2008 United States state legislative elections

For related races, see 2008 United States elections.

2008 United States state legislative elections

←  2007 November 4, 2008 2009  →
85 legislative chambers in 44 states
Majority party Minority party Third party   Party Democratic Republican Coalition Chambers before 58 39 [lower-alpha 1] 1 [lower-alpha 2] Chambers after 61 37 1 [lower-alpha 2] Overall change 3 2
Map of upper house elections:      Democrats gained control     Democrats retained control      Republicans gained control     Republicans retained control      Coalition retained control      Non-partisan legislature      No regularly-scheduled elections
Map of lower house elections:      Democrats gained control     Democrats retained control      Republicans gained control     Republicans retained control      Non-partisan legislature      No regularly-scheduled elections

Elections to state legislatures were held on November 4, 2008, alongside other elections, in which Democrats scored significant gains in a blue wave election. Elections were held for 85 legislative chambers, with all states but Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, Alabama, Maryland, and Virginia holding elections in at least one house. Michigan and Minnesota held elections for their lower, but not upper houses. ^[1] Seven territorial chambers in four territories and the District of Columbia were up.

The New Hampshire Senate saw the election of the first-ever female majority. This is the first time this has occurred in any chamber of any state legislature in United States history. ^[2] In New York, the Democrats obtained a trifecta for the first time since 1935, and in Delaware for the first time since 1977. ^[3]

The Democrats took control of six legislative bodies to the Republicans' four. Democrats took control of the Delaware House of Representatives, for the first time since 1985, the Montana House of Representatives, the Nevada Senate, and the New York State Senate, for the first time since 1966, the Ohio House of Representatives, and the Wisconsin State Assembly. Republicans took control of the Montana Senate; both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly, ^[4] for the first time since 1870; and the Oklahoma Senate, for the first time in state history. With the Montana Senate and the Montana House of Representatives flipping, this election cycle marked the last time in U.S. history as of 2024 where the upper house and lower house held by different political parties in a state legislature both flipped in the same cycle.

Summary table

Regularly-scheduled elections were held in 85 of the 99 state legislative chambers in the United States. Nationwide, regularly-scheduled elections were held for 5,948 of the 7,383 legislative seats. Many legislative chambers held elections for all seats, but some legislative chambers that use staggered elections held elections for only a portion of the total seats in the chamber. ^[5] The chambers not up for election either hold regularly-scheduled elections in odd-numbered years, or have four-year terms and hold all regularly-scheduled elections in presidential midterm election years.

Note that this table only covers regularly-scheduled elections; additional special elections took place concurrently with these regularly-scheduled elections.

State	Upper House [5]				Lower House [5]
	Seats up	Total	% up	Term	Seats up	Total	% up	Term
Alaska	19	20	95	4	40	40	100	2
Arizona	30	30	100	2	60	60	100	2
Arkansas	35	35	100	2/4 [lower-alpha 3]	100	100	100	2
California	20	40	50	4	80	80	100	2
Colorado	18	35	51	4	65	65	100	2
Connecticut	36	36	100	2	151	151	100	2
Delaware	21	21	100	2/4 [lower-alpha 3]	41	41	100	2
Florida	40	40	100	2/4 [lower-alpha 3]	120	120	100	2
Georgia	56	56	100	2	180	180	100	2
Hawaii	25	25	100	2/4 [lower-alpha 3]	51	51	100	2
Idaho	35	35	100	2	70	70	100	2
Illinois	59	59	100	2/4 [lower-alpha 3]	118	118	100	2
Indiana	25	50	50	4	100	100	100	2
Iowa	25	50	50	4	100	100	100	2
Kansas	40	40	100	4	125	125	100	2
Kentucky	19	38	50	4	100	100	100	2
Louisiana	0	39	0	4	0	105	0	4
Maine	35	35	100	2	151	151	100	2
Maryland	0	47	0	4	0	141	0	4
Massachusetts	40	40	100	2	160	160	100	2
Michigan	0	38	0	4	110	110	100	2
Minnesota	0	0	100	2/4 [lower-alpha 3]	134	134	100	2
Mississippi	0	52	0	4	0	122	0	4
Missouri	17	34	50	4	163	163	100	2
Montana	25	50	50	4	100	100	100	2
Nebraska	25 [lower-alpha 4]	49 [lower-alpha 4]	51 [lower-alpha 4]	4	N/A (unicameral)
Nevada	10	21	48	4	42	42	100	2
New Hampshire	24	24	100	2	400	400	100	2
New Jersey	0	40	0	2/4 [lower-alpha 3]	0	80	0	2
New Mexico	42	42	100	4	70	70	100	2
New York	62	62	100	2	150	150	100	2
North Carolina	50	50	100	2	120	120	100	2
North Dakota	23	47	49	4	47	94	50	4
Ohio	16	33	48	4	99	99	100	2
Oklahoma	24	48	50	4	101	101	100	2
Oregon	15	30	50	4	60	60	100	2
Pennsylvania	25	50	50	4	203	203	100	2
Rhode Island	38	38	100	2	75	75	100	2
South Carolina	46	46	100	4	124	124	100	2
South Dakota	35	35	100	2	70	70	100	2
Tennessee	16	33	48	4	99	99	100	2
Texas	16	31	52	2/4 [lower-alpha 3]	150	150	100	2
Utah	15	29	52	4	75	75	100	2
Vermont	30	30	100	2	150	150	100	2
Virginia	0	40	0	4	0	100	0	2
Washington	25	49	51	4	98	98	100	2
West Virginia	17	34	50	4	100	100	100	2
Wisconsin	16	33	48	4	99	99	100	2
Wyoming	15	30	50	4	60	60	100	2
Total	1280	1971	65	N/A	4595	5411	85	N/A

