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2004 United States state legislative elections

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2004 United States state legislative elections

← 2003 November 2, 2004 2005 →

85 legislative chambers in 44 states
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Chambers before 53[a] 44[a]
Chambers after 50[b] 48
Overall change Decrease 3 Increase 4

Map of upper house elections:
     Democrats gained control      Democrats retained control
     Republicans gained control      Republicans retained control
     Split body formed
     Non-partisan legislature
     No regularly-scheduled elections

Map of lower house elections:
     Democrats gained control      Democrats retained control
     Republicans gained control      Republicans retained control
     Non-partisan legislature
     No regularly-scheduled elections

Elections to state legislatures were held on November 2, 2004, alongside other elections. Elections were held for 85 legislative chambers, with all states but Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, Alabama, Maryland, and Virginia holding elections in at least one house. Michigan and Minnesota held elections for their lower, but not upper houses.[1] Six chambers in three territories and the District of Columbia were up as well.

The 2004 elections created narrow legislative divisions across the country. Both parties flipped seats and chambers across the country, with most Democratic gains coming from the Northeast and West and most Republican gains coming from the South. Over 20 states featured statehouses controlled by fewer than four seats, and nearly 30 states featured divided governments. Both parties took advantage of heavy spending from 527 organizations.[2]

Republicans won control of four chambers from the Democrats. The institution of term limits contributed to the Republican takeover of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and favorable redistricting aided Republicans in winning the Georgia House of Representatives for the first time ever.[2] Republicans additionally won the Tennessee Senate, for the time since 1870, and the Indiana House of Representatives.[3][4]

Democrats performed better than Republicans overall at the state-legislative level, despite their defeat in the concurrent presidential election, winning control of eight additional chambers. Favorable redistricting enabled the Democratic takeover of the Montana Legislature and their retaking of control of the North Carolina House of Representatives, which was previously tied.[2] Additionally, they took control of the Washington Senate; the Oregon Senate, which was previously tied; both houses of the Colorado General Assembly for the first time since 1963, and the Vermont House of Representatives. The Iowa Senate became tied after previously being controlled by the Republicans prior to the election.[3][4] Democrats' takeover of the Montana House only came after the Montana Supreme Court declared a Democrat a victor in a contested election that evenly split the chamber. This gave Democrats control of the chamber with the help of incoming governor Brian Schweitzer.[5]

The Democrats also regained the title of holding the most legislative seats across the country, winning one more seat than the Republicans.[4]

Summary table

[edit]

Regularly-scheduled elections were held in 85 of the 99 state legislative chambers in the United States. Nationwide, regularly-scheduled elections were held for 6,015 of the 7,383 legislative seats. Many legislative chambers held elections for all seats, but some legislative chambers that use staggered elections held elections for only a portion of the total seats in the chamber.[6] The chambers not up for election either hold regularly-scheduled elections in odd-numbered years, or have four-year terms and hold all regularly-scheduled elections in presidential midterm election years.

Note that this table only covers regularly-scheduled elections; additional special elections took place concurrently with these regularly-scheduled elections.

