2008 United States state legislative elections explained

Election Name:2008 United States state legislative elections
Country:United States
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2007 United States state legislative elections
Previous Year:2007
Next Election:2009 United States state legislative elections
Next Year:2009
Seats For Election:85 legislative chambers in 44 states
Election Date:November 4, 2008
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Map Size:320px
Map2 Image:US2008statelowerhouses.svg
Map2 Size:320px
Map2 Caption:Map of lower house elections:



1Data1:58
2Data1:61
3Data1: 3
1Data2:39
2Data2:37
3Data2: 2
Party3:Coalition
1Data3:1
2Data3:1
1Blank:Chambers before
2Blank:Chambers after
3Blank:Overall change
Colour3:d9b2d9

Elections to state legislatures were held on November 4, 2008, alongside other elections, in which Democrats scored significant gains in a blue wave election. Elections were held for 85 legislative chambers, with all states but Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, Alabama, Maryland, and Virginia holding elections in at least one house. Michigan and Minnesota held elections for their lower, but not upper houses.[1] Seven territorial chambers in four territories and the District of Columbia were up.

The New Hampshire Senate saw the election of the first-ever female majority. This is the first time this has occurred in any chamber of any state legislature in United States history.[2] In New York, the Democrats obtained a trifecta for the first time since 1935, and in Delaware for the first time since 1977.[3]

The Democrats took control of six legislative bodies to the Republicans' four. Democrats took control of the Delaware House of Representatives, for the first time since 1985, the Montana House of Representatives, the Nevada Senate, and the New York State Senate, for the first time since 1966, the Ohio House of Representatives, and the Wisconsin State Assembly. Republicans took control of the Montana Senate; both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly,[4] for the first time since 1870; and the Oklahoma Senate, for the first time in state history. With the Montana Senate and the Montana House of Representatives flipping, this election cycle marked the last time in U.S. history as of where the upper house and lower house held by different political parties in a state legislature both flipped in the same cycle.

Summary table

Regularly-scheduled elections were held in 85 of the 99 state legislative chambers in the United States. Nationwide, regularly-scheduled elections were held for 5,948 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. 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.

StateUpper House[5] Lower House
Seats upTotal% upTermSeats upTotal% upTerm
Alaska192095440401002
Arizona3030100260601002
Arkansas35351002/41001001002
California204050480801002
Colorado183551465651002
Connecticut363610021511511002
Delaware21211002/441411002
Florida40401002/41201201002
Georgia565610021801801002
Hawaii25251002/451511002
Idaho3535100270701002
Illinois59591002/41181181002
Indiana25505041001001002
Iowa25505041001001002
Kansas404010041251251002
Kentucky19385041001001002
Louisiana03904010504
Maine353510021511511002
Maryland04704014104
Massachusetts404010021601601002
Michigan038041101101002
Minnesota001002/41341341002
Mississippi05204012204
Missouri17345041631631002
Montana25505041001001002
Nebraska2549514N/A (unicameral)
Nevada102148442421002
New Hampshire242410024004001002
New Jersey04002/408002
New Mexico4242100470701002
New York626210021501501002
North Carolina505010021201201002
North Dakota23474944794504
Ohio163348499991002
Oklahoma24485041011011002
Oregon153050460601002
Pennsylvania25505042032031002
Rhode Island3838100275751002
South Carolina464610041241241002
South Dakota3535100270701002
Tennessee163348499991002
Texas1631522/41501501002
Utah152952475751002
Vermont303010021501501002
Virginia04004010002
Washington254951498981002
West Virginia17345041001001002
Wisconsin163348499991002
Wyoming153050460601002
Total1280197165N/A4595541185N/A

Electoral predictions

Analysts expected Democrats to perform quite well, owing to the strong polling of Democrat Barack Obama in the concurrent presidential election. Despite this, they expected Democrats to only be able to pick up a net handful of chambers from the Republicans owing to the highs they had already reached during the 2006 elections. They saw Democrats' best pickup opportunities in chambers in midwestern presidential battleground states such as the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Ohio House of Representatives, as well as Republican-held chambers in strongly-Democratic states, such as the Delaware House of Representatives and the New York State Senate. Despite Obama's large polling lead, Republicans were expected to be able to win a few chambers in southern states where his potential coattails were seen as weaker in rural areas, such as the Oklahoma Senate and the Tennessee Senate.