Electoral predictions

Analysts expected Democrats to perform quite well, owing to the strong polling of Democrat Barack Obama in the concurrent presidential election. Despite this, they expected Democrats to only be able to pick up a net handful of chambers from the Republicans owing to the highs they had already reached during the 2006 elections. They saw Democrats' best pickup opportunities in chambers in midwestern presidential battleground states such as the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Ohio House of Representatives, as well as Republican-held chambers in strongly-Democratic states, such as the Delaware House of Representatives and the New York State Senate. Despite Obama's large polling lead, Republicans were expected to be able to win a few chambers in southern states where his potential coattails were seen as weaker in rural areas, such as the Oklahoma Senate and the Tennessee Senate. ^[6]

Ratings are designated as follows:

• "Tossup": Competitive, no advantage
• "Lean": Competitive, slight advantage
• "Likely": Not competitive, but opposition could make significant gains
• "Safe": Not competitive at all

State	Chamber	Last election	Stateline Oct. 15, 2008 [6]	Result
Alaska	Senate	Coal. 15–5	Tossup	Coal. 16–4
	House of Representatives	R 23–17	Likely R	R 22–18
Arizona	Senate	R 17–13	Lean R	R 18–12
	House of Representatives	R 33–27	Tossup	R 36–24
Arkansas	Senate	D 27–8	Safe D	D 27–8
	House of Representatives	D 72–28	Safe D	D 71–28–1
California	State Senate	D 25–15	Safe D	D 25–15
	State Assembly	D 48–32	Safe D	D 50–29–1
Colorado	Senate	D 20–15	Lean D	D 21–14
	House of Representatives	D 39–26	Likely D	D 38–27
Connecticut	State Senate	D 24–12	Safe D	D 24–12
	House of Representatives	D 107–44	Safe D	D 114–37
Delaware	Senate	D 13–8	Safe D	D 16–5
	House of Representatives	R 23–18	Lean D (flip)	D 24–17
Florida	Senate	R 26–14	Safe R	R 26–14
	House of Representatives	R 78–42	Safe R	R 76–44
Georgia	State Senate	R 34–22	Safe R	R 34–22
	House of Representatives	R 106–74	Safe R	R 105–74–1
Hawaii	Senate	D 20–5	Safe D	D 23–2
	House of Representatives	D 43–8	Safe D	D 45–6
Idaho	Senate	R 28–7	Safe R	R 28–7
	House of Representatives	R 51–19	Safe R	R 52–18
Illinois	Senate	D 37–22	Likely D	D 37–22
	House of Representatives	D 66–52	Likely D	D 70–48
Indiana	Senate	R 33–17	Safe R	R 33–17
	House of Representatives	D 51–49	Tossup	D 52–48
Iowa	Senate	D 30–20	Likely D	D 32–18
	House of Representatives	D 54–46	Likely D	D 57–43
Kansas	Senate	R 30–10	Safe R	R 31–9
	House of Representatives	R 78–47	Safe R	R 77–48
Kentucky	Senate	R 21–16–1	Likely R	R 21–16–1
	House of Representatives	D 61–39	Safe D	D 65–35
Maine	Senate	D 18–17	Tossup	D 20–15