State Upper House[6] Lower House[6]
Seats up Total % up Term Seats up Total % up Term
Alabama 0 35 0 4 0 105 0 4
Alaska 19 20 95 4 40 40 100 2
Arizona 30 30 100 2 60 60 100 2
Arkansas 35 35 100 2/4[c] 100 100 100 2
California 20 40 50 4 80 80 100 2
Colorado 18 35 51 4 65 65 100 2
Connecticut 36 36 100 2 151 151 100 2
Delaware 21 21 100 2/4[c] 41 41 100 2
Florida 40 40 100 2/4[c] 120 120 100 2
Georgia 56 56 100 2 180 180 100 2
Hawaii 25 25 100 2/4[c] 51 51 100 2
Idaho 35 35 100 2 70 70 100 2
Illinois 59 59 100 2/4[c] 118 118 100 2
Indiana 25 50 50 4 100 100 100 2
Iowa 25 50 50 4 100 100 100 2
Kansas 40 40 100 4 125 125 100 2
Kentucky 19 38 50 4 100 100 100 2
Louisiana 0 39 0 4 0 105 0 4
Maine 35 35 100 2 151 151 100 2
Maryland 0 47 0 4 0 141 0 4
Massachusetts 40 40 100 2 160 160 100 2
Michigan 0 38 0 4 110 110 100 2
Minnesota 0 67 0 2/4[c] 134 134 100 2
Mississippi 0 52 0 4 0 122 0 4
Missouri 17 34 50 4 163 163 100 2
Montana 25 50 50 4 100 100 100 2
Nebraska 25[d] 49[d] 51[d] 4 N/A (unicameral)
Nevada 10 21 48 4 42 42 100 2
New Hampshire 24 24 100 2 400 400 100 2
New Jersey 0 40 0 2/4[c] 0 80 0 2
New Mexico 42 42 100 4 70 70 100 2
New York 62 62 100 2 150 150 100 2
North Carolina 50 50 100 2 120 120 100 2
North Dakota 23 47 49 4 47 94 50 4
Ohio 16 33 48 4 99 99 100 2
Oklahoma 24 48 50 4 101 101 100 2
Oregon 15 30 50 4 60 60 100 2
Pennsylvania 25 50 50 4 203 203 100 2
Rhode Island 38 38 100 2 75 75 100 2
South Carolina 46 46 100 4 124 124 100 2
South Dakota 35 35 100 2 70 70 100 2
Tennessee 16 33 48 4 99 99 100 2
Texas 16 31 52 2/4[c] 150 150 100 2
Utah 15 29 52 4 75 75 100 2
Vermont 30 30 100 2 150 150 100 2
Virginia 0 40 0 4 0 100 0 2
Washington 25 49 51 4 98 98 100 2
West Virginia 17 34 50 4 100 100 100 2
Wisconsin 16 33 48 4 99 99 100 2
Wyoming 15 30 50 4 60 60 100 2
Total 1280 1971 65 N/A 4595 5411 85 N/A

Electoral predictions

[edit]

Analysts expected a high level of competitiveness among chambers held by both parties, although not to the same extent as the 2002 elections, which took place following most states' legislative redistricting. The application of newly enacted term limits in some states was expected to have little effect, with the exception of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and the close nature of the concurrent presidential election made the effects of potential presidential coattails difficult to predict.[7]

As the election progressed and George W. Bush's chances at winning re-election appeared to increase, outlooks changed on very few legislative chambers. Republicans made minor inroads in states in the South, especially in Oklahoma in the Georgia House of Representatives while Democrats appeared stronger in states in the Northeast and Northwest, such as Vermont and Washington. Due to the presidential election's heavy focus on foreign policy issues such as the Iraq War, the likelihood of coattails reaching all the way down to state legislative races appeared increasingly thin. The majority of state legislative chambers and individual races also remained out of reach for opposition parties due to the prevalence of partisan gerrymandering.[8]

Ratings are designated as follows:

  • "Tossup": Competitive, no advantage
  • "Lean": Competitive, slight advantage
  • "Likely": Not competitive, but opposition could make significant gains
  • "Safe": Not competitive at all
State Chamber Last

election

Rothenberg

Oct. 1, 2004[8]

