2012 United States state legislative elections

Last updated

2012 United States state legislative elections
Flag of the United States.svg
  2011 November 6, 2012 2013  

86 legislative chambers
44 states
 Majority partyMinority partyThird party
 
Party Republican Democratic Coalition
Chambers before6136 [a] 1 [b]
Chambers after58392 [c] [d]
Overall changeDecrease2.svg 3Increase2.svg 3 [e] Increase2.svg 1

US2012stateupperhouses.svg
Map of upper house elections:
     Democrats gained control     Democrats retained control
     Republicans gained control     Republicans retained control
     Coalition gained control
     Non-partisan legislature
     No regularly-scheduled elections

US2012statelowerhouses.svg
Map of lower house elections:
     Democrats gained control     Democrats retained control
     Republicans gained control     Republicans retained control
     Non-partisan legislature
     No regularly-scheduled elections

The 2012 United States state legislative elections were held on November 6, 2012, for 86 state legislative chambers in 44 states. Across the fifty states, approximately 65 percent of all upper house seats and 85 percent of all lower house seats were up for election. Nine legislative chambers in the five permanently-inhabited U.S. territories and the federal district of Washington, D.C. also held elections. The elections took place concurrently with several other federal, state, and local elections, including the presidential election, U.S. Senate elections, U.S. House elections, and gubernatorial elections.

Contents

13 chambers shifted party control, as Republicans had gained many chambers in the 2010 mid-term elections, and this was seen as a modest rebalancing. [1]

Democrats won the Colorado House of Representatives, Maine Senate, Maine House of Representatives, Minnesota Senate, Minnesota House of Representatives, New Hampshire House of Representatives, and Oregon House of Representatives that was previously tied. Meanwhile, Republicans won the Wisconsin Senate which was briefly under Democratic control after multiple recall elections earlier in the year, and both chambers of the Arkansas legislature for the first time since 1874. The Alaska Senate went from a Democratic-led coalition to Republican control. The Washington Senate went from Democratic control to a Republican-led coalition, and the New York State Senate went from Republican control to a Republican-led coalition.

Summary table

Regularly-scheduled elections were held in 86 of the 99 state legislative chambers in the United States. Nationwide, regularly-scheduled elections were held for 6,015 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. [2] 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.

StateUpper House [2] Lower House [2]
Seats upTotal % upTermSeats upTotal % upTerm
Alaska 192095440401002
Arizona 3030100260601002
Arkansas 35351002/4 [f] 1001001002
California 204050480801002
Colorado 183551465651002
Connecticut 363610021511511002
Delaware 21211002/4 [f] 41411002
Florida 40401002/4 [f] 1201201002
Georgia 565610021801801002
Hawaii 25251002/4 [f] 51511002
Idaho 3535100270701002
Illinois 59591002/4 [f] 1181181002
Indiana 25505041001001002
Iowa 25505041001001002
Kansas 404010041251251002
Kentucky 19385041001001002
Louisiana 03904010504
Maine 353510021511511002
Maryland 04704014104
Massachusetts 404010021601601002
Michigan 038041101101002
Minnesota 67671002/4 [f] 1341341002
Mississippi 05204012204
Missouri 17345041631631002
Montana 25505041001001002
Nebraska 25 [g] 49 [g] 51 [g] 4N/A (unicameral)
Nevada 102148442421002
New Hampshire 242410024004001002
New Jersey 04002/4 [f] 08002
New Mexico 4242100470701002
New York 636310021501501002
North Carolina 505010021201201002
North Dakota 23474944794504
Ohio 163348499991002
Oklahoma 24485041011011002
Oregon 153050460601002
Pennsylvania 25505042032031002
Rhode Island 3838100275751002
South Carolina 464610041241241002
South Dakota 3535100270701002
Tennessee 163348499991002
Texas 1631522/4 [f] 1501501002
Utah 152952475751002
Vermont 303010021501501002
Virginia 04004010002
Washington 254951498981002
West Virginia 17345041001001002
Wisconsin 163348499991002
Wyoming 153050460601002
Total1281197265N/A4595541185N/A

