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.
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86 legislative chambers 44 states | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Map of lower house elections: Democrats gained control Democrats retained control Republicans gained control Republicans retained control Non-partisan legislature No regularly-scheduled elections |
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
editRegularly-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.
State | Upper House[2] | Lower House[2] | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seats up | Total | % up | Term | Seats up | Total | % up | Term | |
Alaska | 19 | 20 | 95 | 4 | 40 | 40 | 100 | 2 |
Arizona | 30 | 30 | 100 | 2 | 60 | 60 | 100 | 2 |
Arkansas | 35 | 35 | 100 | 2/4[f] | 100 | 100 | 100 | 2 |
California | 20 | 40 | 50 | 4 | 80 | 80 | 100 | 2 |
Colorado | 18 | 35 | 51 | 4 | 65 | 65 | 100 | 2 |
Connecticut | 36 | 36 | 100 | 2 | 151 | 151 | 100 | 2 |
Delaware | 21 | 21 | 100 | 2/4[f] | 41 | 41 | 100 | 2 |
Florida | 40 | 40 | 100 | 2/4[f] | 120 | 120 | 100 | 2 |
Georgia | 56 | 56 | 100 | 2 | 180 | 180 | 100 | 2 |
Hawaii | 25 | 25 | 100 | 2/4[f] | 51 | 51 | 100 | 2 |
Idaho | 35 | 35 | 100 | 2 | 70 | 70 | 100 | 2 |
Illinois | 59 | 59 | 100 | 2/4[f] | 118 | 118 | 100 | 2 |
Indiana | 25 | 50 | 50 | 4 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 2 |
Iowa | 25 | 50 | 50 | 4 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 2 |
Kansas | 40 | 40 | 100 | 4 | 125 | 125 | 100 | 2 |
Kentucky | 19 | 38 | 50 | 4 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 2 |
Louisiana | 0 | 39 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 105 | 0 | 4 |
Maine | 35 | 35 | 100 | 2 | 151 | 151 | 100 | 2 |
Maryland | 0 | 47 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 141 | 0 | 4 |
Massachusetts | 40 | 40 | 100 | 2 | 160 | 160 | 100 | 2 |
Michigan | 0 | 38 | 0 | 4 | 110 | 110 | 100 | 2 |
Minnesota | 67 | 67 | 100 | 2/4[f] | 134 | 134 | 100 | 2 |
Mississippi | 0 | 52 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 122 | 0 | 4 |
Missouri | 17 | 34 | 50 | 4 | 163 | 163 | 100 | 2 |
Montana | 25 | 50 | 50 | 4 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 2 |
Nebraska | 25[g] | 49[g] | 51[g] | 4 | N/A (unicameral) | |||
Nevada | 10 | 21 | 48 | 4 | 42 | 42 | 100 | 2 |
New Hampshire | 24 | 24 | 100 | 2 | 400 | 400 | 100 | 2 |
New Jersey | 0 | 40 | 0 | 2/4[f] | 0 | 80 | 0 | 2 |
New Mexico | 42 | 42 | 100 | 4 | 70 | 70 | 100 | 2 |
New York | 63 | 63 | 100 | 2 | 150 | 150 | 100 | 2 |
North Carolina | 50 | 50 | 100 | 2 | 120 | 120 | 100 | 2 |
North Dakota | 23 | 47 | 49 | 4 | 47 | 94 | 50 | 4 |
Ohio | 16 | 33 | 48 | 4 | 99 | 99 | 100 | 2 |
Oklahoma | 24 | 48 | 50 | 4 | 101 | 101 | 100 | 2 |
Oregon | 15 | 30 | 50 | 4 | 60 | 60 | 100 | 2 |
Pennsylvania | 25 | 50 | 50 | 4 | 203 | 203 | 100 | 2 |
Rhode Island | 38 | 38 | 100 | 2 | 75 | 75 | 100 | 2 |
South Carolina | 46 | 46 | 100 | 4 | 124 | 124 | 100 | 2 |
South Dakota | 35 | 35 | 100 | 2 | 70 | 70 | 100 | 2 |
Tennessee | 16 | 33 | 48 | 4 | 99 | 99 | 100 | 2 |
Texas | 16 | 31 | 52 | 2/4[f] | 150 | 150 | 100 | 2 |
Utah | 15 | 29 | 52 | 4 | 75 | 75 | 100 | 2 |
Vermont | 30 | 30 | 100 | 2 | 150 | 150 | 100 | 2 |
Virginia | 0 | 40 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 2 |
Washington | 25 | 49 | 51 | 4 | 98 | 98 | 100 | 2 |
West Virginia | 17 | 34 | 50 | 4 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 2 |
Wisconsin | 16 | 33 | 48 | 4 | 99 | 99 | 100 | 2 |
Wyoming | 15 | 30 | 50 | 4 | 60 | 60 | 100 | 2 |
Total | 1281 | 1972 | 65 | N/A | 4595 | 5411 | 85 | N/A |
Electoral predictions
editAnalysts 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.[3]
Ratings are designated as follows:
- "Tossup": Competitive, no advantage
- "Lean": Competitive, slight advantage
- "Likely": Not competitive, but opposition could make significant gains
