Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022
Is 2022 the first time since 1934 that the US president’s party retained its control of all state legislative chambers in a midterm election?
In the 2022 election, Democrats defended all of their state legislative majorities. This is the first time the U.S. president’s party has accomplished this in a midterm election since at least 1934.
Democrats also gained control in four state chambers: the Minnesota Senate, both chambers in Michigan and the Pennsylvania House.
Additionally, Democrats saw a net increase in state legislative seats. Since 1900, only twice had the incumbent president’s party accomplished this during a midterm election: in 1934, during the Great Depression, and in 2002, after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Despite these Democratic gains, Republicans continue to control more state legislative bodies and total state legislative seats.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee DLCC Makes Midterm History By Protecting Every Democratic Majority
- AP News Democrats buck midterm history to win control of 4 states
- National Conference of State Legislatures Dems Beat Odds and Expectations, Republican Control Still Dominant
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