Redistricting

Partisan control of U.S. state legislative redistricting following the 2010 census.
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Democratic control
Republican control
Split or bipartisan control
Independent redistricting commission
No redistricting necessary USLegislativeRedistrictingPartisanControl2010.svg
Partisan control of U.S. state legislative redistricting following the 2010 census.
  Democratic control
  Republican control
  Split or bipartisan control
  Independent redistricting commission
  No redistricting necessary

The 2022 elections were the first held after redistricting following the 2020 census. All states holding elections in 2022 did so under new maps drawn in accordance with the new census results with the exception of Montana and Pennsylvania. Montana implements its new maps four years after the census as opposed to two, whereas Pennsylvania's Supreme Court rejected the legislative maps drawn by the state's politician redistricting commission, leaving the elections to be held under the lines passed in 2001. [3] [4] In a majority of states, legislative redistricting is controlled by the state legislature, often subject to gubernatorial veto. This allows for widespread gerrymandering, in which the party in power draws legislative boundaries to favor itself. Many states delegate redistricting power to an independent or bipartisan redistricting commission, often with the goal of minimizing or eliminating partisan gerrymandering. [3]

Electoral predictions

Analysts considered both the Democratic and Republican parties to be at approximately equal risk of losing state legislative chambers to the other, owing to the expectation that this would be the first election that was not a wave election since 2004. Although Republicans were expected to win states like Arkansas, which had been trending towards them in recent years, Democrats had the potential to roll back some of the gains Republicans had made in 2010 in more competitive states such as Colorado. Despite the potential for Democratic gains, they were still expected to remain far behind the Republicans in overall chamber control due to the major losses the party suffered in 2010 and 2011. [5]

Ratings are designated as follows:

StateChamberLast

election

Governing

Oct. 24, 2012 [5]

