2010 United States state legislative elections explained

Election Name:2010 United States state legislative elections
Country:United States
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2009 United States state legislative elections
Previous Year:2009
Next Election:2011 United States state legislative elections
Next Year:2011
Seats For Election:88 legislative chambers in 46 states
Election Date:November 2, 2010
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Map Size:320px
Map2 Image:2010 United States lower house state legislative elections.svg
Map2 Size:320px
Map2 Caption:Map of lower house elections:




1Data1:37
2Data1:57
3Data1: 20
1Data2:61
2Data2:40
3Data2: 21
Party3:Coalition
1Data3:1
2Data3:1
1Blank:Chambers before
2Blank:Chambers after
3Blank:Overall change
Colour3:d9b2d9

The 2010 United States state legislative elections were held on November 2, 2010, halfway through President Barack Obama's first term in office. Elections were held for 88 legislative chambers, with all states but Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia holding elections in at least one house. Kansas and New Mexico held elections for their lower, but not upper houses. Four territorial chambers in three territories and the District of Columbia were up as well.

Republicans scored record gains, gaining at least 680 total seats and taking control of 20 legislative chambers through election, while the Democrats lost 21 chambers.[1] [2] The winners of this election cycle were slated to serve in their respective legislatures for either two or four-year terms, depending on state election rules.

Republicans made substantial gains in state legislatures across the nation. Twenty chambers flipped from Democratic to Republican control, giving Republicans full control of eleven state legislatures and control of one chamber in Colorado, Iowa, and New York.[3] Additionally, Republicans gained enough seats in the Oregon House of Representatives to produce a 30-30 party split, pushing Democrats into a power-sharing agreement that resulted in the election of two "co-speakers" (one from each party) to lead the chamber.[4] Republicans gained a total of 680 seats in state legislative races, breaking the previous record of 628 flipped seats set by Democrats in the post-Watergate elections of 1974.[5]

Six states saw both chambers switch from Democrat to Republican majorities: Alabama (where the Republicans won a majority and a trifecta for the first time since 1874), Maine (for the first time since 1964), Minnesota (for the first time since 1915 in partisan elections and 1973 in non-partisan elections), New Hampshire, North Carolina (for the first time since 1896), and Wisconsin. In addition, by picking up the lower chambers in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Montana and Pennsylvania, Republicans gained control of both chambers in an additional five states. Further, Republicans picked up one chamber from Democrats in Colorado, Iowa, and New York to split control in those states. They expanded majorities in both chambers in Texas, Florida, and Georgia.[6] [7] The Republican victories in legislative races gave the party unprecedented power over the redrawing of congressional and state legislative districts following the 2010 census.[8]

Summary table

Regularly-scheduled elections were held in 88 of the 99 state legislative chambers in the United States; nationwide, regularly-scheduled elections were held for 6,064 of the 7,383 legislative seats. Most 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 that were 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 election years.

Note that this table only covers regularly-scheduled elections; additional special elections took place concurrently with these regularly-scheduled elections.

StateUpper House[9] Lower House
Seats upTotal% upTermSeats upTotal% upTerm
Alabama353510041051051004
Alaska102050440401002
Arizona3030100260601002
Arkansas1835512/41001001002
California204050480801002
Colorado173549465651002
Connecticut363610021511511002
Delaware1021482/441411002
Florida2040502/41201201002
Georgia565610021801801002
Hawaii1225482/451511002
Idaho3535100270701002
Illinois3959662/41181181002
Indiana25505041001001002
Iowa25505041001001002
Kansas040041251251002
Kentucky19385041001001002
Louisiana03904010504
Maine353510021511511002
Maryland474710041411411004
Massachusetts404010021601601002
Michigan383810041101101002
Minnesota67671002/41341341002
Mississippi05204012204
Missouri17345041631631002
Montana25505041001001002
Nebraska2449494N/A (unicameral)
Nevada112152442421002
New Hampshire242410024004001002
New Jersey04002/408002
New Mexico042100470701002
New York626210021501501002
North Carolina505010021201201002
North Dakota24475144794504
Ohio163352499991002
Oklahoma24485041011011002
Oregon153050460601002
Pennsylvania25505042032031002
Rhode Island3838100275751002
South Carolina046041241241002
South Dakota3535100270701002
Tennessee173352499991002
Texas1531482/41501501002
Utah142948475751002
Vermont303010021501501002
Virginia04004010002
Washington254949498981002
West Virginia17345041001001002
Wisconsin173352499991002
Wyoming153050460601002
Total1105197156N/A4958541192N/A

Electoral predictions

Analysts predicted a very strong showing for the Republicans, anticipating a nationwide wave election in their favor. This was attributed to the nation's slow recovery from the Great Recession, the chaotic passage and implementation of the Affordable Care Act, immigration, and the large number of legislative chambers and governorships that Democrats controlled after the 2006 and 2008 elections.[10] As the campaign progressed, Democratic prospects only became worse, leading to the largest gap in legislative chambers held by each party considered vulnerable in over a decade.[11] By election day, Republicans were expected to be able to flip between eleven and twenty seven legislative chambers from Democrats, with only one Republican-held chamber considered vulnerable.

