2007 Election Wrap-Up 

8:44 am MDT Nov. 7, 2007

All of the standard disclaimers apply. Elections were held for legislative seats in six chambers on Tuesday and based on the unofficial, preliminary results and pending recounts, Democrats appear to have clawed to new, narrow majorities in the Mississippi and Virginia Senates. In addition, they maintained majority status in both New Jersey chambers and the Mississippi House. The GOP held its majority control in the Virginia House of Delegates although they appear to have lost a few seats. If those results hold, Democrats control 23 legislatures; Republicans control 14 legislatures, and 12 are split between the two parties.

In Virginia, the unofficial returns show that Democrats won 21 Senate seats and Republicans won 19. Going into the election, it was 23 R and 17 D. Democrats knocked off at least a couple of GOP incumbents including northern Virginia Senator Jeannemarie Devolites Davis and Senator Nick Rerras. The AP reported that Virginia legislative candidates raised over $60 million for legislative elections this year (call it the "redistricting factor"). Democrats have not controlled either chamber in Virginia since the 1999 election.

Democrats appear to have won of the 52 Mississippi Senate races giving them a majority in the Senate although several races are still very close and could wind up being recounted. Democrats picked off three incumbent Republican Senators in the Magnolia State--Sen. Ralph Doxey, Sen. Richard White and Sen. James Walley--but lost one of their own incumbents when Democratic Senator Gloria Williamson lost.  Pending recounts, Democrats have held the Mississippi House 74 D to 48 R although a leadership fight may lead to changes at the top.

New Jersey Republicans actually netted a one seat gain, but Democrats still control both houses comfortably. Preliminary numbers for the New Jersey Senate are 23 D and 17 R. In the New Jersey Assembly, it will be 48 D, 32 R. The big story in New Jersey is turnover. Over a third of Garden State legislators will be new in 2008--term limits like turnover in a non-term limited state.

Results from the second branch of state government were less exciting and went as predicted with Mississippi Republican governor Haley Barbour cruising to re-election while Kentucky incumbent Republican governor Ernie Fletcher lost. Factoring in legislative and gubernatorial control, Democrats now have the reigns of state government in 15 states, and Republicans hold all the marbles in 10 states. In 24 states, power is divided between the two parties.

A 50 state table of partisan control of legislatures is on NCSL's website here. 

Pre-election party composition for these states:

	Senate				House
	Dem	Rep	Other	Vacant	Dem	Rep	Other	Vacant
Louisiana	25	14			60	44	1
Mississippi	25	27			75	47
New Jersey	22	18			50	30
Virginia	17	23			40	57	3

Louisiana held primary elections in October.  In their system, Louisiana conducts a “nonpartisan” primary election where all candidates participate in a first election.  If no candidate receives a majority of all votes cast, a “run-off” is held between the top two candidates.  Democrats retained control of the Senate in the primary by winning 22 seats,  while Republications won 13 seats and four will be decided in a runoff on November 17.  In the House, Republicans won 30 seats, Democrats won 34, one no-party candidate won a seat and 40 seats will be decided in the runoff election.

Louisiana, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal won the governor's race in the primary in October without a runoff election.