Result
Alaska Senate R 12–8 Likely R R 12–8
House of Representatives R 27–13 Safe R R 26–14
Arizona Senate R 17–13 Likely R R 18–12
House of Representatives R 38–22 Likely R R 38–22
Arkansas Senate D 27–8 Safe D D 27–8
House of Representatives D 72–28 Safe D D 70–30
California State Senate D 25–15 Safe D D 25–15
State Assembly D 48–32 Safe D D 48–32
Colorado Senate R 18–17 Lean R D 18–17
House of Representatives R 37–28 Likely R D 35–30
Connecticut State Senate D 21–15 Safe D D 24–12
House of Representatives D 94–57 Safe D D 99–52
Delaware Senate D 13–8 Safe D D 13–8
House of Representatives R 29–12 Safe R R 26–15
Florida Senate R 26–14 Safe R R 26–14
House of Representatives R 81–39 Safe R R 84–36
Georgia State Senate R 30–26 Lean R R 34–22
House of Representatives D 107–72–1 Lean D R 99–80–1
Hawaii Senate D 20–5 Safe D D 20–5
House of Representatives D 36–15 Safe D D 41–10
Idaho Senate R 28–7 Safe R R 28–7
House of Representatives R 54–16 Safe R R 57–13
Illinois Senate D 32–26–1 Safe D D 31–27–1
House of Representatives D 66–52 Safe D D 65–53
Indiana Senate R 32–18 Safe R R 33–17
House of Representatives D 51–49 Tossup R 52–48
Iowa Senate R 29–21 Lean R 25–25
House of Representatives R 54–46 Lean R R 51–49
Kansas Senate R 30–10 Safe R R 30–10
House of Representatives R 80–45 Safe R R 83–42
Kentucky Senate R 21–17 Likely R R 22–15
House of Representatives D 65–35 Likely D D 57–43
Maine Senate D 18–17 Tossup D 18–17
House of Representatives D 80–67–3–1 Likely D D 76–73–1–1
Massachusetts Senate D 34–6 Safe D D 34–6
House of Representatives D 135–23–1 Safe D D 137–23
Michigan House of Representatives R 62–48 Likely R R 58–52
Minnesota House of Representatives R 81–53 Safe R R 68–66
Missouri Senate R 20–14 Likely R R 23–11
House of Representatives R 90–73 Likely R R 97–66
Montana Senate R 29–21 Lean R D 27–23
House of Representatives R 53–47 Lean R D 50–50
Nevada Senate R 13–8 Likely R R 12–9
Assembly D 23–19 Lean D D 26–16
New Hampshire Senate R 18–6 Safe R R 16–8
House of Representatives R 278–122 Safe R R 249–151
New Mexico Senate D 24–18 Likely D D 24–18
House of Representatives D 43–27 Safe D D 42–28
New York State Senate R 37–25 Safe R R 35–27
State Assembly D 102–48 Safe D D 104–46
North Carolina Senate D 28–22 Lean D D 29–21
House of Representatives R 61–59[e] Tossup D 63–57
North Dakota Senate R 31–16 Safe R R 32–15
House of Representatives R 66–28 Safe R R 67–27
Ohio Senate R 22–11 Safe R R 22–11
House of Representatives R 62–37 Safe R R 61–38
Oklahoma Senate D 28–20 Lean D D 26–22
House of Representatives D 53–48 Tossup R 57–44
Oregon State Senate 15–15 Lean D (flip) D 17–13
House of Representatives R 35–25 Likely R R 33–27
Pennsylvania State Senate R 29–21 Likely R R 30–20
House of Representatives R 110–93 Likely R R 110–93
Rhode Island Senate D 32–6 Safe D D 33–5
House of Representatives D 63–11–1 Safe D D 59–16
South Carolina Senate R 25–21 Safe R R 26–20
House of Representatives R 73–51 Safe R R 74–50
South Dakota Senate R 26–9 Safe R R 25–10
House of Representatives R 49–21 Safe R R 50–20
Tennessee Senate D 18–15 Lean D R 17–16
House of Representatives D 54–45 Lean D D 53–46
Texas Senate R 19–12 Safe R R 19–12
House of Representatives R 88–62 Safe R R 87–63
Utah State Senate R 22–7 Safe R R 21–8
House of Representatives R 56–19 Safe R R 56–19
Vermont Senate D 19–11 Safe D D 21–9
House of Representatives R 73–70–4–3 Tossup D 83–60–6–1
Washington State Senate R 25–24 Tossup D 26–23
House of Representatives D 52–46 Tossup D 55–43
West Virginia Senate D 24–10 Safe D D 21–13
House of Delegates D 68–32 Safe D D 68–32
Wisconsin Senate R 18–15 Likely R R 19–14
State Assembly R 58–41 Likely R R 60–39
Wyoming Senate R 20–10 Safe R R 23–7
House of Representatives R 45–15 Safe R R 46–14

Maps

[edit]

State summaries

[edit]

Alaska

[edit]

All of the seats of the Alaska House of Representatives and half of the Alaska Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both chambers.