	House of Representatives	D 90–59–2	Safe D	D 95–55–1
Massachusetts	Senate	D 35–5	Safe D	D 35–5
	House of Representatives	D 141–19	Safe D	D 144–15–1
Michigan	House of Representatives	D 58–52	Lean D	D 67–43
Minnesota	House of Representatives	D 85–49	Safe D	D 87–47
Missouri	Senate	R 21–13	Likely R	R 23–11
	House of Representatives	R 92–71	Likely R	R 89–74
Montana	Senate	D 26–24	Lean R (flip)	R 27–23
	House of Representatives	R 50–49–1	Tossup	D 50–50
Nevada	Senate	R 11–10	Tossup	D 12–9
	Assembly	D 27–15	Safe D	D 28–14
New Hampshire	Senate	D 14–10	Tossup	D 14–10
	House of Representatives	D 239–160–1	Lean D	D 225–175
New Mexico	Senate	D 24–18	Safe D	D 27–15
	House of Representatives	D 42–28	Safe D	D 45–25
New York	State Senate	R 33–29	Lean D (flip)	D 32–30
	State Assembly	D 106–42–1–1	Safe D	D 107–41–1–1
North Carolina	Senate	D 31–19	Lean D	D 30–20
	House of Representatives	D 68–52	Likely D	D 68–52
North Dakota	Senate	R 26–21	Tossup	R 26–21
	House of Representatives	R 61–33	Likely R	R 58–36
Ohio	Senate	R 21–12	Likely R	R 21–12
	House of Representatives	R 53–46	Tossup	D 53–46
Oklahoma	Senate	D 24–24	Lean R (flip)	R 26–22
	House of Representatives	R 57–44	Likely R	R 61–40
Oregon	State Senate	D 19–11	Safe D	D 18–12
	House of Representatives	D 31–29	Likely D	D 36–24
Pennsylvania	State Senate	R 29–21	Safe R	R 30–20
	House of Representatives	D 102–101	Tossup	D 104–99
Rhode Island	Senate	D 33–5	Safe D	D 33–4–1
	House of Representatives	D 60–15	Safe D	D 69–6
South Carolina	Senate	R 26–20	Safe R	R 27–19
	House of Representatives	R 73–51	Safe R	R 73–51
South Dakota	Senate	R 20–15	Lean R	R 21–14
	House of Representatives	R 50–20	Safe R	R 46–24
Tennessee	Senate	16–16–1 [lower-alpha 5]	Lean R (flip)	R 19–14
	House of Representatives	D 53–46	Lean D	R 50–49
Texas	Senate	R 20–11	Safe R	R 19–12
	House of Representatives	R 81–69	Lean R	R 76–74
Utah	State Senate	R 21–8	Safe R	R 21–8
	House of Representatives	R 55–20	Safe R	R 53–22
Vermont	Senate	D 23–7	Safe D	D 23–7
	House of Representatives	D 93–49–6–2	Safe D	D 94–48–5–3
Washington	State Senate	D 32–17	Safe D	D 31–18
	House of Representatives	D 62–36	Safe D	D 62–36
West Virginia	Senate	D 23–11	Safe D	D 26–8
	House of Delegates	D 72–28	Safe D	D 71–29
Wisconsin	Senate	D 18–15	Lean D	D 18–15
	State Assembly	R 52–47	Tossup	D 52–46–1
Wyoming	Senate	R 23–7	Safe R	R 23–7
	House of Representatives	R 43–17	Safe R	R 41–19

Maps

• 
  Partisan control of state governments after the 2008 elections:
  

    Democrats maintained trifecta

    Democrats gained trifecta

    Republicans maintained trifecta

    Divided government maintained

    Divided government established

    Officially non-partisan legislature
• 
  Upper house seats by party holding majority in each state
  