Ratings are designated as follows:

StateChamberLastelectionStateline[6] Result
AlaskaSenate data-sort-value="-75.0" Coal. 15–5 data-sort-value="-80.0" Coal. 16–4
House of Representatives data-sort-value="57.5" R 23–17 data-sort-value="55.0" R 22–18
ArizonaSenate data-sort-value="56.7" R 17–13 data-sort-value="60.0" R 18–12
House of Representatives data-sort-value="55.0" R 33–27 data-sort-value="60.0" R 36–24
ArkansasSenate data-sort-value="-77.1" D 27–8 data-sort-value="-77.1" D 27–8
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-72.0" D 72–28 data-sort-value="-71.0" D 71–28–1
CaliforniaState Senate data-sort-value="-62.5" D 25–15 data-sort-value="-62.5" D 25–15
State Assembly data-sort-value="-60.0" D 48–32 data-sort-value="-62.5" D 50–29–1
ColoradoSenate data-sort-value="-57.1" D 20–15 data-sort-value="-60.0" D 21–14
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-60.0" D 39–26 data-sort-value="-58.5" D 38–27
ConnecticutState Senate data-sort-value="-63.9" D 24–12 data-sort-value="-66.7" D 24–12
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-70.9" D 107–44 data-sort-value="-75.5" D 114–37
DelawareSenate data-sort-value="-61.9" D 13–8 data-sort-value="-76.2" D 16–5
House of Representatives data-sort-value="56.1" R 23–18 data-sort-value="-58.5" D 24–17
FloridaSenate data-sort-value="65.0" R 26–14 data-sort-value="65.0" R 26–14
House of Representatives data-sort-value="65.0" R 78–42 data-sort-value="63.3" R 76–44
GeorgiaState Senate data-sort-value="60.7" R 34–22 data-sort-value="60.7" R 34–22
House of Representatives data-sort-value="58.9" R 106–74 data-sort-value="58.3" R 105–74–1
HawaiiSenate data-sort-value="-80.0" D 20–5 data-sort-value="-92.0" D 23–2
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-84.3" D 43–8 data-sort-value="-88.2" D 45–6
IdahoSenate data-sort-value="80.0" R 28–7 data-sort-value="80.0" R 28–7
House of Representatives data-sort-value="72.9" R 51–19 data-sort-value="74.3" R 52–18
IllinoisSenate data-sort-value="-62.7" D 37–22 data-sort-value="-62.7" D 37–22
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-55.9" D 66–52 data-sort-value="-59.3" D 70–48
IndianaSenate data-sort-value="66.0" R 33–17 data-sort-value="66.0" R 33–17
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-51.0" D 51–49 data-sort-value="-52.0" D 52–48
IowaSenate data-sort-value="-60.0" D 30–20 data-sort-value="-64.0" D 32–18
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-54.0" D 54–46 data-sort-value="-57.0" D 57–43
KansasSenate data-sort-value="75.0" R 30–10 data-sort-value="77.5" R 31–9
House of Representatives data-sort-value="62.4" R 78–47 data-sort-value="61.6" R 77–48
KentuckySenate data-sort-value="57.9" R 21–16–1 data-sort-value="55.3" R 21–16–1
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-61.0" D 61–39 data-sort-value="-65.0" D 65–35
MaineSenate data-sort-value="-51.4" D 18–17 data-sort-value="-57.1" D 20–15
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-59.6" D 90–59–2 data-sort-value="-62.9" D 95–55–1
MassachusettsSenate data-sort-value="-87.5" D 35–5 data-sort-value="-87.5" D 35–5
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-88.1" D 141–19 data-sort-value="-90.0" D 144–15–1
MichiganHouse of Representatives data-sort-value="-52.7" D 58–52 data-sort-value="-60.9" D 67–43
MinnesotaHouse of Representatives data-sort-value="-63.4" D 85–49 data-sort-value="-64.9" D 87–47
MissouriSenate data-sort-value="61.7" R 21–13 data-sort-value="67.6" R 23–11
House of Representatives data-sort-value="56.4" R 92–71 data-sort-value="54.6" R 89–74
MontanaSenate data-sort-value="-52.0" D 26–24 data-sort-value="54.0" R 27–23