Result
Alaska Senate Coal. 15–5 Lean R (flip)R 13–7
House of Representatives R 24–16 Safe RR 26–14
Arizona Senate R 21–9 Likely RR 17–13
House of Representatives R 40–20 Likely RR 36–24
Arkansas Senate D 20–15 Lean R (flip)R 21–14
House of Representatives D 54–46 Lean R (flip)R 51–48–1
California State Senate D 25–15 Safe DD 29–11
State Assembly D 52–28 Safe DD 56–24
Colorado Senate D 20–15 Lean DD 20–15
House of Representatives R 33–32 Lean D (flip)D 37–28
Connecticut State Senate D 23–13 Safe DD 22–14
House of Representatives D 99–52 Safe DD 98–53
Delaware Senate D 14–7 Safe DD 13–8
House of Representatives D 26–15 Safe DD 27–14
Florida Senate R 28–12 Likely RR 26–14
House of Representatives R 81–39 Likely RR 76–44
Georgia State Senate R 35–21 Safe RR 38–18
House of Representatives R 108–71–1 Safe RR 119–60–1
Hawaii Senate D 24–1 Safe DD 24–1
House of Representatives D 43–8 Safe DD 44–7
Idaho Senate R 28–7 Safe RR 29–6
House of Representatives R 57–13 Safe RR 57–13
Illinois Senate D 34–25 Safe DD 40–19
House of Representatives D 64–54 Safe DD 71–47
Indiana Senate R 36–14 Safe RR 37–13
House of Representatives R 60–40 Safe RR 69–31
Iowa Senate D 26–24 TossupD 26–24
House of Representatives R 60–40 Likely RR 53–47
Kansas Senate R 31–9 Safe RR 32–8
House of Representatives R 92–33 Safe RR 92–33
Kentucky Senate R 22–15–1 Safe RR 23–14–1
House of Representatives D 58–42 Lean DD 55–45
Maine Senate R 20–14–1 Lean RD 19–15–1
House of Representatives R 78–72–1 Lean D (flip)D 89–58–4
Massachusetts Senate D 36–4 Safe DD 36–4
House of Representatives D 130–30 Safe DD 131–29
Michigan House of Representatives R 63–47 Lean RR 59–51
Minnesota Senate R 37–30 TossupD 39–28
House of Representatives R 72–62 TossupD 73–61
Missouri Senate R 26–8 Safe RR 24–10
House of Representatives R 105–58 Safe RR 110–53
Montana Senate R 28–22 Safe RR 27–23
House of Representatives R 68–32 Safe RR 61–39
Nevada Senate D 11–10 TossupD 11–10
Assembly D 26–16 Lean DD 27–15
New Hampshire Senate R 19–5 Lean RR 13–11
House of Representatives R 298–102 Lean RD 221–179
New Mexico Senate D 27–15 Likely DD 25–17
House of Representatives D 36–34 Lean DD 38–32
New York State Senate R 32–30 TossupCoal. 36–27
State Assembly D 99–50–1 Safe DD 105–44–1
North Carolina Senate R 31–19 Likely RR 32–18
House of Representatives R 67–52–1 Likely RR 77–43
North Dakota Senate R 35–12 Safe RR 33–14
House of Representatives R 69–25 Safe RR 71–23
Ohio Senate R 23–10 Safe RR 23–10
House of Representatives R 59–40 Lean RR 60–39
Oklahoma Senate R 32–16 Safe RR 36–12
House of Representatives R 70–31 Safe RR 72–29
Oregon State Senate D 16–14 Lean DD 16–14
House of Representatives 30–30 Lean DD 34–26
Pennsylvania State Senate R 30–20 Likely RR 27–23
House of Representatives R 112–91 Likely RR 111–92
Rhode Island Senate D 29–8–1 Safe DD 32–5–1
House of Representatives D 65–10 Safe DD 69–6
South Carolina Senate R 27–19 Safe RR 28–18
House of Representatives R 76–48 Safe RR 78–46
South Dakota Senate R 30–5 Safe RR 28–7
House of Representatives R 50–19–1 Safe RR 53–17
Tennessee Senate R 20–13 Safe RR 26–7
House of Representatives R 64–34–1 Safe RR 71–27–1
Texas Senate R 19–12 Safe RR 19–12
House of Representatives R 99–51 Safe RR 95–55
Utah State Senate R 22–7 Safe RR 24–5
House of Representatives R 58–17 Safe RR 61–14
Vermont Senate D 21–8–1 Safe DD 21–7–2
House of Representatives D 94–48–5–3 Safe DD 96–45–5–4
Washington State Senate D 27–22 TossupCoal. 26–23
House of Representatives D 56–42 Likely DD 55–43
West Virginia Senate D 28–6 Likely DD 25–9
House of Delegates D 65–35 Likely DD 54–46
Wisconsin Senate D 17–16 [h] Lean R (flip)R 18–15
State Assembly R 60–38–1 Likely RR 60–39
Wyoming Senate R 26–4 Safe RR 26–4
House of Representatives R 50–10 Safe RR 52–8

Maps

State summaries

Alaska

Most of the seats of the Alaska Senate and all of the seats of the Alaska House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans won control of the Senate from a Democratic-led coalition, while maintaining control of the Alaska House of Representatives.

Alaska Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 513Increase2.svg 3
5
Democratic 102Decrease2.svg 3
5
Total2020
Alaska House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2426Increase2.svg 2
Democratic 44Decrease2.svg 2
1210
Total4040

Arizona

All of the seats of the Arizona Senate and the Arizona House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans maintained a government trifecta with control of the governorship and both state legislative chambers.

Arizona Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2117Decrease2.svg 4
Democratic 913Increase2.svg 4
Total3030
Arizona House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 4036Decrease2.svg 4
Democratic 2024Increase2.svg 4
Total6060

Arkansas

All of the seats of the Arkansas Senate and all of the seats of the Arkansas House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans won control of both chambers for the first time since Reconstruction, thereby ending a government trifecta. The Green Party won one seat in the House because a judge had ordered all votes for the candidate's opponent not be counted, due to a felony conviction for election fraud. [6]

Arkansas Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 1521Increase2.svg 6
Democratic 2014Decrease2.svg 6
Total3535
Arkansas House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 4651Increase2.svg 5
Democratic 5448Decrease2.svg 6
Green 01Increase2.svg 1
Total100100

California

Half of the seats of the California State Senate and all of the seats of the California State Assembly were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

California State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2529Increase2.svg 4
Republican 1511Decrease2.svg 4
Total4040
California State Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 5255Increase2.svg 3
Republican 2825Decrease2.svg 3
Total8080

Colorado

Half of the seats of the Colorado Senate and all of the seats of the Colorado House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of the state Senate and won control of the state House, establishing a trifecta.