Ratings are designated as follows:

StateChamberLastelectionGoverning[12] Result
AlabamaSenate data-sort-value="-65.7" D 23–12 data-sort-value="62.9" R 22–12–1
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-59.0" D 62–43 data-sort-value="59.0" R 62–43
AlaskaSenate data-sort-value="-80.0" Coal. 16–4 data-sort-value="-75.0" Coal. 15–5
House of Representatives data-sort-value="55.0" R 22–18 data-sort-value="60.0" R 24–16
ArizonaSenate data-sort-value="60.0" R 18–12 data-sort-value="70.0" R 21–9
House of Representatives data-sort-value="60.0" R 36–24 data-sort-value="66.7" R 40–20
ArkansasSenate data-sort-value="-77.1" D 27–8 data-sort-value="-57.1" D 20–15
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-71.0" D 71–28–1 data-sort-value="-54.0" D 54–46
CaliforniaState Senate data-sort-value="-62.5" D 25–15 data-sort-value="-62.5" D 25–15
State Assembly data-sort-value="-62.5" D 50–29–1 data-sort-value="-65.0" D 52–28
ColoradoSenate data-sort-value="-60.0" D 21–14 data-sort-value="-57.1" D 20–15
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-58.5" D 38–27 data-sort-value="50.8" R 33–32
ConnecticutState Senate data-sort-value="-66.7" D 24–12 data-sort-value="-63.9" D 23–13
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-75.5" D 114–37 data-sort-value="-64.9" D 99–52
DelawareSenate data-sort-value="-76.2" D 16–5 data-sort-value="-66.7" D 14–7
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-58.5" D 24–17 data-sort-value="-63.4" D 26–15
FloridaSenate data-sort-value="65.0" R 26–14 data-sort-value="70.0" R 28–12
House of Representatives data-sort-value="63.3" R 76–44 data-sort-value="67.5" R 81–39
GeorgiaState Senate data-sort-value="60.7" R 34–22 data-sort-value="62.5" R 35–21
House of Representatives data-sort-value="58.3" R 105–74–1 data-sort-value="60.0" R 108–71–1
HawaiiSenate data-sort-value="-92.0" D 23–2 data-sort-value="-96.0" D 24–1
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-88.2" D 45–6 data-sort-value="-84.3" D 43–8
IdahoSenate data-sort-value="80.0" R 28–7 data-sort-value="80.0" R 28–7
House of Representatives data-sort-value="74.3" R 52–18 data-sort-value="81.4" R 57–13
IllinoisSenate data-sort-value="-62.7" D 37–22 data-sort-value="-57.6" D 34–25
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-59.3" D 70–48 data-sort-value="-54.2" D 64–54
IndianaSenate data-sort-value="66.0" R 33–17 data-sort-value="72.0" R 36–14
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-52.0" D 52–48 data-sort-value="60.0" R 60–40
IowaSenate data-sort-value="-64.0" D 32–18 data-sort-value="-52.0" D 26–24
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-57.0" D 57–43 data-sort-value="60.0" R 60–40
KansasHouse of Representatives data-sort-value="61.6" R 77–48 data-sort-value="73.6" R 92–33
KentuckySenate data-sort-value="55.3" R 21–16–1 data-sort-value="57.9" R 22–15–1
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-65.0" D 65–35 data-sort-value="-58.0" D 58–42
MaineSenate data-sort-value="-57.1" D 20–15 data-sort-value="57.1" R 20–14–1
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-62.9" D 95–55–1 data-sort-value="51.7" R 78–72–1
MarylandSenate data-sort-value="-70.2" D 33–14 data-sort-value="-74.5" D 35–12
House of Delegates data-sort-value="-73.8" D 104–37 data-sort-value="-69.5" D 98–43
MassachusettsSenate data-sort-value="-87.5" D 35–5 data-sort-value="-90.0" D 36–4
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-90.0" D 144–15–1 data-sort-value="-81.3" D 130–30
MichiganSenate data-sort-value="55.3" R 21–17 data-sort-value="68.4" R 26–12
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-60.9" D 67–43 data-sort-value="57.3" R 63–47
MinnesotaSenate data-sort-value="-65.7" D 44–23 data-sort-value="55.2" R 37–30
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-64.9" D 87–47 data-sort-value="53.7" R 72–62