Alaska Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 12 12 Steady
Democratic 8 8 Steady
Total 20 20
Alaska House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 27 26 Decrease 1
Democratic 13 14 Increase 1
Total 40 40

Arizona

[edit]

All of the seats of the Arizona Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Arizona Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 17 18 Increase 1
Democratic 13 12 Decrease 1
Total 30 30
Arizona House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 39 38 Decrease 1
Democratic 20 22 Increase 2
Independent 1 0 Decrease 1
Total 60 60

Arkansas

[edit]

All of the seats of the Arkansas House of Representatives and half of the Arkansas Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Arkansas Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 27 27 Steady
Republican 8 8 Steady
Total 35 35
Arkansas House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 70 72 Increase 2
Republican 30 28 Decrease 2
Total 100 100

California

[edit]

All of the seats of the California House of Representatives and half of the California Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

California State Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 25 25 Steady
Republican 15 15 Steady
Total 40 40
California State Assembly
Party Before After Change
Democratic 48 48 Steady
Republican 32 32 Steady
Total 80 80

Colorado

[edit]

All of the seats of the Colorado House of Representatives and half of the Colorado Senate were up for election. Democrats won control of both chambers from the Republicans.

Colorado Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 17 18 Increase 1
Republican 18 17 Decrease 1
Total 35 35
Colorado House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 28 35 Increase 7
Republican 37 30 Decrease 7
Total 65 65

Connecticut

[edit]

All of the seats of the Connecticut Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Connecticut State Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 21 24 Increase 3
Republican 15 12 Decrease 3
Total 36 36
Connecticut House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 94 99 Increase 5
Republican 57 52 Decrease 5
Total 151 151

Delaware

[edit]

All of the seats of the Delaware House of Representatives and half of the Delaware Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the Senate while Republicans maintained control of the House.

Delaware Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 13 13 Steady
Republican 8 8 Steady
Total 21 21
Delaware House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 29 26 Decrease 3
Democratic 12 15 Increase 3
Total 41 41

Florida

[edit]

All of the seats of the Florida House of Representatives and half of the Florida Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Florida Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 26 26 Steady
Democratic 14 14 Steady
Total 40 40
Florida House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 81 84 Increase 3
Democratic 35 42 Decrease 3
Total 120 120

Georgia

[edit]

All of the seats of the Georgia Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate and won control of the House.

Georgia State Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 34 34 Steady
Democratic 22 22 Steady
Total 56 56
Georgia House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 74 99 Increase 25
Democratic 105 80 Decrease 25
Independent 1 1 Steady
Total 180 180

Hawaii

[edit]

All of the seats of the Hawaii House of Representatives and half of the Hawaii Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Hawaii Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 20 20 Steady
Republican 5 5 Steady
Total 25 25
Hawaii House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 36 41 Increase 5
Republican 15 10 Decrease 5
Total 51 51

Idaho

[edit]

All of the seats of the Idaho Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Idaho Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 28 28 Steady
Democratic 7 7 Steady
Total 35 35
Idaho House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 54 57 Increase 3
Democratic 16 13 Decrease 3
Total 70 70

Illinois

[edit]

All of the seats of the Illinois House of Representatives and 2/3rds of the Illinois Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Illinois Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 32 31 Decrease 1
Republican 26 27 Increase 1
Independent 1 1 Steady
Total 59 59
Illinois House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 66 65 Decrease 1
Republican 52 53 Increase 1
Total 118 118

Indiana

[edit]

All of the seats of the Indiana House of Representatives and half of the Indiana Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate and gained control of the House of Representatives.

Indiana Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 32 33 Increase 1
Democratic 18 17 Decrease 1
Total 50 50
Indiana House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 49 52 Increase 3
Democratic 51 48 Decrease 3
Total 100 100

Iowa

[edit]

All of the seats of the Iowa House of Representatives and half of the Iowa Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the House while the Senate became tied.

