Tag: State leg
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A look at contested state legislative primaries in Delaware
Delaware has 14 contested state legislative primaries this year, an 8% increase from 2020. Of the 14 contested primaries, there are 11 for Democrats and three for Republicans. For Democrats, this is down from 12 in 2020, an 8% decrease. For Republicans, the number is up 67% from one in 2020. Eight incumbents face primary…
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Rate of contested state legislative primaries increases in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has 44 contested state legislative primaries this year, 19% of the total number of possible primaries, and a 29% increase from 2020. The rate of contested primaries this year is at its highest point compared to the four preceding election cycles. Of the 44 contested primaries, there are 39 for Democrats and five…
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Open state legislative seats reach highest point in five election cycles
The number of open state legislative seats, those where no incumbents are running, is at its highest point in five election cycles. Open seats contribute to incumbent turnover. Since no incumbents are present every open seat is guaranteed to be won by a newcomer. There are 1,495 open seats this year, meaning at least 24%…
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28% of Florida state legislative incumbents face contested primaries
Thirty-two of the 114 Florida state legislators who filed for re-election—13 Democrats and 19 Republicans—will face contested primaries on Aug. 23. This represents 28% of incumbents who filed for re-election, the highest figure compared to the four preceding election cycles. A primary is contested when more candidates file than there are nominations available, meaning at…
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4.8% of state legislative incumbents who filed for re-election have lost in primaries
So far this year, 198 state legislative incumbents—54 Democrats and 144 Republicans—have lost to primary challengers. Across the 41 states that have held primaries, 4.8% of incumbents running for re-election have lost, an elevated level of incumbent losses compared to previous cycles. These totals include data from Hawaii, which held primaries on Aug. 13, as…
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July 2022 breakdown of state legislative party membership: 54.14% Republicans, 44.35% Democrats
According to Ballotpedia’s July partisan count of the 7,383 state legislative seats across the United States, 54.14% of all state legislators are Republicans and 44.35% are Democrats. Ballotpedia tallies the partisan balance of state legislatures at the end of every month. Republicans control 62 chambers, while Democrats hold 36. The Alaska House of Representatives is…
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How incumbent turnover will affect state legislatures next year
At least 1,607 incumbents will not be returning to their seats next year, representing an increase compared to recent election cycles, one that will alter the makeup of legislatures across the country. Ballotpedia uses a metric called “incumbent turnover” to determine how many incumbents are leaving office. This important figure tells us how many incumbents…
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Contested state legislative primaries reach highest point in five election cycles
Voters have been making more decisions in state legislative primaries this year than at any point in the past five election cycles. The number of contested state legislative primaries reached a high mark this year with 2,349 contested primaries representing 21% of all possible primaries, both the largest number and percentage of contested primaries compared…
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Missouri state legislative incumbents lost in primaries at an increased rate
Seven state legislative incumbents—four Democrats and three Republicans—lost to primary challengers on August 2. This represents 5.3% of incumbents who filed for re-election, the largest number and highest rate of incumbent primary defeats in the state in five election cycles. A list of incumbents defeated, all of whom were first elected to office within the…
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Primary watch: number of contested state legislative primaries is up 23% compared to 2020
There are 23% more contested state legislative primaries this year than in 2020, including 53% more Republican primaries and 8% more top-two/four primaries. Democratic primaries are down 10%. These figures include elections in 39 states that account for 5,011 of 6,166 state legislative seats up for election this year (81%). A primary is contested when…