MissouriSenate data-sort-value="67.6" R 23–11 data-sort-value="76.5" R 26–8
House of Representatives data-sort-value="54.6" R 89–74 data-sort-value="64.4" R 105–58
MontanaSenate data-sort-value="54.0" R 27–23 data-sort-value="56.0" R 28–22
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-50.0" D 50–50 data-sort-value="68.0" R 68–32
NevadaSenate data-sort-value="-57.1" D 12–9 data-sort-value="-52.4" D 11–10
Assembly data-sort-value="-66.7" D 28–14 data-sort-value="-61.9" D 26–16
New HampshireSenate data-sort-value="-58.3" D 14–10 data-sort-value="79.2" R 19–5
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-56.3" D 225–175 data-sort-value="74.5" R 298–102
New MexicoHouse of Representatives data-sort-value="-64.3" D 45–25 data-sort-value="-51.5" D 36–34
New YorkState Senate data-sort-value="-51.6" D 32–30 data-sort-value="51.6" R 32–30
State Assembly data-sort-value="-71.3" D 107–41–1–1 data-sort-value="-66.0" D 99–50–1
North CarolinaSenate data-sort-value="-60.0" D 30–20 data-sort-value="62.0" R 31–19
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-56.7" D 68–52 data-sort-value="55.8" R 67–52–1
North DakotaSenate data-sort-value="55.3" R 26–21 data-sort-value="74.5" R 35–12
House of Representatives data-sort-value="61.7" R 58–36 data-sort-value="73.4" R 69–25
OhioSenate data-sort-value="63.6" R 21–12 data-sort-value="69.7" R 23–10
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-53.5" D 53–46 data-sort-value="59.6" R 59–40
OklahomaSenate data-sort-value="54.2" R 26–22 data-sort-value="66.7" R 32–16
House of Representatives data-sort-value="60.4" R 61–40 data-sort-value="69.3" R 70–31
OregonState Senate data-sort-value="-60.0" D 18–12 data-sort-value="-53.3" D 16–14
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-60.0" D 36–24 data-sort-value="0" 30–30
PennsylvaniaState Senate data-sort-value="60.0" R 30–20 data-sort-value="60.0" R 30–20
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-51.2" D 104–99 data-sort-value="55.2" R 112–91
Rhode IslandSenate data-sort-value="-86.8" D 33–4–1 data-sort-value="-76.3" D 29–8–1
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-92.0" D 69–6 data-sort-value="-86.7" D 65–10
South CarolinaHouse of Representatives data-sort-value="58.9" R 73–51 data-sort-value="61.3" R 76–48
South DakotaSenate data-sort-value="60.0" R 21–14 data-sort-value="85.8" R 30–5
House of Representatives data-sort-value="65.7" R 46–24 data-sort-value="71.4" R 50–19–1
TennesseeSenate data-sort-value="57.6" R 19–14 data-sort-value="60.6" R 20–13
House of Representatives data-sort-value="50.5" R 50–49 data-sort-value="64.6" R 64–34–1
TexasSenate data-sort-value="61.3" R 19–12 data-sort-value="61.3" R 19–12
House of Representatives data-sort-value="50.7" R 76–74 data-sort-value="66.0" R 99–51
UtahState Senate data-sort-value="72.4" R 21–8 data-sort-value="75.9" R 22–7
House of Representatives data-sort-value="70.7" R 53–22 data-sort-value="77.3" R 58–17
VermontSenate data-sort-value="-76.7" D 23–7 data-sort-value="-70.0" D 21–8–1
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-62.7" D 94–48–5–3 data-sort-value="-62.7" D 94–48–5–3
WashingtonState Senate data-sort-value="-63.3" D 31–18 data-sort-value="-55.1" D 27–22
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-62.2" D 62–36 data-sort-value="-57.1" D 56–42
West VirginiaSenate data-sort-value="-76.5" D 26–8 data-sort-value="-82.4" D 28–6
House of Delegates data-sort-value="-71.0" D 71–29 data-sort-value="-65.0" D 65–35
WisconsinSenate data-sort-value="-54.5" D 18–15 data-sort-value="57.6" R 19–14
State Assembly data-sort-value="-52.5" D 52–46–1 data-sort-value="60.6" R 60–38–1
WyomingSenate data-sort-value="76.7" R 23–7 data-sort-value="86.7" R 26–4
House of Representatives data-sort-value="68.3" R 41–19 data-sort-value="83.3" R 50–10