Iowa Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 29 25 Decrease 4
Democratic 21 25 Increase 4
Total 50 50
Iowa House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 54 51 Decrease 3
Democratic 46 59 Increase 3
Total 100 100

Kansas

[edit]

All of the seats of the Kansas Senate and Kansas House of Representatives were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both chambers.

Kansas Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 30 30 Steady
Democratic 10 10 Steady
Total 40 40
Kansas House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 80 83 Increase 3
Democratic 45 42 Decrease 3
Total 125 125

Kentucky

[edit]

All of the seats of the Kentucky House of Representatives and half of the Kentucky Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate and Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.

Kentucky Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 22 22[f] Steady
Democratic 16 15 Decrease 1
Total 38 37 Decrease 1
Kentucky House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 65 57 Decrease 8
Republican 35 43 Increase 8
Total 100 100

Maine

[edit]

All of the seats of the Maine Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Maine Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 18 18 Steady
Republican 17 17 Steady
Total 35 35
Maine House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 80 76 Decrease 4
Republican 67 73 Increase 6
Independent 3 1 Decrease 2
Green 1 1 Steady
Total 151 151

Massachusetts

[edit]

All of the seats of the Massachusetts Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Massachusetts Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 33 34 Increase 1
Republican 7 6 Decrease 1
Total 40 40
Massachusetts House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 135 139 Increase 4
Republican 23 20 Decrease 3
Independent 1 1 Steady
Total 160 160

Michigan

[edit]

All of the seats of the Michigan House of Representatives were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the House.

Michigan House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 62 58 Decrease 4
Democratic 48 52 Increase 4
Total 110 110

Minnesota

[edit]

All of the seats of the Minnesota House of Representatives were up. Republicans maintained control of the House.

Minnesota House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 81 68 Decrease 13
Democratic (DFL) 53 66 Increase 13
Total 134 134

Missouri

[edit]

All of the seats of the Missouri House of Representatives and half of the Missouri Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Missouri Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 20 23 Increase 3
Democratic 14 11 Decrease 3
Total 34 34
Missouri House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 90 97 Increase 7
Democratic 73 66 Decrease 7
Total 163 163

Montana

[edit]

All of the seats of the Montana House of Representatives and half of the Montana Senate were up for election. Democrats flipped control of both chambers.

Montana Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 21 27 Increase 6
Republican 29 23 Decrease 6
Total 50 50
Montana House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 47 50[g] Increase 3
Republican 53 50 Decrease 3
Total 100 100

Nebraska

[edit]

Nebraska is the only U.S. state with a unicameral legislature; half of the seats of the Nebraska Legislature were up for election. Nebraska is also unique in that its legislature is officially non-partisan and holds non-partisan elections, although the Democratic and Republican parties each endorse legislative candidates. Republicans maintained control.

Nebraska Legislature
Party Before After Change
Republican 34 32 Decrease 2
Democratic 13 15 Increase 2
Independent 2 2 Steady
Total 49 49

Nevada

[edit]

All of the seats of the Nevada House of Representatives and half of the Nevada Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the House while Republicans maintained control of the Senate.

Nevada Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 13 12 Decrease 1
Democratic 8 9 Increase 1
Total 21 21
Nevada Assembly
Party Before After Change
Democratic 23 26 Increase 3
Republican 19 16 Decrease 3
Total 42 42

New Hampshire

[edit]

All of the seats of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and the New Hampshire Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both chambers.

New Hampshire Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 18 16 Decrease 2
Democratic 6 8 Increase 2
Total 24 24
New Hampshire House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 278 249 Decrease 29
Democratic 122 151 Increase 29
Total 400 400

New Mexico

[edit]

All of the seats of the New Mexico Legislature were up for election; Democrats maintained control of both chambers.

New Mexico Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 24 24 Steady
Republican 18 18 Steady
Total 42 42
New Mexico House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 43 42 Decrease 1
Republican 27 28 Increase 1
Total 70 70

New York

[edit]

All of the seats of the New York Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate while Democrats maintained control of the Assembly.