  Democratic   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%   90–100%

  Republican   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%

  Tie   50%

• 
  Lower house seats by party holding majority in each state
  

  Democratic   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%   90–100%

  Republican   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%

  Tie   50%

• 
  Net changes to upper house seats after the 2008 elections
       +1 Dem seat     +2 Dem seats     +3 Dem seats
       +1 Rep seat     +2 Rep seats     +3 Rep seats
       +1 Ind seat
• 
  Net changes to lower house seats after the 2008 elections
       +1 Dem seat     +2 Dem seats     +3–5 Dem seats     +6–9 Dem seats
       +1 Rep seat     +3–4 Rep seats     +15 Rep seats
       +1 Ind seat     +1 Green seat

State summaries

Alaska

Main articles: 2008 Alaska Senate election and 2008 Alaska House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Alaska House of Representatives and half of the Alaska Senate were up for election. The Democratic-led coalition maintained control of the Senate while Republicans maintained control of the House.

Alaska Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	9	10	1
	Republican	6	6	1
		5	4
Total		20	20

Alaska House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	23	22	1
	Democratic	17	18	1
Total		40	40

Arizona

Main articles: 2008 Arizona Senate election and 2008 Arizona House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Arizona Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Arizona Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	17	18	1
	Democratic	13	12	1
Total		30	30

Arizona House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	33	36	3
	Democratic	27	24	3
Total		60	60

Arkansas

Main articles: 2008 Arkansas State Senate election and 2008 Arkansas House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Arkansas House of Representatives and half of the Arkansas Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Arkansas Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	27	27
	Republican	8	8
Total		35	35

Arkansas House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	72	71	1
	Republican	28	28
	Green	0	1	1
Total		100	100

California

Main articles: 2008 California State Senate election and 2008 California State Assembly election

All of the seats of the California House of Representatives and half of the California Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

California State Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	25	25
	Republican	15	15
Total		40	40

California State Assembly

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	48	50	2
	Republican	32	29	3
	Independent	0	1	1
Total		80	80

Colorado

Main articles: 2008 Colorado Senate election and 2008 Colorado House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Colorado House of Representatives and half of the Colorado Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Colorado Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	20	21	1
	Republican	15	14	1
Total		35	35

Colorado House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	39	38	1
	Republican	26	27	1
Total		65	65

Connecticut

Main articles: 2008 Connecticut State Senate election and 2008 Connecticut House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Connecticut Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Connecticut State Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	23	24	1
	Republican	13	12	1
Total		36	36

Connecticut House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	107	114	7
	Republican	44	37	7
Total		151	151

Delaware

Main articles: 2008 Delaware Senate election and 2008 Delaware House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Delaware House of Representatives and half of the Delaware Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the Senate and won control of the House.

Delaware Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	13	16	3
	Republican	8	5	3
Total		21	21

Delaware House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	18	24	6
	Republican	23	17	6
Total		41	41

Florida

Main articles: 2008 Florida Senate election and 2008 Florida House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Florida House of Representatives and half of the Florida Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Florida Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	26	26
	Democratic	14	14
Total		40	40

Florida House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	77	76	1
	Democratic	43	44	1
Total		120	120

Georgia

Main articles: 2008 Georgia State Senate election and 2008 Georgia House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Georgia Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Georgia State Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	34	34
	Democratic	22	22
Total		56	56

Georgia House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	106	105	1
	Democratic	74	74
	Independent	0	1	1
Total		180	180

Hawaii

Main articles: 2008 Hawaii Senate election and 2008 Hawaii House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Hawaii House of Representatives and half of the Hawaii Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Hawaii Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	20	23	3
	Republican	5	2	3
Total		25	25

Hawaii House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	43	45	2
	Republican	8	6	2
Total		51	51

Idaho

Main articles: 2008 Idaho Senate election and 2008 Idaho House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Idaho Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Idaho Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	28	28
	Democratic	7	7
Total		35	35

Idaho House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	51	52	1
	Democratic	19	18	1
Total		70	70

Illinois

Main articles: 2008 Illinois Senate election and 2008 Illinois House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Illinois House of Representatives and 2/3rds of the Illinois Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Illinois Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	37	37
	Republican	22	22
Total		59	59

Illinois House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	67	70	3
	Republican	51	48	3
Total		118	118

Indiana

Main articles: 2008 Indiana State Senate election and 2008 Indiana House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Indiana House of Representatives and half of the Indiana Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate while Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.