House of Representatives data-sort-value="50.0" R 50–49–1 data-sort-value="-50.0" D 50–50
NevadaSenate data-sort-value="52.4" R 11–10 data-sort-value="-57.1" D 12–9
Assembly data-sort-value="-64.3" D 27–15 data-sort-value="-66.7" D 28–14
New HampshireSenate data-sort-value="-58.3" D 14–10 data-sort-value="-58.3" D 14–10
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-59.8" D 239–160–1 data-sort-value="-56.3" D 225–175
New MexicoSenate data-sort-value="-57.1" D 24–18 data-sort-value="-64.3" D 27–15
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-60.0" D 42–28 data-sort-value="-64.3" D 45–25
New YorkState Senate data-sort-value="52.4" R 33–29 data-sort-value="-51.6" D 32–30
State Assembly data-sort-value="-70.7" D 106–42–1–1 data-sort-value="-71.3" D 107–41–1–1
North CarolinaSenate data-sort-value="-62.0" D 31–19 data-sort-value="-60.0" D 30–20
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-56.7" D 68–52 data-sort-value="-56.7" D 68–52
North DakotaSenate data-sort-value="55.3" R 26–21 data-sort-value="55.3" R 26–21
House of Representatives data-sort-value="64.9" R 61–33 data-sort-value="61.7" R 58–36
OhioSenate data-sort-value="63.6" R 21–12 data-sort-value="63.6" R 21–12
House of Representatives data-sort-value="53.5" R 53–46 data-sort-value="-53.5" D 53–46
OklahomaSenate data-sort-value="-50.0" D 24–24 data-sort-value="54.2" R 26–22
House of Representatives data-sort-value="56.4" R 57–44 data-sort-value="60.4" R 61–40
OregonState Senate data-sort-value="-63.3" D 19–11 data-sort-value="-60.0" D 18–12
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-51.7" D 31–29 data-sort-value="-60.0" D 36–24
PennsylvaniaState Senate data-sort-value="58.0" R 29–21 data-sort-value="60.0" R 30–20
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-50.2" D 102–101 data-sort-value="-51.2" D 104–99
Rhode IslandSenate data-sort-value="-86.8" D 33–5 data-sort-value="-86.8" D 33–4–1
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-80.0" D 60–15 data-sort-value="-92.0" D 69–6
South CarolinaSenate data-sort-value="56.5" R 26–20 data-sort-value="58.7" R 27–19
House of Representatives data-sort-value="58.9" R 73–51 data-sort-value="58.9" R 73–51
South DakotaSenate data-sort-value="57.1" R 20–15 data-sort-value="60.0" R 21–14
House of Representatives data-sort-value="71.4" R 50–20 data-sort-value="65.7" R 46–24
TennesseeSenate data-sort-value="0" 16–16–1 data-sort-value="57.6" R 19–14
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-53.5" D 53–46 data-sort-value="50.5" R 50–49
TexasSenate data-sort-value="64.5" R 20–11 data-sort-value="61.3" R 19–12
House of Representatives data-sort-value="54.0" R 81–69 data-sort-value="50.7" R 76–74
UtahState Senate data-sort-value="72.4" R 21–8 data-sort-value="72.4" R 21–8
House of Representatives data-sort-value="73.3" R 55–20 data-sort-value="70.7" R 53–22
VermontSenate data-sort-value="-76.7" D 23–7 data-sort-value="-76.7" D 23–7
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-62.0" D 93–49–6–2 data-sort-value="-62.7" D 94–48–5–3
WashingtonState Senate data-sort-value="-65.3" D 32–17 data-sort-value="-63.3" D 31–18
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-62.2" D 62–36 data-sort-value="-62.2" D 62–36
West VirginiaSenate data-sort-value="-67.6" D 23–11 data-sort-value="-76.5" D 26–8
House of Delegates data-sort-value="-72.0" D 72–28 data-sort-value="-71.0" D 71–29
WisconsinSenate data-sort-value="-54.5" D 18–15 data-sort-value="-54.5" D 18–15
State Assembly data-sort-value="52.5" R 52–47 data-sort-value="-52.5" D 52–46–1
WyomingSenate data-sort-value="76.7" R 23–7 data-sort-value="76.7" R 23–7
House of Representatives data-sort-value="71.7" R 43–17 data-sort-value="68.3" R 41–19

