Welcome to the Monday, November 22, Brew.
By: Samuel Wonacott
Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:
- The race for Congress in 2022 is just getting started—here’s how many candidates have declared so far
- Virginia becomes the third state with a split legislature
- Republicans win a mayoral office in South Carolina
Candidates running for Congress in 2022—an early look at the numbers
If you can believe it, the 2022 congressional midterm elections are less than one year away—and the races are already getting crowded! So far, Ballotpedia has tracked 1,452 candidates who have filed to run. Of those, 745 of those candidates are Republicans and while 576 are Democrats. There are 20 declared Libertarian candidates, and the remaining are Green Party, independents, or other parties.
Here are the states with the most declared congressional candidates:
- California (141)
- Florida (139)
- Texas (123)
- North Carolina (84)
- New York (70)
Here are the states with the fewest declared congressional candidates:
- Delaware, Vermont (one each)
- Hawaii, Louisiana, North Dakota, Rhode Island (two each)
- Maine (four)
- Nebraska, New Mexico, Rhode Island (five each)
- Kansas (six)
In 2022, all 435 House members and 34 Senators are up for election. Democrats currently control both the House and Senate.
In the House, the Democrats have a 221-213 advantage with one vacancy. In the Senate, there are 50 Republicans, 48 Democrats, and two independents who caucus with Democrats. As Senate President, Vice President Kamala Harris (D) can vote to break ties.
As of Nov. 19, six Senators and 26 House members have announced they are not seeking re-election in 2022.
If you missed our preview a few days ago of the nascent 2022 U.S. Senate battleground races, you can find that here.
Virginia to become the third state with a split legislature following 2021 general elections
As a result of the 2021 elections, Republicans gained a 52-48 majority in the Virginia House of Delegates. Democrats hold a 21-19 majority in the Virginia Senate. When the new General Assembly takes office in January, Virginia will join Alaska and Minnesota as the only states where control of two legislative chambers is split between parties.
Alaska’s Legislature has been under split control since the start of 2016, when Democrats successfully created a minority-led coalition in the Alaska House of Representatives. Republicans have held a majority in the Alaska Senate since 2012.
Minnesota’s Legislature has been under split control since 2019. Republicans control the Minnesota Senate, while Democrats control the Minnesota House of Representatives. The Legislature was also split from 2015-2016 and 1999-2006.
Across the rest of the country, Republicans hold majorities in both state legislative chambers in 30 states, while Democrats hold majorities in 17 states.
Republican wins mayoral runoff in Columbia, S.C.
Republicans picked up a mayoral office on Nov. 16 when Daniel Rickenmann defeated Tameika Isaac Devine 52% to 48% in the runoff election for mayor of Columbia, S.C. While mayoral elections in Columbia are officially nonpartisan, Rickenmann is affiliated with the Republican Party. Incumbent Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin, a Democrat, did not run for re-election. He endorsed Devine, also a Democrat, in the runoff.
Both Rickenmann and Devine are members of the Columbia City Council.
Fifteen state capitals held mayoral elections in 2021. Before these elections, 14 officeholders were Democrats and one was nonpartisan. As a result of the 2021 elections, at least 12 mayoral offices will remain under Democratic control (Atlanta, Georgia, will hold a runoff election between two Democrats on Nov. 30). One office continues to be held by a nonpartisan mayor, and one newly-elected mayor has not responded to inquiries.
Currently, the mayors of 39 state capitals are affiliated with the Democratic Party. Four are Republicans, one is independent, and two are nonpartisan. Four mayors have not responded to inquiries about their partisan affiliation.
In cities where mayoral elections are nonpartisan, Ballotpedia uses one or more of the following sources to identify each officeholder’s partisan affiliation: (1) direct communication from the officeholder, (2) current or previous candidacy for partisan office, or (3) identification of partisan affiliation by multiple media outlets.