Sixty-eight state legislators ran for a different office in 2021 than the one to which they were elected. Of those 68 officials, 23 (34%) won election to a new position. In 2019, 69 state legislators who sought a different office. Thirty-two (46%) were successful in their elections. 

New York had the most legislators seeking another office, with 12, followed by Virginia, with 11. New Jersey and Ohio tied with eight apiece, followed by New Mexico, with five. 

Fifty-one percent of state representatives and 12% of state senators were successful in their bids for other elected office. Of the 68 state legislators, 21 were Republicans and 47 were Democrats. Republicans were more successful than Democrats at winning election to a new office, with 38% doing so compared to 32% of Democrats.

What follows is a breakdown of offices state legislators sought in 2021.

State Representatives

• Twenty (39%) ran for a state senate seat.
• Fourteen (27%) ran for a municipal office or school board seat.
• Seven (14%) ran for U.S. House seat.
• Seven (14%) ran for a non-gubernatorial state executive office (such as attorney general).
• Three (6%) ran for governor.

State Senators 

• Seven (41%) ran for a municipal office or school board seat.
• Six (35.29%) ran for a U.S. House seat.
• Two (12%) ran for governor.
• One (6%) ran for a county seat.
• One (6%) ran for a judicial office. 

In 2019, the 69 legislators who sought another office came from 19 states. Republican state legislators who ran for other offices were more successful than Democrats that year. Eighteen out of 34 (53%) Republican state legislators who ran for another office won election to a new position, while 14 out of 35 (40%) of Democratic state legislators who ran for another office were successful.