- "Safe": Not competitive at all
State | Chamber | Last
election |
Governing
Oct. 24, 2012[3] |
Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alaska | Senate | Coal. 15–5 | Lean R (flip) | R 13–7 |
House of Representatives | R 24–16 | Safe R | R 26–14 | |
Arizona | Senate | R 21–9 | Likely R | R 17–13 |
House of Representatives | R 40–20 | Likely R | R 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 D | D 29–11 |
State Assembly | D 52–28 | Safe D | D 56–24 | |
Colorado | Senate | D 20–15 | Lean D | D 20–15 |
House of Representatives | R 33–32 | Lean D (flip) | D 37–28 | |
Connecticut | State Senate | D 23–13 | Safe D | D 22–14 |
House of Representatives | D 99–52 | Safe D | D 98–53 | |
Delaware | Senate | D 14–7 | Safe D | D 13–8 |
House of Representatives | D 26–15 | Safe D | D 27–14 | |
Florida | Senate | R 28–12 | Likely R | R 26–14 |
House of Representatives | R 81–39 | Likely R | R 76–44 | |
Georgia | State Senate | R 35–21 | Safe R | R 38–18 |
House of Representatives | R 108–71–1 | Safe R | R 119–60–1 | |
Hawaii | Senate | D 24–1 | Safe D | D 24–1 |
House of Representatives | D 43–8 | Safe D | D 44–7 | |
Idaho | Senate | R 28–7 | Safe R | R 29–6 |
House of Representatives | R 57–13 | Safe R | R 57–13 | |
Illinois | Senate | D 34–25 | Safe D | D 40–19 |
House of Representatives | D 64–54 | Safe D | D 71–47 | |
Indiana | Senate | R 36–14 | Safe R | R 37–13 |
House of Representatives | R 60–40 | Safe R | R 69–31 | |
Iowa | Senate | D 26–24 | Tossup | D 26–24 |
House of Representatives | R 60–40 | Likely R | R 53–47 | |
Kansas | Senate | R 31–9 | Safe R | R 32–8 |
House of Representatives | R 92–33 | Safe R | R 92–33 | |
Kentucky | Senate | R 22–15–1 | Safe R | R 23–14–1 |
House of Representatives | D 58–42 | Lean D | D 55–45 | |
Maine | Senate | R 20–14–1 | Lean R | D 19–15–1 |
House of Representatives | R 78–72–1 | Lean D (flip) | D 89–58–4 | |
Massachusetts | Senate | D 36–4 | Safe D | D 36–4 |
House of Representatives | D 130–30 | Safe D | D 131–29 | |
Michigan | House of Representatives | R 63–47 | Lean R | R 59–51 |
Minnesota | Senate | R 37–30 | Tossup | D 39–28 |
House of Representatives | R 72–62 | Tossup | D 73–61 | |
Missouri | Senate | R 26–8 | Safe R | R 24–10 |
House of Representatives | R 105–58 | Safe R | R 110–53 | |
Montana | Senate | R 28–22 | Safe R | R 27–23 |
House of Representatives | R 68–32 | Safe R | R 61–39 | |
Nevada | Senate | D 11–10 | Tossup | D 11–10 |
Assembly | D 26–16 | Lean D | D 27–15 | |
New Hampshire | Senate | R 19–5 | Lean R | R 13–11 |
House of Representatives | R 298–102 | Lean R | D 221–179 | |
New Mexico | Senate | D 27–15 | Likely D | D 25–17 |
House of Representatives | D 36–34 | Lean D | D 38–32 | |
New York | State Senate | R 32–30 | Tossup | Coal. 36–27 |
State Assembly | D 99–50–1 | Safe D | D 105–44–1 | |
North Carolina | Senate | R 31–19 | Likely R | R 32–18 |
House of Representatives | R 67–52–1 | Likely R | R 77–43 | |
North Dakota | Senate | R 35–12 | Safe R | R 33–14 |
House of Representatives | R 69–25 | Safe R | R 71–23 | |
Ohio | Senate | R 23–10 | Safe R | R 23–10 |
House of Representatives | R 59–40 | Lean R | R 60–39 | |
Oklahoma | Senate | R 32–16 | Safe R | R 36–12 |
House of Representatives | R 70–31 | Safe R | R 72–29 | |
Oregon | State Senate | D 16–14 | Lean D | D 16–14 |
House of Representatives | 30–30 | Lean D | D 34–26 | |
Pennsylvania | State Senate | R 30–20 | Likely R | R 27–23 |
House of Representatives | R 112–91 | Likely R | R 111–92 | |
Rhode Island | Senate | D 29–8–1 | Safe D | D 32–5–1 |
House of Representatives | D 65–10 | Safe D | D 69–6 | |
South Carolina | Senate | R 27–19 | Safe R | R 28–18 |
House of Representatives | R 76–48 | Safe R | R 78–46 | |
South Dakota | Senate | R 30–5 | Safe R | R 28–7 |
House of Representatives | R 50–19–1 | Safe R | R 53–17 | |
Tennessee | Senate | R 20–13 | Safe R | R 26–7 |