Indiana Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	33	33
	Democratic	17	17
Total		50	50

Indiana House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	51	52	1
	Republican	49	48	1
Total		100	100

Iowa

Main articles: 2008 Iowa Senate election and 2008 Iowa House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Iowa House of Representatives and half of the Iowa Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Iowa Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	30	32	2
	Republican	20	18	2
Total		50	50

Iowa House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	54	57	3
	Republican	46	43	3
Total		100	100

Kansas

Main articles: 2008 Kansas Senate election and 2008 Kansas House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Kansas Senate and Kansas House of Representatives were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Kansas Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	30	31	1
	Democratic	20	19	1
Total		50	50

Kansas House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	78	77	1
	Democratic	47	48	1
Total		125	125

Kentucky

Main articles: 2008 Kentucky Senate election and 2008 Kentucky House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Kentucky House of Representatives and half of the Kentucky Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate and Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.

Kentucky Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	22	21	1
	Independent	1	1
	Democratic	15	16	1
Total		38	38

Kentucky House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	63	65	2
	Republican	37	35	2
Total		100	100

Maine

Main articles: 2008 Maine State Senate election and 2008 Maine House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Maine Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Maine Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	18	20	2
	Republican	17	15	2
Total		35	35

Maine House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	90	95	5
	Republican	59	55	4
	Independent	2	1	1
Total		151	151

Massachusetts

Main articles: 2008 Massachusetts Senate election and 2008 Massachusetts House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Massachusetts Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Massachusetts Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	35	35
	Republican	5	5
Total		40	40

Massachusetts House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	144	144
	Republican	15	15
	Independent	1	1
Total		160	160

Michigan

Main article: 2008 Michigan House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Michigan House of Representatives were up for election; Democrats maintained control.

Michigan House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	58	67	9
	Republican	52	43	9
Total		110	110

Minnesota

Main article: 2008 Minnesota House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Minnesota House of Representatives were up; Democrats maintained control.

Minnesota House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic (DFL)	85	87	2
	Republican	48	47	1
	Independent Republican	1	0	1
Total		134	134

Missouri

Main articles: 2008 Missouri State Senate election and 2008 Missouri House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Missouri House of Representatives and half of the Missouri Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Missouri Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	21	23	2
	Democratic	13	11	2
Total		34	34

Missouri House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	92	89	3
	Democratic	71	74	3
Total		163	163

Montana

Main articles: 2008 Montana Senate election and 2008 Montana House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Montana House of Representatives and half of the Montana Senate were up for election. Republicans flipped control of the Senate and Democrats flipped control of the House.

Montana Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	24	27	3
	Democratic	26	23	3
Total		50	50

Montana House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	49	50 [lower-alpha 6]	1
	Republican	50	50
	Constitution	1	0	1
Total		100	100

Nebraska

Main article: 2008 Nebraska State Legislature election

Nebraska is the only U.S. state with a unicameral legislature; half of the seats of the Nebraska Legislature were up for election. Nebraska is also unique in that its legislature is officially non-partisan and holds non-partisan elections, although the Democratic and Republican parties each endorse legislative candidates. Republicans maintained control.

Nebraska Legislature

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	30	31	1
	Democratic	17	18	1
	Independent	2	0	2
Total		49	49

Nevada

Main articles: 2008 Nevada State Senate election and 2008 Nevada Assembly election

All of the seats of the Nevada House of Representatives and half of the Nevada Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the House and won control of the Senate.

Nevada Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	10	12	2
	Republican	11	9	2
Total		21	21

Nevada Assembly

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	27	28	1
	Republican	15	14	1
Total		42	42

New Hampshire

Main articles: 2008 New Hampshire Senate election and 2008 New Hampshire House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and the New Hampshire Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both legislative chambers.

New Hampshire Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	14	14
	Republican	10	10
Total		24	24

New Hampshire House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	239	225	14
	Republican	160	175	15
	Independent	1	0	1
Total		400	400

New Mexico

Main articles: 2008 New Mexico Senate election and 2008 New Mexico House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the New Mexico Senate and the New Mexico House of Representatives were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both chambers.