State Summaries

Alabama

See main article: 2010 Alabama Senate election and 2010 Alabama House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the Alabama Legislature were up for election. Republicans won control of both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Alabama Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican1422 8
Independent11
Democratic2012 8
Total3535
+colspan=5 Alabama House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican4562 17
Democratic6043 17
Total105105

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.

+colspan=5 Alaska Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic1010
Republican65
45
Total2020
+colspan=5 Alaska House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2224 2
Democratic184 2
12
Total4040

Arizona

See main article: 2010 Arizona Senate election. All of the seats of the Arizona Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Arizona Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican1821 3
Democratic129 3
Total3030
+colspan=5 Arizona House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3640 4
Democratic2420 4
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.

+colspan=5 Arkansas Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2720 7
Republican815 7
Total3535
+colspan=5 Arkansas House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic7254 18
Republican2846 18
Total100100

California

See main article: 2010 California State Senate election and 2010 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.

+colspan=5 California State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2525
Republican1515
Total4040
+colspan=5 California State Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic5052 2
Republican2928 1
Independent10 1
Total8080

Colorado

See main article: 2010 Colorado Senate election. All of the seats of the Colorado House of Representatives and half of the Colorado Senate were up for election. Republicans won control of the House and Democrats maintained control of the Senate.

+colspan=5 Colorado Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2120 1
Republican1415 1
Total3535
+colspan=5 Colorado House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2732 5
Democratic3833 5
Total6565

Connecticut

See main article: 2010 Connecticut State Senate election and 2010 Connecticut House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the Connecticut Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Connecticut State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2423 1
Republican1213 1
Total3636
+colspan=5 Connecticut House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic11499 15
Republican3752 15
Total151151

Delaware

See main article: article, 2010 Delaware Senate election and 2010 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 both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Delaware Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic1514 1
Republican67 1
Total2121
+colspan=5 Delaware House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2426 2
Republican1715 2
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.

+colspan=5 Florida Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2628 2
Democratic1412 2
Total4040
+colspan=5 Florida House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican7681 5
Democratic4439 5
Total120120

Georgia

See main article: 2010 Georgia State Senate election and 2010 Georgia House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the Georgia Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Georgia State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3435 1
Democratic2221 1
Total5656
+colspan=5 Georgia House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican105108 3
Democratic7471 3
Independent11
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.

+colspan=5 Hawaii Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2324 1
Republican21 1
Total2525
+colspan=5 Hawaii House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic4543 2
Republican68 2
Total5151

Idaho

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

+colspan=5 Idaho Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2828
Democratic77
Total3535
+colspan=5 Idaho House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican5257 5
Democratic1813 5
Total7070

Illinois

See main article: 2010 Illinois Senate election and 2010 Illinois House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the Illinois House of Representatives and 1/3rd of the Illinois Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Illinois Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic3734 3
Republican2225 3
Total5959
+colspan=5 Illinois House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic7064 6
Republican4854 6
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 and won control of the House of Representatives.

+colspan=5 Indiana Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3336 3
Democratic1714 3
Total5050
+colspan=5 Indiana House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican4860 12
Democratic5240 12
Total100100

Iowa

See main article: 2010 Iowa Senate election. All of the seats of the Iowa House of Representatives and half of the Iowa Senate were up for election. Republicans won control of the House of Representatives and Democrats maintained control of the Senate.

+colspan=5 Iowa Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic3226 6
Republican1824 6
Total5050
+colspan=5 Iowa House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican4360 17
Democratic5740 17
Total100100

Kansas

All of the seats of the Kansas House of Representatives. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Kansas House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican7792 15
Democratic4833 15
Total125125

Kentucky

See main article: 2010 Kentucky Senate election. 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.

