With upcoming special elections for four vacant legislature seats in Kentucky possibly going to Republicans, the Democrats are at risk of being wiped out in the south. 67 of 98 – 68% – state chambers are under Republican-majority control.
Republicans also control 32 of 50 governorships – 64%.
The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza frames GOP gains in the realms of state government and governorships as, at least in part, a reaction to President Barack Obama’s presidency. Compared to previous presidential tenures, Democrats have suffered the largest hits to their control of state legislative seats.
Despite characterizing the Republican party as becoming “increasingly white, old, and out of step with the country on social issues,” Cillizza describes the GOP as “considerably more robust” than the Democratic Party at state and local levels.
Below is a map of party control of state governments.
Obama’s presidential tenure has also seen expansion of Republican control at the national legislative level. Democrats have dropped to a minority with 44 seats, down from a majority with 57 seats following the 2008 Senate elections. Conversely, Republicans have risen from 41 to 54 seats. In the House of Representatives, Democrats have dropped from 257 seats in 2009 to 188 seats in 2015. Conversely, Republicans have moved from 178 to 247 seats.
Below are maps illustrating Republican control of Congress.
H/T Amber Phillips and Chris Cillizza at The Washington Post