Colorado Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2020Steady2.svg
Republican 1515Steady2.svg
Total3535
Colorado House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 3237Increase2.svg 5
Republican 3328Decrease2.svg 5
Total6565

Connecticut

All of the seats of the Connecticut State Senate and the Connecticut House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of both houses.

Connecticut State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2222Steady2.svg
Republican 1414Steady2.svg
Total3636
Connecticut House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 9998Decrease2.svg 1
Republican 5253Increase2.svg 1
Total151151

Delaware

All of the seats of the Delaware Senate and all of the seats of the Delaware House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

Delaware Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 1413Decrease2.svg 1
Republican 78Increase2.svg 1
Total2121
Delaware House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2627Increase2.svg 1
Republican 1514Decrease2.svg 1
Total4141

Florida

All of the seats of the Florida Senate and all of the seats of the Florida House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

Florida Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2826Decrease2.svg 2
Democratic 1214Increase2.svg 2
Total4040
Florida House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 8176Decrease2.svg 5
Democratic 3944Increase2.svg 5
Total120120

Georgia

All of the seats of the Georgia State Senate and the Georgia House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

Georgia State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3638Increase2.svg 2
Democratic 2018Decrease2.svg 2
Total5656
Georgia House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 116119Increase2.svg 3
Democratic 6360Decrease2.svg 3
Independent11Steady2.svg
Total180180

Hawaii

All of the seats of the Hawaii Senate and all of the seats of the Hawaii House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

Hawaii Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2424Steady2.svg
Republican 11Steady2.svg
Total2525
Hawaii House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 4344Increase2.svg 1
Republican 87Decrease2.svg 1
Total5151

Idaho

All of the seats of the Idaho Senate and the Idaho House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

Idaho Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2829Increase2.svg 1
Democratic 76Decrease2.svg 1
Total3535
Idaho House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 5757Steady2.svg
Democratic 1313Steady2.svg
Total7070

Illinois

All of the seats of the Illinois Senate and all of the seats of the Illinois House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of both chambers to maintain a trifecta.

Illinois Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 3540Increase2.svg 5
Republican 2419Decrease2.svg 5
Total5959
Illinois House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 6471Increase2.svg 7
Republican 5447Decrease2.svg 7
Total118118

Indiana

Half of the seats of the Indiana Senate and all of the seats of the Indiana House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

Indiana Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3737Steady2.svg
Democratic 1313Steady2.svg
Total5050
Indiana House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 6069Increase2.svg 9
Democratic 4031Decrease2.svg 9
Total100100

Iowa

Half of the seats of the Iowa Senate and all of the seats of the Iowa House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of the state House, and Democrats held control of the state Senate.

Iowa Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2626Steady2.svg
Republican 2424Steady2.svg
Total5050
Iowa House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 6053Decrease2.svg 7
Democratic 4047Increase2.svg 7
Total100100

Kansas

All of the seats of the Kansas Senate and the Kansas House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers and maintained a trifecta.

Kansas Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3232Steady2.svg
Democratic 88Steady2.svg
Total4040
Kansas House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 9292Steady2.svg
Democratic 3333Steady2.svg
Total125125

Kentucky

Half of the seats of the Kentucky Senate and all of the seats of the Kentucky House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of the state Senate, and Democrats held control of the state House.

Kentucky Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2223Increase2.svg 1
Democratic 1514Decrease2.svg 1
Independent11Steady2.svg
Total3838
Kentucky House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 5955Decrease2.svg 4
Republican 4145Increase2.svg 4
Total100100

Maine

All of the seats of the Maine Senate and the Maine House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats won control of both houses, ending a Republican trifecta.