State summaries

Alaska

All of the seats of the Alaska House of Representatives and half of the Alaska Senate were up for election. The Democratic-led coalition maintained control of the Senate while Republicans maintained control of the House.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic910 1
Republican66 1
54
Total2020
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2322 1
Democratic1718 1
Total4040

Arizona

See main article: 2008 Arizona Senate election and 2008 Arizona House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the Arizona Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican1718 1
Democratic1312 1
Total3030
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican3336 3
Democratic2724 3
Total6060

Arkansas

All of the seats of the Arkansas House of Representatives and half of the Arkansas Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic2727
Republican88
Total3535
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic7271 1
Republican2828
Green01 1
Total100100

California

See main article: 2008 California State Senate election and 2008 California State Assembly election.

All of the seats of the California House of Representatives and half of the California Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic2525
Republican1515
Total4040
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic4850 2
Republican3229 3
Independent01 1
Total8080

Colorado

All of the seats of the Colorado House of Representatives and half of the Colorado Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic2021 1
Republican1514 1
Total3535
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic3938 1
Republican2627 1
Total6565

Connecticut

See main article: 2008 Connecticut State Senate election.

All of the seats of the Connecticut Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic2324 1
Republican1312 1
Total3636
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic107114 7
Republican4437 7
Total151151

Delaware

See main article: article, 2008 Delaware Senate election and 2008 Delaware House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the Delaware House of Representatives and half of the Delaware Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the Senate and won control of the House.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic1316 3
Republican85 3
Total2121
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic1824 6
Republican2317 6
Total4141

Florida

All of the seats of the Florida House of Representatives and half of the Florida Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2626
Democratic1414
Total4040
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican7776 1
Democratic4344 1
Total120120

Georgia

All of the seats of the Georgia Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican3434
Democratic2222
Total5656
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican106105 1
Democratic7474
Independent01 1
Total180180

Hawaii

All of the seats of the Hawaii House of Representatives and half of the Hawaii Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic2023 3
Republican52 3
Total2525
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic4345 2
Republican86 2
Total5151

Idaho

All of the seats of the Idaho Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2828
Democratic77
Total3535
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican5152 1
Democratic1918 1
Total7070

Illinois

See main article: 2008 Illinois Senate election and 2008 Illinois House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the Illinois House of Representatives and 2/3rds of the Illinois Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic3737
Republican2222
Total5959
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic6770 3
Republican5148 3
Total118118

Indiana

All of the seats of the Indiana House of Representatives and half of the Indiana Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate while Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican3333
Democratic1717
Total5050
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic5152 1
Republican4948 1
Total100100

Iowa

See main article: 2008 Iowa Senate election and 2008 Iowa House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the Iowa House of Representatives and half of the Iowa Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic3032 2
Republican2018 2
Total5050
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic5457 3
Republican4643 3
Total100100

Kansas

All of the seats of the Kansas Senate and Kansas House of Representatives were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican3031 1
Democratic2019 1
Total5050
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican7877 1
Democratic4748 1
Total125125