New Mexico Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	24	27	3
	Republican	18	15	3
Total		42	42

New Mexico House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	42	45	3
	Republican	28	25	3
Total		70	70

New York

Main articles: 2008 New York State Senate election and 2008 New York State Assembly election

All of the seats of the New York Legislature were up for election. Democrats won control of the Senate and maintained control of the Assembly.

New York State Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	30	32	2
	Republican	32	30	2
Total		62	62

New York State Assembly

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	106	107	1
	Republican	42	41	1
	Independence	1	1
	Working Families	1	1
Total		150	150

North Carolina

Main articles: 2008 North Carolina Senate election and 2008 North Carolina House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the North Carolina House of Representatives and half of the North Carolina Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

North Carolina Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	31	30	1
	Republican	19	20	1
Total		50	50

North Carolina House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	68	68
	Republican	52	52
Total		120	120

North Dakota

Main articles: 2008 North Dakota Senate election and 2008 North Dakota House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the North Dakota House of Representatives and half of the North Dakota Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

North Dakota Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	26	26
	Democratic-NPL	21	21
Total		47	47

North Dakota House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	61	58	3
	Democratic-NPL	33	36	3
Total		94	94

Ohio

Main articles: 2008 Ohio Senate election and 2008 Ohio House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Ohio House of Representatives and half of the Ohio Senate were up for election. Democrats won control of the House of Representatives while Republicans maintained control of the Senate.

Ohio Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	21	21
	Democratic	12	12
Total		33	33

Ohio House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	46	53	7
	Republican	53	46	7
Total		99	99

Oklahoma

Main articles: 2008 Oklahoma Senate election and 2008 Oklahoma House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and half of the Oklahoma Senate were up for election. Republicans won control of the Senate and maintained control of the House.

Oklahoma Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	24	26	2
	Democratic	24 [lower-alpha 6]	22	2
Total		48	48

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	57	61	4
	Democratic	44	40	4
Total		101	101

Oregon

Main articles: 2008 Oregon State Senate election and 2008 Oregon House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Oregon House of Representatives and half of the Oregon Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both legislative chambers.

Oregon State Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	19	18	1
	Republican	11	12	1
Total		30	30

Oregon House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	31	36	5
	Republican	29	24	5
Total		60	60

Pennsylvania

Main articles: 2008 Pennsylvania Senate election and 2008 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and half of the Pennsylvania Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate while Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.

Pennsylvania State Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	29	30	1
	Democratic	21	20	1
Total		50	50

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	102	104	2
	Republican	101	99	2
Total		203	203

Rhode Island

Main articles: 2008 Rhode Island Senate election and 2008 Rhode Island House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Rhode Island Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Rhode Island Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	33	33
	Republican	5	4	1
	Independent	0	1	1
Total		38	38

Rhode Island House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	60	69	9
	Republican	15	6	9
Total		75	75

South Carolina

Main articles: 2008 South Carolina Senate election and 2008 South Carolina House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the South Carolina legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

South Carolina Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	27	27
	Democratic	19	19
Total		46	46

South Carolina House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	73	73
	Democratic	51	51
Total		124	124

South Dakota

Main articles: 2008 South Dakota Senate election and 2008 South Dakota House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the South Dakota Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

South Dakota Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	20	21	1
	Democratic	15	14	1
Total		35	35

South Dakota House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	50	46	4
	Democratic	20	24	4
Total		70	70

Tennessee

Main articles: 2008 Tennessee Senate election and 2008 Tennessee House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Tennessee House of Representatives and half of the Tennessee Senate were up for election. Republicans won control of both state legislative chambers.

Tennessee Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	16	19	3
	Democratic	16	14	2
	Independent	1	0	1
Total		33	33

Tennessee House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	46	50	4
	Democratic	53	49	4
Total		99	99

Texas

Main articles: 2008 Texas Senate election and 2008 Texas House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Texas House of Representatives and half of the Texas Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Texas Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	20	19	1
	Democratic	11	12	1
Total		31	31

Texas House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	79	76	3
	Democratic	71	74	3
Total		150	150

Utah

Main articles: 2008 Utah Senate election and 2008 Utah House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Utah House of Representatives and half of the Utah Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Utah State Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	21	21
	Democratic	8	8
Total		29	29

Utah House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	55	53	2
	Democratic	20	22	2
Total		75	75

Vermont

Main articles: 2008 Vermont Senate election and 2008 Vermont House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Vermont Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Vermont Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	23	23
	Republican	7	7
Total		30	30

Vermont House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	93	94	1
	Republican	49	48	1
	Progressive	6	5	1
	Independent	2	3	1
Total		150	150

Washington

Main articles: 2008 Washington State Senate election and 2008 Washington House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Washington House of Representatives and half of the Washington Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both legislative chambers.