Maine Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 1119Increase2.svg 5
Republican 2015Decrease2.svg 5
Independent 11Steady2.svg
Total3535
Maine House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 7289Increase2.svg 17
Republican 7858Decrease2.svg 20
Independent 14Increase2.svg 3
Total151151

Massachusetts

All of the seats of the Massachusetts Senate and the Massachusetts House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats retained control of both chambers to maintain a trifecta.

Massachusetts Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 3636Steady2.svg
Republican 44Steady2.svg
Total4040
Massachusetts House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 127131Increase2.svg 4
Republican 3329Decrease2.svg 4
Total160160

Michigan

All of the seats of the Michigan House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. The Michigan Senate did not hold regularly scheduled elections in 2012. Republicans maintained control of the chamber.

Michigan House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 6359Decrease2.svg 4
Democratic 4751Increase2.svg 4
Total110110

Minnesota

All of the seats of the Minnesota Senate and the Minnesota House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats won control of both chambers, thereby establishing a trifecta.

Minnesota Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3039Increase2.svg 9
Democratic (DFL) 3728Decrease2.svg 9
Total6767
Minnesota House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic (DFL) 6273Increase2.svg 11
Republican 7261Decrease2.svg 11
Total134134

Missouri

Half of the seats of the Missouri Senate and all of the seats of the Missouri House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers.

Missouri Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2624Decrease2.svg 2
Democratic 810Increase2.svg 2
Total3434
Missouri House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 106110Increase2.svg 4
Democratic 5653Decrease2.svg 3
Independent 10Decrease2.svg 1
Total163163

Montana

Half of the seats of the Montana Senate and all of the seats of the Montana House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers.

Montana Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2727Steady2.svg
Democratic 2323Steady2.svg
Total5050
Montana House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 6861Decrease2.svg 7
Democratic 3239Increase2.svg 7
Total100100

Nebraska

Nebraska is the only U.S. state with a unicameral legislature; half of the seats of the Nebraska Legislature were up for election in 2012. 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.

Nevada

Half of the seats of the Nevada Senate and all of the seats of the Nevada Assembly were up for election in 2012. Democrats maintained control of both chambers.

Nevada Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 1111Steady2.svg
Republican 1010Steady2.svg
Total2121
Nevada Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2627Increase2.svg 1
Republican 1615Decrease2.svg 1
Total4242

New Hampshire

All of the seats of the New Hampshire Senate and the New Hampshire House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans maintained control of the state Senate, and Democrats won control of the state House.

New Hampshire Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 1913Decrease2.svg 6
Democratic 511Increase2.svg 6
Total2424
New Hampshire House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 103221Increase2.svg 118
Republican 288179Decrease2.svg 109
Total400400

New Mexico

All of the seats of the New Mexico Senate and the New Mexico House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of both chambers.

New Mexico Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2825Decrease2.svg 3
Republican 1417Increase2.svg 3
Total4242
New Mexico House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 3638Increase2.svg 2
Republican 3332Decrease2.svg 1
Independent 10Decrease2.svg 1
Total7070

New York

All of the seats of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of the state House, and Republicans lost control of the state Senate and thus entered into a coalition government with the Independent Democratic Conference.

New York State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3330Decrease2.svg 3
Democratic 4 [i] 6 [j] Increase2.svg 2
2527Increase2.svg 2
Total6263
New York State Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 100105Increase2.svg 5
Republican 4944Decrease2.svg 5
Independence 11Steady2.svg
Total150150

North Carolina

All of the seats of the North Carolina Senate and the North Carolina House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers.