House of Representatives | R 64–34–1 | Safe R | R 71–27–1 | |
Texas | Senate | R 19–12 | Safe R | R 19–12 |
House of Representatives | R 99–51 | Safe R | R 95–55 | |
Utah | State Senate | R 22–7 | Safe R | R 24–5 |
House of Representatives | R 58–17 | Safe R | R 61–14 | |
Vermont | Senate | D 21–8–1 | Safe D | D 21–7–2 |
House of Representatives | D 94–48–5–3 | Safe D | D 96–45–5–4 | |
Washington | State Senate | D 27–22 | Tossup | Coal. 26–23 |
House of Representatives | D 56–42 | Likely D | D 55–43 | |
West Virginia | Senate | D 28–6 | Likely D | D 25–9 |
House of Delegates | D 65–35 | Likely D | D 54–46 | |
Wisconsin | Senate | D 17–16[h] | Lean R (flip) | R 18–15 |
State Assembly | R 60–38–1 | Likely R | R 60–39 | |
Wyoming | Senate | R 26–4 | Safe R | R 26–4 |
House of Representatives | R 50–10 | Safe R | R 52–8 |
Maps
edit-
Upper house seats by party holding majority in each state
Republican 50–60%60–70%70–80%80–90%Democratic 50–60%60–70%70–80%80–90%90–100%Tie 50% -
Lower house seats by party holding majority in each state
Republican 50–60%60–70%70–80%80–90%Democratic 50–60%60–70%70–80%80–90%90–100% -
Net changes to upper house seats after the 2012 elections
+2 Dem seats +3–5 Dem seats +6–11 Dem seats
+1 Rep seat +2 Rep seats +3–4 Rep seats +6 Rep seats
+1 Prog seat -
Net changes to lower house seats after the 2012 elections
+1 Dem seat +2 Dem seats +3–5 Dem seats +6–118 Dem seats
+1 Rep seat +2 Rep seats +3–5 Rep seats +6–11 Rep seats
State summaries
editAlaska
editMost 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 5 | 13 | 3 | |
5 | ||||
Democratic | 10 | 2 | 3 | |
5 | ||||
Total | 20 | 20 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 24 | 26 | 2 | |
Democratic | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
12 | 10 | |||
Total | 40 | 40 |
Arizona
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 21 | 17 | 4 | |
Democratic | 9 | 13 | 4 | |
Total | 30 | 30 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 40 | 36 | 4 | |
Democratic | 20 | 24 | 4 | |
Total | 60 | 60 |
Arkansas
editAll 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.[4]
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 15 | 21 | 6 | |
Democratic | 20 | 14 | 6 | |
Total | 35 | 35 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 46 | 51 | 5 | |
Democratic | 54 | 48 | 6 | |
Green | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Total | 100 | 100 |
California
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 25 | 29 | 4 | |
Republican | 15 | 11 | 4 | |
Total | 40 | 40 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 52 | 55 | 3 | |
Republican | 28 | 25 | 3 | |
Total | 80 | 80 |
Colorado
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 20 | 20 | ||
Republican | 15 | 15 | ||
Total | 35 | 35 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 32 | 37 | 5 | |
Republican | 33 | 28 | 5 | |
Total | 65 | 65 |
Connecticut
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 22 | 22 | ||
Republican | 14 | 14 | ||
Total | 36 | 36 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 99 | 98 | 1 | |
Republican | 52 | 53 | 1 | |
Total | 151 | 151 |
Delaware
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 14 | 13 | 1 | |
Republican | 7 | 8 | 1 | |
Total | 21 | 21 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 26 | 27 | 1 | |
Republican | 15 | 14 | 1 | |
Total | 41 | 41 |
Florida
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 28 | 26 | 2 | |
Democratic | 12 | 14 | 2 | |
Total | 40 | 40 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 81 | 76 | 5 | |
Democratic | 39 | 44 | 5 | |
Total | 120 | 120 |
Georgia
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 36 | 38 | 2 | |
Democratic | 20 | 18 | 2 | |
Total | 56 | 56 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 116 | 119 | 3 | |
Democratic | 63 | 60 | 3 | |
Independent | 1 | 1 | ||
Total | 180 | 180 |
Hawaii
