Author: Nathan Maxwell
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New congressional maps in Florida, Tennessee aim to shift five more districts to Republicans ahead of 2026 midterms
Since the U.S. Supreme Court decided Louisiana v. Callais on April 29, two more states — Florida and Tennessee — have redrawn their congressional maps, Virginia’s map was blocked from certification by the Virginia Supreme Court, and the Alabama Legislature approved legislation that would set special primary elections in affected districts if courts roll back…
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Record high number of Republican senators lose Indiana primaries
Seven Republican state senators lost primary elections in Indiana on May 5, including six who voted against mid-decade redistricting. Two races remained uncalled as of May 6. One Republican state senator who voted against redistricting has won their primary so far — Greg Goode, who defeated two challengers, including President Donald Trump-endorsed Brenda Wilson. This…
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Chedrick Greene (D) defeated Jason Tunney (R) and Ali Sledz (L) in the special general election for Michigan Senate District 35
Chedrick Greene (D) defeated Jason Tunney (R) and Ali Sledz (L) to win the special general election for Michigan state Senate District 35 on May 5, 2026. Greene was elected to serve the remainder of Kristen McDonald Rivet's (D) term ending in January 2027. Rivet resigned the seat on January 3, 2025, after being elected…
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So far this year, fewer incumbent state legislators are retiring, but more are running in contested primary elections
Across 20 states with completed candidate filing data, 28% of incumbent state legislators are running in contested primaries this year — the second-highest share since 2010, trailing only 2022. At the same time, the share of open seats, at 15.9%, is the second-lowest since 2010. Among the 20 states with completed 2026 candidate-filing data —…
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Share of contested state legislative incumbents in North Dakota this year ties 2024's record high
In 2026, 38.5% of the state legislative incumbents running for election in North Dakota will face primary contests, tying 2024 for the highest share since 2010. In total, 20 incumbents face contested primaries across the North Dakota House and Senate. The average number of incumbents contested each election cycle since 2010 was 10. Nineteen of…
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Maryland's state legislative elections less competitive than recent cycles
Maryland’s state legislative elections will feature the fewest candidates, open seats, contested primaries, and contested incumbents of any election year since 2010. Twenty-four seats are open in Maryland’s state legislative elections this year, meaning no incumbents filed. That is the fewest open seats since 2010 and means newcomers will represent at least 13% of the…
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U.S. Supreme Court decides prominent redistricting case with implications for future map changes
On April 29, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a 6-3 decision in Louisiana v. Callais, ruling that Louisiana’s congressional map that added a second majority-Black district was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. In 2024, the Louisiana Legislature added the second majority-Black district in response to a previous lawsuit that argued the 2022 map diluted minority…
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Indiana's state legislative elections this year are the state's most competitive since 2010
Indiana’s state legislative elections this year are shaping up to be generally more competitive than previous years. Voters will see the greatest number of candidates, contested primaries, and contested incumbents of any election year since 2010. Indiana’s 2026 state legislative elections follow a December 2025 special legislative session in which the Indiana Senate voted against…
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DLCC and RSLC targeting 30 of the same chambers in 2026 state legislative elections
This year, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) and the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) — the parties’ national campaign arms for state legislatures — are focusing on the same 30 chambers. In total, the DLCC will target 43 chambers, and the RSLC will target 35 chambers. Ahead of this year’s state legislative elections, Republicans…
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Virginia the seventh state to redraw congressional district boundaries ahead of the 2026 elections
Virginia became the seventh state with new U.S. House district boundaries ahead of the 2026 elections when voters approved a constitutional amendment permitting mid-decade redistricting on April 21. Four other states—California, Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas—also adopted new maps voluntarily. Ohio was required by law to adopt a new map, and litigation led to a…