Republicans did not just take losses in Washington on Tuesday. The party also lost significant ground in state governments across the country, handing Democrats new control over governorships, statewide offices, and legislative chambers in states ranging from traditional battlegrounds to reliably red territory.
In Arizona, Democrats are on track to sweep the races for governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and several other statewide offices. They are also on the verge of taking control of both the state House and Senate, which would give Democrats full trifecta control of Arizona for the first time in 60 years.
Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin saw a similar pattern, with Democrats winning governor’s races and taking control of state legislatures. Before Tuesday, Republicans held the Michigan House, the Nevada governor’s seat, the Pennsylvania Senate, and both chambers of the Wisconsin General Assembly.
In New Hampshire, Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte won reelection, but Democrats are projected to break the GOP’s trifecta by taking both the state House and Senate. In North Carolina, Democrats flipped the state House, while Republicans appear to have held on to a narrow majority in the state Senate. North Carolina’s governor’s office, held by Democrat Josh Stein, was not on the ballot this year.
Losses Extend Into Red States
The damage to Republicans was not limited to battleground states. In Georgia, Democrats swept the races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. Republicans are projected to retain the state Senate, but control of the state House remains uncertain as of publication.
In Iowa, Democrat Rob Sand defeated Republican Zach Lahn for governor, and Democrat Nate Willems is positioned to unseat Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird. Republicans are expected to keep control of the Iowa Legislature.
In Kansas, with more than 95 percent of ballots counted as of publication, Democrat Cindy Holscher leads Republican Ty Masterson by less than a point in the governor’s race, and Democrat Chris Mann leads Republican Kris Kobach by a point in the attorney general contest. Republicans are projected to hold their legislative majorities there as well.
Ohio followed a similar track. Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy for governor, and Democrat John Kulewicz leads Republican Keith Faber by less than a point in the attorney general race, with more than 95 percent of votes counted as of publication. Republicans are expected to retain control of the Ohio Legislature.
The steepest losses came in Texas, where Democrats won the races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and other statewide offices. Democrats also swept all four Texas Supreme Court races, flipping the court’s conservative majority from 9-0 to 5-4. Control of the Texas Legislature will be split, with Democrats taking the House and Republicans holding the Senate.
