Election could tip historic number of legislatures into Republican hands

The Washington Post ^ | october 29, 2014 | Reid Wilson

[Clintonfatigued]

Republicans have the opportunity to take control of a record number of state legislative chambers across the country this year, as Democrats play defense in unfavorable terrain.

The Republican landslide in 2010 and the subsequent redistricting process in 2012 gave the GOP control of a nearly unprecedented number of legislative chambers. Today, the party controls 59 of the 98 partisan chambers in 49 states, while Democrats control only 39 chambers (One legislature, Nebraska’s is officially nonpartisan).

Once election results are tabulated in the 6,049 legislative races on the ballot in 46 states this year, Republicans could find themselves running even more.

If Iowa Democrats can’t hang on to control of the state Senate, Gov. Terry Branstad (R) will be freer to pursue an ambitious agenda. If Arkansas Republicans keep control of the state House and win the governor’s mansion, the future of that state’s unique approach to Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act is at risk. In Kentucky, Sen. Rand Paul (R) could take advantage of a Republican state legislature to change a law that prevents him from running for president and re-election to the U.S. Senate at the same time.

[ExCTCitizen]

I hope the bench for the R will be deep...lots of Conservatives thinkers...the states need to reform their government, too.

[ExCTCitizen]

I heard that CT senate might switch to R...I would love those that...

[Impy]

Pete? CT Senate, for the first time since 1994? Could it happen?

I hope we get the Maine leg back. NH House should be returning.

[ExCTCitizen]

I was talking in the UConn athletic forum and someone said it might happen. I hope so.. Tom Foley and a R senate...can we get CT citizens to have MORE money to spend on themselves...

[txhurl]

I feel uneasy, like I did during the heady days of Romney’s favorable polls.

---

Me, too. I feel what the electorate feels, supported by polls, but like ‘12, there was the fraud that even caught experienced pollsters, pundits and actual Candidates off guard.

[Impy]

I’d keep in mind, even as SOME polls were good for us in 2012, many polls were NOT and the lib media harped that pro-GOP polls were flawed cause they underestimated scumbag turnout.

This time they seem to be running around like scared chickens, Obama’s scumbags showed up in ‘08 and ‘12 but not ‘10.

[GOPsterinMA]

Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton!

http://theweek.com/article/index/270955/speedreads-republican-tom-cotton-opens-huge-lead-in-arkansas-senate-race

Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton! Tom “Pickin’” Cotton!