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 24 | 24 | ||
Republican | 1 | 1 | ||
Total | 25 | 25 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 43 | 44 | 1 | |
Republican | 8 | 7 | 1 | |
Total | 51 | 51 |
Idaho
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 28 | 29 | 1 | |
Democratic | 7 | 6 | 1 | |
Total | 35 | 35 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 57 | 57 | ||
Democratic | 13 | 13 | ||
Total | 70 | 70 |
Illinois
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 35 | 40 | 5 | |
Republican | 24 | 19 | 5 | |
Total | 59 | 59 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 64 | 71 | 7 | |
Republican | 54 | 47 | 7 | |
Total | 118 | 118 |
Indiana
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 37 | 37 | ||
Democratic | 13 | 13 | ||
Total | 50 | 50 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 60 | 69 | 9 | |
Democratic | 40 | 31 | 9 | |
Total | 100 | 100 |
Iowa
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 24 | 24 | ||
Democratic | 26 | 26 | ||
Total | 50 | 50 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 60 | 53 | 7 | |
Democratic | 40 | 47 | 7 | |
Total | 100 | 100 |
Kansas
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 32 | 32 | ||
Democratic | 8 | 8 | ||
Total | 40 | 40 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 92 | 92 | ||
Democratic | 33 | 33 | ||
Total | 125 | 125 |
Kentucky
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 22 | 23 | 1 | |
Democratic | 15 | 14 | 1 | |
Independent | 1 | 1 | ||
Total | 38 | 38 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 41 | 45 | 4 | |
Democratic | 59 | 55 | 4 | |
Total | 100 | 100 |
Maine
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 11 | 19 | 5 | |
Republican | 20 | 15 | 5 | |
Independent | 1 | 1 | ||
Total | 35 | 35 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 72 | 89 | 17 | |
Republican | 78 | 58 | 20 | |
Independent | 1 | 4 | 3 | |
Total | 151 | 151 |
Massachusetts
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 36 | 36 | ||
Republican | 4 | 4 | ||
Total | 40 | 40 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 127 | 131 | 4 | |
Republican | 33 | 29 | 4 | |
Total | 160 | 160 |
Michigan
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 63 | 59 | 4 | |
Democratic | 47 | 51 | 4 | |
Total | 110 | 110 |
Minnesota
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 30 | 39 | 9 | |
Democratic (DFL) | 37 | 28 | 9 | |
Total | 67 | 67 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic (DFL) | 62 | 73 | 11 | |
Republican | 72 | 61 | 11 | |
Total | 134 | 134 |
Missouri
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 26 | 24 | 2 | |
Democratic | 8 | 10 | 2 | |
Total | 34 | 34 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 106 | 110 | 4 | |
Democratic | 56 | 53 | 3 | |
Independent | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
Total | 163 | 163 |
Montana
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 27 | 27 | ||
Democratic | 23 | 23 | ||
Total | 50 | 50 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 68 | 61 | 7 | |
Democratic | 32 | 39 | 7 | |
Total | 100 | 100 |
Nebraska
editNebraska 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
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 11 | 11 | ||
Republican | 10 | 10 | ||
Total | 21 | 21 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 26 | 27 | 1 | |
Republican | 16 | 15 | 1 | |
Total | 42 | 42 |
New Hampshire
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 19 | 13 | 6 | |
Democratic | 5 | 11 | 6 | |
Total | 24 | 24 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 288 | 179 | 109 | |
Democratic | 103 | 221 | 118 | |
Total | 400 | 400 |
New Mexico
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 28 | 25 | 3 | |
Republican | 14 | 17 | 3 | |
Total | 42 | 42 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 36 | 38 | 2 | |
Republican | 33 | 32 | 1 | |
