republicans took advantage of new district maps to substantially improve their numbers in the State House of Delegates. Republican House Speaker Vance Wilkins now boasts a 30-seat advantage with the House of Delegate's numbers winding up at 64 Republicans, 34 Democrats and two Independents.
Democrats picked up governors mansions in New Jersey and Virginia leaving the party control split for governors at 27 GOP, 21 Democratic, one Independent (Maine) and former Reform Party member, Jesse Ventura in Minnesota.
Republicans control all of state government in 11 states and the Democrats in 9 states. Divided government prevails in all other states.
Initiative & Referendum November 2001 Election Results
One Party Control of State Government after 2001 Elections
NCSL's Elections Web Site
NCSL's Legislative Management Program
(For more information, contact Tim Storey at (303) 364-7700)
Posted: November 7, 2001
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