Obama Legacy in State Offices: A Shrinking Democratic Share

The New York Times ^ | 12 Nov 2015 | Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Michael D. Shear and Alan Blinder

[Theoria]

Young, telegenic and media-savvy, State Auditor Adam Edelen looked like a shoo-in for re-election when Democrats gathered in a horse barn here for a buffet dinner late last month. Most figured he would go on to challenge Senator Rand Paul, whose Republican presidential bid is faltering even as he seeks re-election.

Now a Paul-Edelen matchup is off the table. Kentucky Democrats, including Mr. Edelen, were trounced last week in an election that swept aside decades of their dominance over state government — and added Mr. Edelen to a growing list of Democrats across the country who have suffered painful defeats since President Obama was elected.

“In terms of governors, legislators and constitutional officers, the bench has been eviscerated during his tenure,” said Mr. Edelen, 40, who says it would be “too difficult” for him to beat Mr. Paul and plans to go back to the private sector. He called the loss of Democratic talent across the country “regrettable” and said, “It will have very long-term consequences.”

While Mr. Obama’s 2008 election helped usher in a political resurgence for Democrats, the president today presides over a shrinking party whose control of elected offices at the state and local levels has declined precipitously. In January, Republicans will occupy 32 of the nation’s governorships, 10 more than they did in 2009. Democratic losses in state legislatures under Mr. Obama rank among the worst in the last 115 years, with 816 Democratic lawmakers losing their jobs and Republican control of legislatures doubling since the president took office — more seats lost than under any president since Dwight D. Eisenhower.

[Vaquero]

Once the country is complete ruined by him, and it is on the precipice, the point will be moot

[Buckeye McFrog]

*except here in Pennsylvania where the public unions and the Philly machine can rig things pretty much anytime they want to.

[KC_Conspirator]

This is the closest thing to good news I have heard all week.

[SMGFan]

With gains in state house how well does GOP really look in terms of 2021 -2022 congressional redistricting following late 2020 reapportionment?
I guess on state level GOP will look good redrawing lines for state legislature as long as they do well in 2020 elections. But 2020 is too far away.