Independent | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
Total | 70 | 70 |
New York
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 33 | 30 | 3 | |
Democratic | 4[i] | 6[j] | 2 | |
25 | 27 | 2 | ||
Total | 62 | 63 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 100 | 105 | 5 | |
Republican | 49 | 44 | 5 | |
Independence | 1 | 1 | ||
Total | 150 | 150 |
North Carolina
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 31 | 32 | 1 | |
Democratic | 19 | 18 | 1 | |
Total | 50 | 50 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 68 | 77 | 9 | |
Democratic | 52 | 43 | 9 | |
Total | 120 | 120 |
North Dakota
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 35 | 33 | 2 | |
Democratic-NPL | 12 | 14 | 2 | |
Total | 47 | 47 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 69 | 71 | 2 | |
Democratic-NPL | 25 | 23 | 2 | |
Total | 94 | 94 |
Ohio
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 23 | 23 | ||
Democratic | 10 | 10 | ||
Total | 33 | 33 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 59 | 60 | 1 | |
Democratic | 40 | 39 | 1 | |
Total | 99 | 99 |
Oklahoma
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 32 | 36 | 4 | |
Democratic | 16 | 12 | 4 | |
Total | 48 | 48 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 70 | 72 | 2 | |
Democratic | 31 | 29 | 2 | |
Total | 101 | 101 |
Oregon
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 16 | 16 | ||
Republican | 14 | 14 | ||
Total | 30 | 30 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 30 | 34 | 4 | |
Republican | 30 | 26 | 4 | |
Total | 60 | 60 |
Pennsylvania
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 30 | 27 | 3 | |
Democratic | 20 | 23 | 3 | |
Total | 50 | 50 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 111 | 111 | ||
Democratic | 92 | 92 | ||
Total | 203 | 203 |
Rhode Island
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 29 | 32 | 3 | |
Republican | 8 | 5 | 3 | |
Independent | 1 | 1 | ||
Total | 38 | 38 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 65 | 69 | 4 | |
Republican | 9 | 6 | 3 | |
Libertarian | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
Total | 75 | 75 |
South Carolina
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 27 | 28 | 1 | |
Democratic | 19 | 18 | 1 | |
Total | 46 | 46 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 76 | 78 | 2 | |
Democratic | 48 | 46 | 2 | |
Total | 123 | 123 |
South Dakota
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 30 | 28 | 2 | |
Democratic | 5 | 7 | 2 | |
Total | 35 | 35 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 50 | 53 | 3 | |
Democratic | 19 | 17 | 2 | |
Independent | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
Total | 70 | 70 |
Tennessee
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 20 | 26 | 6 | |
Democratic | 13 | 7 | 6 | |
Total | 33 | 33 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 64 | 71 | 7 | |
Democratic | 34 | 27 | 7 | |
Independent Republican | 1 | 1 | ||
Total | 99 | 99 |
Texas
editHalf of the seats of the Texas Senate and all of the seats of the Texas House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 19 | 19 | ||
Democratic | 12 | 12 | ||
Total | 31 | 31 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 102 | 95 | 7 | |
Democratic | 48 | 55 | 7 | |
Total | 150 | 150 |
Utah
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 22 | 24 | 2 | |
Democratic | 7 | 5 | 2 | |
Total | 29 | 29 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 58 | 61 | 3 | |
Democratic | 17 | 14 | 3 | |
Total | 75 | 75 |
Vermont
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 21 | 21 | ||
Republican | 8 | 7 | 1 | |
Progressive | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
Total | 30 | 30 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 94 | 96 | 2 | |
Republican | 48 | 45 | 3 | |
Progressive | 5 | 5 | ||
Independent | 3 | 4 | 1 | |