Washington State Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	31	31
	Republican	18	18
Total		49	49

Washington House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	63	62	1
	Republican	35	36	1
Total		98	98

West Virginia

Main articles: 2008 West Virginia Senate election and 2008 West Virginia House of Delegates election

All of the seats of the West Virginia House of Delegates and half of the West Virginia Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

West Virginia Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	23	26	3
	Republican	11	8	3
Total		34	34

West Virginia House of Delegates

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	72	71	1
	Republican	28	29	1
Total		100	100

Wisconsin

Main articles: 2008 Wisconsin Senate election and 2008 Wisconsin State Assembly election

All of the seats of the Wisconsin Assembly and half of the Wisconsin Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the Senate and won control of the Assembly.

Wisconsin Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	18	18
	Republican	15	15
Total		33	33

Wisconsin State Assembly

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	47	52	5
	Republican	51	46	5
	Independent	1	1
Total		99	99

Wyoming

Main articles: 2008 Wyoming State Senate election and 2008 Wyoming House of Representatives election

All of the seats of the Wyoming House of Representatives and half of the Wyoming Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Wyoming Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	23	23
	Democratic	7	7
Total		30	30

Wyoming House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Republican	43	41	2
	Democratic	17	19	2
Total		60	60

Territorial and federal district summaries

American Samoa

All of the seats of the American Samoa Senate and the American Samoa House of Representatives were up for election. Members of the Senate serve four-year terms, while members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms. Gubernatorial and legislative elections are conducted on a nonpartisan basis in American Samoa.

Guam

All of the seats of the unicameral Legislature of Guam were up for election. All members of the legislature serve a two-year term. Democrats retained control of the legislature.

Guam Legislature

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	8	10	2
	Republican	7	5	2
Total		15	15

Puerto Rico

All of the seats of the Senate of Puerto Rico and the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico are up for election. Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives both serve four-year terms. The New Progressive Party held control of both chambers.

Puerto Rico Senate

Party		Before	After	Change
	Popular Democratic	11	9	2
	New Progressive	15	22	7
	Puerto Rican Independence	1	0	1
Total		27	31

Puerto Rico House of Representatives

Party		Before	After	Change
	Popular Democratic	18	17	1
	New Progressive	32	37	5
	Puerto Rican Independence	1	0	1
Total		51	54

U.S. Virgin Islands

All of the seats of the unicameral Legislature of the Virgin Islands were up for election. All members of the legislature serve a two-year term. Democrats retained control of the legislature.

Virgin Islands Legislature

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	9	10	1
	Independent	6	5	1
Total		15	15

Washington, D.C.

The Council of the District of Columbia serves as the legislative branch of the federal district of Washington, D.C. Half of the council seats are up for election. Council members serve four-year terms. Democrats retained supermajority control of the council.

District of Columbia Council

Party		Before	After	Change
	Democratic	11	11
	Independent	1	2	1
Total		13	13

Notes

1. Following the defection of Senator Micheal R. Williams from the Republican party, no party controlled the Tennessee Senate. Thus the chamber is not included in the total here.
2. The Alaska Senate was controlled by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. The minority caucus consists of Republicans who were not part of the majority coalition.
3. The upper houses of Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Texas use a 2-4-4 term length system.
4. These figures represent the seats of Nebraska's unicameral legislature.
5. Includes a 2007 party switch by a Republican Senator that deadlocked the chamber.
6. The Democratic Party controlled the chamber by virtue of holding the governor's office.

References

1. "State legislative elections, 2008". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
2. "New Hampshire Senate Makes History". ABC News. December 7, 2008.
3. "New York - Election Results 2008 - The New York Times". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
4. Whitehouse, Ken. "Tennessee Republicans win slim majority in State House". Nashville Post. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
5. "2020 Legislative Races by State and Legislative Chamber". National Conference of State Legislatures.
6. Jacobson, Louis (October 15, 2008). "Legislative races tilting Dems' way in '08". Stateline. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved August 1, 2024.