+colspan=5 Kentucky Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2022 2
Independent11
Democratic1715 2
Total3838
+colspan=5 Kentucky House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic6558 7
Republican3542 7
Total100100

Maine

All of the seats of the Maine Legislature were up for election. Republicans won control of both legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Maine Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican1520 5
Democratic2014 6
Independent01 1
Total3535
+colspan=5 Maine House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican5578 23
Democratic9572 23
Independent11
Total151151

Maryland

See main article: 2010 Maryland Senate election and 2010 Maryland House of Delegates election. All of the seats of the Maryland Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Maryland Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic3335 2
Republican1412 2
Total4747
+colspan=5 Maryland House of Delegates
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic10498 6
Republican3743 6
Total141141

Massachusetts

See main article: 2010 Massachusetts Senate election. All of the seats of the Massachusetts Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Massachusetts Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic3536 1
Republican54 1
Total4040
+colspan=5 Massachusetts House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic144130 14
Republican1530 15
Independent10 1
Total160160

Michigan

See main article: 2010 Michigan Senate election and 2010 Michigan House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the Michigan Legislature were up for election. Republicans won control of the House and maintained control of the Senate.

+colspan=5 Michigan Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2226 4
Democratic1612 4
Total3838
+colspan=5 Michigan House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican4363 20
Democratic6747 20
Total110110

Minnesota

See main article: 2010 Minnesota Senate election and 2010 Minnesota House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the Minnesota Legislature were up. Republicans won control of both chambers.

+colspan=5 Minnesota Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2137 16
Democratic (DFL)4630 16
Total6767
+colspan=5 Minnesota House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican4772 25
Democratic (DFL)8762 25
Total134134

Missouri

See main article: 2010 Missouri House of Representatives election. 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.

+colspan=5 Missouri Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2326 3
Democratic118 3
Total3434
+colspan=5 Missouri House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican89105 16
Democratic7458 16
Total163163

Montana

See main article: 2010 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 won control of the House and maintained control of the Senate.

+colspan=5 Montana Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2728 1
Democratic2322 1
Total5050
+colspan=5 Montana House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican5068 18
Democratic5032 18
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.

+colspan=5 Nebraska Legislature
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3032 2
Democratic1917 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 both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Nevada Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic1211 1
Republican910 1
Total2121
+colspan=5 Nevada Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2826 2
Republican1416 2
Total4242

New Hampshire

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

+colspan=5 New Hampshire Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican1019 9
Democratic145 9
Total2424
+colspan=5 New Hampshire House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican174298 124
Democratic216102 114
Total400400

New Mexico

See main article: 2010 New Mexico House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the New Mexico House of Representatives. Democrats maintained control of the chamber.

+colspan=5 New Mexico House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic4536 9
Republican2534 9
Total7070

New York

See main article: 2010 New York State Senate election. All of the seats of the New York Legislature were up for election. Republicans won control of the Senate, and Democrats maintained control of the Assembly.

+colspan=5 New York State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3032 2
Democratic3230 2
Total6262
+colspan=5 New York State Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic10799 8
Republican4150 9
Independence11
Working Families10 1
Total150150

North Carolina

See main article: 2010 North Carolina Senate election and 2010 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. Republicans won control of both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 North Carolina Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2031 11
Democratic3019 11
Total5050
+colspan=5 North Carolina House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican5267 15
Independent01 1
Democratic6852 16
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.

+colspan=5 North Dakota Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2635 9
Democratic-NPL2112 9
Total4747
+colspan=5 North Dakota House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican5869 11
Democratic-NPL3625 11
Total9494

Ohio

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

+colspan=5 Ohio Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2123 2
Democratic1210 2
Total3333
+colspan=5 Ohio House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican4659 13
Democratic5340 13
Total9999

Oklahoma

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

+colspan=5 Oklahoma Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2632 6
Democratic2216 6
Total4848
+colspan=5 Oklahoma House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican6270 8
Democratic3931 8
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 the Senate, and the House of Representatives became tied.

+colspan=5 Oregon State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic1816 2
Republican1214 2
Total3030
+colspan=5 Oregon House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic3630 6
Republican2430 6
Total6060

Pennsylvania

See main article: 2010 Pennsylvania Senate election and 2010 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 and won control of the House of Representatives.

+colspan=5 Pennsylvania State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3030
Democratic2020
Total5050
+colspan=5 Pennsylvania House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican99112 13
Democratic10491 13
Total203203

Rhode Island

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

+colspan=5 Rhode Island Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic3329 4
Republican48 4
Independent11
Total3838
+colspan=5 Rhode Island House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic6965 4
Republican610 4
Total7575

South Carolina

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

+colspan=5 South Carolina House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican7376 3
Democratic5148 3
Total124124

South Dakota

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

+colspan=5 South Dakota Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2130 9
Democratic145 9
Total3535
+colspan=5 South Dakota House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican4650 4
Democratic2419 5
Independent01 1
Total7070

Tennessee

See main article: 2010 Tennessee Senate election and 2010 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 maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Tennessee Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican1920 1
Democratic1413 1
Total3333
+colspan=5 Tennessee House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican5064 14
Democratic4834 14
Independent Republican11
Total9999

Texas

See main article: 2010 Texas Senate election and 2010 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.