Kentucky

All of the seats of the Kentucky House of Representatives and half of the Kentucky Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate and Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2221 1
Independent11
Democratic1516 1
Total3838
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic6365 2
Republican3735 2
Total100100

Maine

All of the seats of the Maine Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic1820 2
Republican1715 2
Total3535
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic9095 5
Republican5955 4
Independent21 1
Total151151

Massachusetts

See main article: 2008 Massachusetts Senate election and 2008 Massachusetts House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the Massachusetts Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic3535
Republican55
Total4040
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic144144
Republican1515
Independent11
Total160160

Michigan

See main article: 2008 Michigan House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the Michigan House of Representatives were up for election; Democrats maintained control.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic5867 9
Republican5243 9
Total110110

Minnesota

See main article: 2008 Minnesota House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the Minnesota House of Representatives were up; Democrats maintained control.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic (DFL)8587 2
Republican4847 1
Independent Republican10 1
Total134134

Missouri

All of the seats of the Missouri House of Representatives and half of the Missouri Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2123 2
Democratic1311 2
Total3434
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican9289 3
Democratic7174 3
Total163163

Montana

See main article: 2008 Montana House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the Montana House of Representatives and half of the Montana Senate were up for election. Republicans flipped control of the Senate and Democrats flipped control of the House.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2427 3
Democratic2623 3
Total5050
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic4950 1
Republican5050
Constitution10 1
Total100100

Nebraska

See main article: article.

Nebraska is the only U.S. state with a unicameral legislature; half of the seats of the Nebraska Legislature were up for election. 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. Republicans maintained control.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican3031 1
Democratic1718 1
Independent20 2
Total4949

Nevada

All of the seats of the Nevada House of Representatives and half of the Nevada Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the House and won control of the Senate.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic1012 2
Republican119 2
Total2121
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic2728 1
Republican1514 1
Total4242

New Hampshire

All of the seats of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and the New Hampshire Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic1414
Republican1010
Total2424
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic239225 14
Republican160175 15
Independent10 1
Total400400

New Mexico

See main article: 2008 New Mexico Senate election and 2008 New Mexico House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the New Mexico Senate and the New Mexico House of Representatives were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic2427 3
Republican1815 3
Total4242
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic4245 3
Republican2825 3
Total7070

New York

See main article: 2008 New York State Assembly election.

All of the seats of the New York Legislature were up for election. Democrats won control of the Senate and maintained control of the Assembly.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic3032 2
Republican3230 2
Total6262
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic106107 1
Republican4241 1
Independence11
Working Families11
Total150150

North Carolina

See main article: 2008 North Carolina Senate election and 2008 North Carolina House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the North Carolina House of Representatives and half of the North Carolina Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic3130 1
Republican1920 1
Total5050
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic6868
Republican5252
Total120120

North Dakota

All of the seats of the North Dakota House of Representatives and half of the North Dakota Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2626
Democratic-NPL2121
Total4747
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican6158 3
Democratic-NPL3336 3
Total9494

Ohio

All of the seats of the Ohio House of Representatives and half of the Ohio Senate were up for election. Democrats won control of the House of Representatives while Republicans maintained control of the Senate.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2121
Democratic1212
Total3333
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic4653 7
Republican5346 7
Total9999

Oklahoma

All of the seats of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and half of the Oklahoma Senate were up for election. Republicans won control of the Senate and maintained control of the House.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2426 2
Democratic2422 2
Total4848
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican5761 4
Democratic4440 4
Total101101

Oregon

All of the seats of the Oregon House of Representatives and half of the Oregon Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic1918 1
Republican1112 1
Total3030
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic3136 5
Republican2924 5
Total6060

Pennsylvania

See main article: 2008 Pennsylvania Senate election and 2008 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and half of the Pennsylvania Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate while Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2930 1
Democratic2120 1
Total5050
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic102104 2
Republican10199 2
Total203203

Rhode Island

All of the seats of the Rhode Island Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic3333
Republican54 1
Independent01 1
Total3838
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic6069 9
Republican156 9
Total7575

South Carolina

See main article: 2008 South Carolina Senate election.

