The Enduring Republican Grip on State Legislatures

Realclearpolitics.com ^ | 11/16/21 | Lou Cannon

[cotton1706]

Democrats lost more than a governorship in this month’s election, which cemented the party’s status as a persistent loser in state legislative elections.

The headline story in Virginia was the defeat of former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe by Republican businessman Glenn Youngkin, but Republicans also gained control of the House of Delegates, the lower chamber of the Virginia legislature. With that victory, Republicans control 62 of the nation’s 98 partisan legislative chambers compared to 36 for the Democrats. (Nebraska has a unicameral legislature that is nominally nonpartisan.)

[cotton1706]

Interesting piece.

Those at the Federal level like to pat the head of state legislatures "isn't that cute! These kids think they have legislative powers like us!"

Similar to in American Revolutionary times, when colonial laws had to get the assent of the king before they could become effective, Federal courts act in the same way, "staying" laws enacted by state legislatures, preventing them from becoming effective.

But as we saw from the full-throated PANIC when the Texas abortion law was NOT STAYED, Federal officials are worried that state legislatures will once again become preeminent bodies (most state legislatures determine House districts after all). And we saw a lot of screaming as state legislatures enacted election integrity laws. And they have also removed emergency powers from governors.

In 2020 democrats expected to gain at least ten legislative chambers. But they ended up LOSING three. And they just lost the VA house as well.

Also, state legislators are easier to remove and replace, as we saw recently in New Jersey.

Another factor, Trump has begun endorsing state legislators.

So there's a lot going on at this very powerful level.

Keep an eye out.

[ClearCase_guy]

The states should be pushing for election reform, wherever possible. We should have elections which are clearly and obviously honest and auditable. If some states did this in a very serious way, it would put pressure on states (Illinois? PA? MD? CA?) that absolutely, positively resisted the call to have honest elections.

We need to start somewhere, and if Republicans have any power at the state level, they ought to make this a priority.

But as far as I can see, it’s not a priority.

[FLT-bird]

Winning control of state legislatures enables to key things:

Enacting real election integrity laws whenever there is a Republican (non RINO) governor in those states including key swing states like Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, Michigan and Pennsylvania all of which have Republican controlled legislatures)

and

Redistricting. Democrats gerrymandered their azzes off for most of the 20th century. Payback’s a female dog. Republicans need to gerrymander congressional districts just as savagely as they possibly can for maximum partisan advantage - y’know, just like Democrats did and would if they still could.

[Badboo]

Completely useless victories. State elected Republicans are no different than the ‘Rats. They talk a good game and protect themselves through redistricting but are owned by the teachers and progs. They support rampant PC and cancel culture in education, do nothing to eliminate crime, raise taxes, let the feds rape them, and fight against term limits. No difference really. You really need a patriotic party type who chooses not to be bought off by the system and has a moral compass.

You can blame DC all you want, but the rot starts at home.

[central_va]

Repeal the 17th amendment. The republic killer amendment.

[centermass_socrates]

Winning control of state legislatures enables to key things:

---

I’m enjoying the Oklahoma National Guard giving Biden the finger. I only hope Stitt stays true.

[centermass_socrates]

Repeal the 17th amendment. The republic killer amendment.

HOOAH! That’s what I was thinking, glad you said it.

[wbarmy]

The states should be pushing for election reform

Youngkin stated and Sears seconded a full audit of all state positions from day 1. I am hoping this includes an audit of the election. There were several Democrats who demanded an audit of the ballots thinking that Youngkin would say no, just as they would have. He said yes, and they immediately shut up and didn't contest,