Total | 150 | 150 |
Washington
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 22 | 23[k] | 1 | |
Democratic | 27 | 2 | 1 | |
24 | ||||
Total | 49 | 49 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 56 | 55 | 1 | |
Republican | 42 | 43 | 1 | |
Total | 98 | 98 |
West Virginia
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 6 | 9 | 3 | |
Democratic | 28 | 25 | 3 | |
Total | 34 | 34 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 35 | 46 | 11 | |
Democratic | 65 | 54 | 11 | |
Total | 100 | 100 |
Wisconsin
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 16 | 18 | 2 | |
Democratic | 17 | 15 | 2 | |
Total | 33 | 33 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 59 | 60 | 1 | |
Democratic | 39 | 39 | ||
Independent | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
Total | 99 | 99 |
Wyoming
editHalf 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 26 | 26 | ||
Democratic | 4 | 4 | ||
Total | 30 | 30 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 50 | 52 | 2 | |
Democratic | 10 | 8 | 2 | |
Total | 60 | 60 |
Territorial and federal district summaries
editAmerican Samoa
editAll 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
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 9 | 9 | ||
Republican | 6 | 6 | ||
Total | 15 | 15 |
Northern Mariana Islands
editA 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 5 | 5 | ||
Independent | 4 | 4 | ||
Democratic | 0 | 0 | ||
Total | 9 | 9 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 9 | 4 | 5 | |
Democratic | 0 | 0 | ||
Independent | 4 | 12 | 8 | |
Covenant | 7 | 4 | 3 | |
Total | 20 | 20 |
Puerto Rico
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Popular Democratic | 9 | 18 | 9 | |
New Progressive | 22 | 8 | 14 | |
Puerto Rican Independence | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Total | 31 | 27 |
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Popular Democratic | 17 | 28 | 11 | |
New Progressive | 37 | 23 | 14 | |
Total | 54 | 51 |
U.S. Virgin Islands
editAll 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 10 | 10 | ||
Independent | 5 | 5 | ||
Total | 15 | 15 |
Washington, D.C.
editThe 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.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 11 | 11 | ||
Independent | 2 | 2 | ||
Total | 13 | 13 |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Democratic control of the Wisconsin Senate was the result of recall efforts in 2011 and earlier in 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ The New York Senate was controlled by a coalition of Republicans and members of the Independent Democratic Conference
- ^ In the Washington State Senate, two Democrats caucused with Republicans to form the Majority Coalition Caucus. Three additional Democrats also caucus with the majority.
- ^ a b c d e f g h The upper houses of Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Texas use a 2-4-4 term length system.
- ^ a b c These figures represent the seats of Nebraska's unicameral legislature.
- ^ Includes the 2011 and 2012 recall elections that flipped 3 seats to Democrats, winning them control of the chamber from the Republicans
- ^ 4 members of the Independent Democratic Caucus.
- ^ 5 members of the Independent Democratic Caucus as well as Democrat Simcha Felder.
- ^ Two Democrats caucused with the Republicans to give them a majority.
References
edit- ^ John Celock (November 7, 2012). "State Legislative Elections: Democrats Gain Control Of Eight Chambers". Huffington Post. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
- ^ a b c "2020 Legislative Races by State and Legislative Chamber". National Conference of State Legislatures.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Zinser, Lynne (7 November 2012). "A Former Globetrotter Wins Election by Globetrotter-Like Margin". New York Times. Retrieved 9 November 2012.