North Carolina Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3132Increase2.svg 1
Democratic 1918Decrease2.svg 1
Total5050
North Carolina House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 6877Increase2.svg 9
Democratic 5243Decrease2.svg 9
Total120120

North Dakota

Half of the seats of the North Dakota Senate and the North Dakota House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

North Dakota Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3533Decrease2.svg 2
Democratic-NPL 1214Increase2.svg 2
Total4747
North Dakota House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 6971Increase2.svg 2
Democratic-NPL 2523Decrease2.svg 2
Total9494

Ohio

Half of the seats of the Ohio Senate and all of the seats of the Ohio House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

Ohio Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2323Steady2.svg
Democratic 1010Steady2.svg
Total3333
Ohio House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 5960Increase2.svg 1
Democratic 4039Decrease2.svg 1
Total9999

Oklahoma

Half of the seats of the Oklahoma Senate and all of the seats of the Oklahoma House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

Oklahoma Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3236Increase2.svg 4
Democratic 1612Decrease2.svg 4
Total4848
Oklahoma House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 7072Increase2.svg 2
Democratic 3129Decrease2.svg 2
Total101101

Oregon

Half of the seats of the Oregon State Senate and all of the seats of the Oregon House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats retained control of the state Senate, and ended the tie in the state House, thus establishing a government trifecta.

Oregon State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 1616Steady2.svg
Republican 1414Steady2.svg
Total3030
Oregon House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 3034Increase2.svg 4
Republican 3026Decrease2.svg 4
Total6060

Pennsylvania

Half of the seats of the Pennsylvania State Senate and all of the seats of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers and their government trifecta.

Pennsylvania State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3027Decrease2.svg 3
Democratic 2023Increase2.svg 3
Total5050
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 111111Steady2.svg
Democratic 9292Steady2.svg
Total203203

Rhode Island

All of the seats of the Rhode Island Senate and the Rhode Island House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats retained control of both chambers.

Rhode Island Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2932Increase2.svg 3
Republican 85Decrease2.svg 3
Independent 11Steady2.svg
Total3838
Rhode Island House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 6569Increase2.svg 4
Republican 96Decrease2.svg 3
Libertarian 10Decrease2.svg 1
Total7575

South Carolina

All of the seats of the South Carolina Senate and the South Carolina House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

South Carolina Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2728Increase2.svg 1
Democratic 1918Decrease2.svg 1
Total4646
South Carolina House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 7678Increase2.svg 2
Democratic 4846Decrease2.svg 2
Total124124

South Dakota

All of the seats of the South Dakota Senate and the South Dakota House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

South Dakota Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3028Decrease2.svg 2
Democratic 57Increase2.svg 2
Total3535
South Dakota House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 5053Increase2.svg 3
Democratic 1917Decrease2.svg 2
Independent 10Decrease2.svg 1
Total7070

Tennessee

Half of the seats of the Tennessee Senate and all of the seats of the Tennessee House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

Tennessee Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2026Increase2.svg 6
Democratic 137Decrease2.svg 6
Total3333
Tennessee House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 6471Increase2.svg 7
Democratic 3427Decrease2.svg 7
Independent Republican 11Steady2.svg
Total9999

Texas

All of the seats in the Texas Legislature were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta, but they lost their supermajority in the House.

Texas Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 1919Steady2.svg
Democratic 1212Steady2.svg
Total3131
Texas House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 10295Decrease2.svg 7
Democratic 4855Increase2.svg 7
Total150150

Utah

Half of the seats of the Utah State Senate and all of the seats of the Utah House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

Utah State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2224Increase2.svg 2
Democratic 75Decrease2.svg 2
Total2929
Utah House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 5861Increase2.svg 3
Democratic 1714Decrease2.svg 3
Total7575

Vermont

All of the seats of the Vermont Senate and the Vermont House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats retained control of both chambers.

Vermont Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2121Steady2.svg
Republican 87Decrease2.svg 1
Progressive 12Increase2.svg 1
Total3030
Vermont House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 9496Increase2.svg 2
Republican 4845Decrease2.svg 3
Progressive 55Steady2.svg
Independent 34Increase2.svg 1
Total150150

Washington

Half of the seats of the Washington State Senate and all of the seats of the Washington House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats retained control of the state House, while Republicans won control of the state Senate with the help of two Democrats who formed a coalition with them.

Washington State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2223 [k] Increase2.svg 1
Democratic 272Decrease2.svg 1
24
Total4949
Washington House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 5655Decrease2.svg 1
Republican 4243Increase2.svg 1
Total9898

West Virginia

Half of the seats of the West Virginia Senate and all of the seats of the West Virginia House of Delegates were up for election in 2012. Democrats retained control of both chambers.