All of the seats of the South Carolina legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2727
Democratic1919
Total4646
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican7373
Democratic5151
Total124124

South Dakota

All of the seats of the South Dakota Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2021 1
Democratic1514 1
Total3535
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican5046 4
Democratic2024 4
Total7070

Tennessee

See main article: 2008 Tennessee Senate election and 2008 Tennessee House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the Tennessee House of Representatives and half of the Tennessee Senate were up for election. Republicans won control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican1619 3
Democratic1614 2
Independent10 1
Total3333
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican4650 4
Democratic5349 4
Total9999

Texas

See main article: 2008 Texas Senate election and 2008 Texas House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the Texas House of Representatives and half of the Texas Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2019 1
Democratic1112 1
Total3131
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican7976 3
Democratic7174 3
Total150150

Utah

All of the seats of the Utah House of Representatives and half of the Utah Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2121
Democratic88
Total2929
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican5553 2
Democratic2022 2
Total7575

Vermont

All of the seats of the Vermont Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic2323
Republican77
Total3030
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic9394 1
Republican4948 1
Progressive65 1
Independent23 1
Total150150

Washington

See main article: 2008 Washington State Senate election and 2008 Washington House of Representatives election.

All of the seats of the Washington House of Representatives and half of the Washington Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic3131
Republican1818
Total4949
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic6362 1
Republican3536 1
Total9898

West Virginia

See main article: 2008 West Virginia Senate election.

All of the seats of the West Virginia House of Delegates and half of the West Virginia Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic2326 3
Republican118 3
Total3434
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic7271 1
Republican2829 1
Total100100

Wisconsin

See main article: 2008 Wisconsin Senate election and 2008 Wisconsin State Assembly election.

All of the seats of the Wisconsin Assembly and half of the Wisconsin Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the Senate and won control of the Assembly.

Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic1818
Republican1515
Total3333
Party!Before!After!Change
Democratic4752 5
Republican5146 5
Independent11
Total9999

Wyoming

All of the seats of the Wyoming House of Representatives and half of the Wyoming Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Party!Before!After!Change
Republican2323
Democratic77
Total3030
Party!Before!After!Change
Republican4341 2
Democratic1719 2
Total6060

Territorial and federal district summaries

American Samoa

All 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

All 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.

+colspan=5 Guam Legislature
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic810 2
Republican75 2
Total1515

Puerto Rico

All 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 held control of both chambers.

+colspan=5 Puerto Rico Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Popular Democratic119 2
New Progressive1522 7
Puerto Rican Independence10 1
Total2731
+colspan=5 Puerto Rico House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Popular Democratic1817 1
New Progressive3237 5
Puerto Rican Independence10 1
Total5154

U.S. Virgin Islands

All 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.

+colspan=5 Virgin Islands Legislature
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic910 1
Independent65 1
Total1515

Washington, D.C.

The 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.

+colspan=5 District of Columbia Council
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic1111
Independent12 1
Total1313

Notes and References

  1. Web site: State legislative elections, 2008. Ballotpedia. 26 March 2023.
  2. Web site: New Hampshire Senate Makes History . ABC News . December 7, 2008.
  3. Web site: New York - Election Results 2008 - The New York Times . 2022-04-22 . www.nytimes.com.
  4. Web site: Whitehouse . Ken . Tennessee Republicans win slim majority in State House . 2023-02-07 . Nashville Post . en.
  5. Web site: 2020 Legislative Races by State and Legislative Chamber . National Conference of State Legislatures.
  6. Web site: Jacobson . Louis . October 15, 2008 . Legislative races tilting Dems' way in '08 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081106082124/http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=348037 . November 6, 2008 . August 1, 2024 . Stateline.