Historic GOP Gains in State Legislatures

National Review Online ^ | 11/03/10 | John Hood

[TonyInOhio]

Still trying to chase down results in key legislative races around the country, but at the moment it looks like this:

• Going into the 2010 elections, Democrats held 60 partisan legislative chambers and Republicans held 36, with a couple of ties.

• It looks like the GOP has picked up an astounding 20 chambers, including both houses in Alabama, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Wisconsin and additional chambers in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

• In total legislative seats, it is possible that after all the results are posted, Republicans will have won a nationwide majority.

• Republicans haven’t enjoyed this much power in state capitals since the 1920s.

[Major Matt Mason]

Yes, I think this is the biggest story of the election, and it is going mostly unstated (in the media). The statehosue shift is the real evidence that Obama got stomped last night. The GOP had better take full advantage of this opportunity.

[ntnychik]

“Let the redistricting begin!”

Elections matter. Republican state legislatures should redistrict as they see fit. The democrats will be screaming for impartial panels to come to consensus on redistricting. Republicans! Don’t fall for one of the country’s oldest tricks.

[Wuli]

O.K., I like the result, but really which is/was more “dramatic”, the Democrat’s majority in 60 houses within the states legislatures, over the GOPs 36, a Dim margin of 24, or the new GOP advantage in 56 of those houses over the Dims advantage in 40 - a GOP margin of 16 (1/3 less than the Dim’s margin had been).

I am not trying to rain on the parade, but it is not particularly good to feel a whole lot better than is actually warranted. The GOP must not get comfortable and waste this “advantage”; it must work vigorously to add to it in the next round, not give back some.

[potlatch]

I hope the Republicans don’t turn into quivvering mounds of jello and not do all the things they’ve been threatening to do. I’m pretty sure they know they will hear a huge outcry if they do.

[ntnychik]

Trent Lott, Bob Dole and in-office RINOS want business as usual. McConnell was saying all the right things today. I hope Rand Paul’s win in his own state got his attention.

[potlatch]

I do too. Awhile back I recall a Pub Congressman talking about any incoming Tea Party noobies after the election and he said something to the effect of “we'll take care of them”. What ever his words were, he meant that if the Tea Partier’s tried to speak up, they would ‘tamp’ them down.

So - I'm hoping these people don't lose their GRIT!

Enjoyed seeing you. I'm heading to bed. Night.

[KC_Conspirator]

Got stomped in VA elections as well.