+colspan=5 Texas Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican1919
Democratic1212
Total3131
+colspan=5 Texas House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican7799 22
Democratic7351 22
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.

+colspan=5 Utah State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2122 1
Democratic87 1
Total2929
+colspan=5 Utah House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican5358 5
Democratic2217 5
Total7575

Vermont

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

+colspan=5 Vermont Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2321 2
Republican78 1
Progressive01 1
Total3030
+colspan=5 Vermont House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic9494
Republican4848
Progressive55
Independent33
Total150150

Washington

See main article: 2010 Washington State Senate election and 2010 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.

+colspan=5 Washington State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic3127 4
Republican1822 4
Total4949
+colspan=5 Washington House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic6156 5
Republican3742 5
Total9898

West Virginia

See main article: 2010 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.

+colspan=5 West Virginia Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2628 2
Republican86 2
Total3434
+colspan=5 West Virginia House of Delegates
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic7165 6
Republican2935 6
Total100100

Wisconsin

See main article: 2010 Wisconsin Senate election and 2010 Wisconsin State Assembly election. All of the seats of the Wisconsin Assembly and half of the Wisconsin Senate were up for election. Republicans won control of both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Wisconsin Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican1519 4
Democratic1814 4
Total3333
+colspan=5 Wisconsin State Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican4660 13
Democratic5138 12
Independent21 1
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.

+colspan=5 Wyoming Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2326 3
Democratic74 3
Total3030
+colspan=5 Wyoming House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican4150 9
Democratic1910 9
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

+colspan=5 Guam Legislature
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic99
Republican66
Total1515

U.S. Virgin Islands

+colspan=5 Virgin Islands Legislature
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic1010
Independent55
Total1515

Washington, D.C.

+colspan=5 District of Columbia Council
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic1111
Independent22
Total1313

Notes and References

  1. News: State legislative gains give Republicans unprecedented clout to remake districts - Los Angeles Times . Articles.latimes.com . November 3, 2010 . June 4, 2013 . Michael A. . Memoli.
  2. News: The Republican takeover in the states . Washingtonpost.com . November 14, 2010. June 4, 2013 . Dan . Balz.
  3. Web site: Storey. Tim. GOP Makes Historic State Legislative Gains in 2010. Rasmussen Reports. Rasmussen Report, LLC. 29 July 2014.
  4. News: Cole. Michelle. Oregon House makes history by electing two co-speakers. 29 July 2014. The Oregonian. Jan 11, 2011.
  5. Web site: Devastation: GOP Picks Up 680 State Leg. Seats. November 4, 2010. November 4, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20121028132627/http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/11/devastation-gop.php. October 28, 2012. dead. mdy-all.
  6. Web site: Taylor . Jessica . November 16, 2010 . Democrats’ losses ran wide, deep . February 29, 2024 . Politico.
  7. Web site: Daigneau . Elizabeth . 2010-11-03 . 2010 State Legislatures: GOP Chalks Up Historic Gains . 2024-02-29 . Governing . en.
  8. Book: Daley, David . Ratf**ked . Liveright Publishing Corporation . 2017 . 978-1-63149-321-8 . New York, NY . xi–xxviii . en.
  9. Web site: 2018 Legislative Races by State and Legislative Chamber . National Conference of State Legislatures.
  10. Web site: Jacobson . Louis . July 7, 2010 . 2010 State Legislatures: Democrats Buckle Up for Wild Ride . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100728141936/http://www.governing.com/blogs/politics/2010-state-legislatures-democrats-wild-ride.html . July 28, 2010 . July 15, 2024 . Governing.
  11. Web site: Jacobson . Louis . September 29, 2010 . 2010 State Legislatures: Forecast Worsens for Democrats . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101205232729/http://www.governing.com/blogs/politics/2010-state-legislatures-forecast-worsens-democrats.html . December 5, 2010 . July 15, 2024 . Governing.
  12. Web site: Jacobson . Louis . November 1, 2010 . Update: 2010 State Legislatures: A Challenging Environment for Democrats . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101205220201/http://www.governing.com/blogs/politics/2010-state-legislatures.html . December 5, 2010 . July 14, 2024 . Governing.