West Virginia Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2825Decrease2.svg 3
Republican 69Increase2.svg 3
Total3434
West Virginia House of Delegates
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 6554Decrease2.svg 11
Republican 3546Increase2.svg 11
Total100100

Wisconsin

Half of the seats of the Wisconsin Senate and all of the seats of the Wisconsin State Assembly were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of the state Assembly, and won control of the state Senate after having lost control through a series of recall elections earlier in the year, thereby recreating a Republican trifecta.

Wisconsin Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 1618Increase2.svg 2
Democratic 1715Decrease2.svg 2
Total3333
Wisconsin State Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 5960Increase2.svg 1
Democratic 3939Steady2.svg
Independent 10Decrease2.svg 1
Total9999

Wyoming

Half of the seats of the Wyoming Senate and all of the seats of the Wyoming House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

Wyoming Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2626Steady2.svg
Democratic 44Steady2.svg
Total3030
Wyoming House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 5052Increase2.svg 2
Democratic 108Decrease2.svg 2
Total6060

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
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 99Steady2.svg
Republican 66Steady2.svg
Total1515

Northern Mariana Islands

A portion of the seats of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate, and all of the seats of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives, were up for election. Members of the senate serve either four-year terms, while members of the house serve two-year terms. Republicans maintained control of the upper house, and Independents won control of the lower house.

Northern Mariana Islands Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 55Steady2.svg
Independent 44Steady2.svg
Democratic 00Steady2.svg
Total99
Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 94Decrease2.svg 5
Democratic 00Steady2.svg
Independent 412Increase2.svg 8
Covenant 74Decrease2.svg 3
Total2020

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 lost control of both chambers, to the Popular Democratic Party.

Puerto Rico Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Popular Democratic 918Increase2.svg 9
New Progressive 228Decrease2.svg 14
Puerto Rican Independence 01Increase2.svg 1
Total3127
Puerto Rico House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Popular Democratic 1728Increase2.svg 11
New Progressive 3723Decrease2.svg 14
Total5451

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
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 1010Steady2.svg
Independent 55Steady2.svg
Total1515

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
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 1111Steady2.svg
Independent 22Steady2.svg
Total1313

See also

Notes

  1. Democratic control of the Wisconsin Senate was the result of recall efforts in 2011 and earlier in 2012.
  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 New York Senate was controlled by a coalition of Republicans and members of the Independent Democratic Conference
  4. In the Washington State Senate, two Democrats caucused with Republicans to form the Majority Coalition Caucus. Three additional Democrats also caucus with the majority.
  5. The Oregon House of Representatives was tied in the 2011-2013 session, but Democrats gained control in the 2012 elections. This chamber was not counted in the previous total.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The upper houses of Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Texas use a 2-4-4 term length system.
  7. 1 2 3 These figures represent the seats of Nebraska's unicameral legislature.
  8. Includes the 2011 and 2012 recall elections that flipped 3 seats to Democrats, winning them control of the chamber from the Republicans
  9. 4 members of the Independent Democratic Caucus.
  10. 5 members of the Independent Democratic Caucus as well as Democrat Simcha Felder.
  11. Two Democrats caucused with the Republicans to give them a majority.

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References

  1. John Celock (November 7, 2012). "State Legislative Elections: Democrats Gain Control Of Eight Chambers". Huffington Post. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 "2020 Legislative Races by State and Legislative Chamber". National Conference of State Legislatures.
  3. 1 2 "2022 Midterm Elections by Redistricting Control". The American Redistricting Project. 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  4. Gibson, Keegan (2013-05-08). "Breaking: Supreme Court Upholds New Pa. House & Senate Lines". PoliticsPA. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  5. 1 2 Daigneau, Elizabeth; Jacobson, Louis (2012-10-23). "The Latest Chamber-by-Chamber Analysis of the 2012 State Legislative Elections". Governing. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  6. Zinser, Lynne (7 November 2012). "A Former Globetrotter Wins Election by Globetrotter-Like Margin". New York Times. Retrieved 9 November 2012.