State lawmaker political party switch snapshot


One hundred seventy-three (173) state legislators have switched political parties since 1994, according to analysis by Ballotpedia. Forty-seven (47) state senators and 126 state representatives have switched parties.

State lawmakers who switched from Democrat to Republican: 83

  • State senators: 24
  • State representatives: 59

State lawmakers who switched from Republican to Democrat: 23

  • State senators: 8
  • State representatives: 15

As of August 4, 2023, Republicans controlled 54.94% of all state legislative seats nationally, while Democrats held 44.35%. Republicans held a majority in 57 chambers, and Democrats held the majority in 40 chambers. Two chambers (Alaska House and Alaska Senate) were organized under multipartisan, power-sharing coalitions.

The most recent incumbent to change their party affiliation was Mississippi State Rep. Shanda Yates, who left the Democratic Party in January to become an independent.

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