New York State Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 37 35 Decrease 2
Democratic 25 27 Increase 2
Total 62 62
New York State Assembly
Party Before After Change
Democratic 102 104 Increase 2
Republican 48 46 Decrease 2
Total 150 150

North Carolina

[edit]

All of the seats of the North Carolina House of Representatives and half of the North Carolina Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the Senate and gained control of the House.

North Carolina Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 28 29 Increase 1
Republican 22 21 Decrease 1
Total 50 50
North Carolina House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 59 63 Increase 4
Republican 61 57 Decrease 4
Total 120 120

North Dakota

[edit]

All of the seats of the North Dakota House of Representatives and half of the North Dakota Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

North Dakota Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 31 32 Increase 1
Democratic-NPL 16 15 Decrease 1
Total 47 47
North Dakota House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 66 67 Increase 1
Democratic-NPL 28 27 Decrease 1
Total 94 94

Ohio

[edit]

All of the seats of the Ohio House of Representatives and half of the Ohio Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both chambers.

Ohio Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 22 22 Steady
Democratic 11 11 Steady
Total 33 33
Ohio House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 62 61 Decrease 1
Democratic 37 38 Increase 1
Total 99 99

Oklahoma

[edit]

All of the seats of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and half of the Oklahoma Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the Senate while Republicans won control of the House.

Oklahoma Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 28 26 Decrease 2
Republican 20 22 Increase 2
Total 48 48
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 48 57 Increase 9
Democratic 53 44 Decrease 9
Total 101 101

Oregon

[edit]

All of the seats of the Oregon House of Representatives and half of the Oregon Senate were up for election. Democrats won control of the Senate while Republicans maintained control of the House.

Oregon State Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 15 17 Increase 2
Republican 15 13 Decrease 2
Total 30 30
Oregon House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 35 33 Decrease 2
Democratic 25 27 Increase 2
Total 60 60

Pennsylvania

[edit]

All of the seats of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and half of the Pennsylvania Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both chambers.

Pennsylvania State Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 29 30 Increase 1
Democratic 21 20 Decrease 1
Total 50 50
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 109 110 Increase 1
Democratic 94 93 Decrease 1
Total 203 203

Rhode Island

[edit]

All of the seats of the Rhode Island Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Rhode Island Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 32 33 Increase 1
Republican 6 5 Decrease 1
Total 38 38
Rhode Island House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 63 59 Decrease 4
Republican 11 16 Increase 5
Independent 1 0 Decrease 1
Total 75 75

South Carolina

[edit]

All of the seats of the South Carolina Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both chambers.

South Carolina Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 26 26 Steady
Democratic 20 20 Steady
Total 46 46
South Carolina House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 73 74 Increase 1
Democratic 51 50 Decrease 1
Total 124 124

South Dakota

[edit]

All of the seats of the South Dakota Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

South Dakota Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 26 25 Decrease 1
Democratic 9 10 Increase 1
Total 35 35
South Dakota House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 49 51 Increase 2
Democratic 21 19 Decrease 2
Total 70 70

Tennessee

[edit]

All of the seats of the Tennessee House of Representatives and half of the Tennessee Senate were up for election. Republicans gained control of the Senate while Democrats maintained control of the House.

Tennessee Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 15 17 Increase 2
Democratic 18 16 Decrease 2
Total 33 33
Tennessee House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 54 53 Decrease 1
Republican 45 46 Increase 1
Total 99 99

Texas

[edit]

All of the seats of the Texas House of Representatives and half of the Texas Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Texas Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 19 19 Steady
Democratic 12 12 Steady
Total 31 31
Texas House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 88 87 Decrease 1
Democratic 62 63 Increase 1
Total 150 150

Utah

[edit]

All of the seats of the Utah House of Representatives and half of the Utah Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Utah State Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 22 21 Decrease 1
Democratic 7 8 Increase 1
Total 29 29
Utah House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 56 56 Steady
Democratic 19 19 Steady
Total 75 75

Vermont

[edit]

All of the seats of the Vermont Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the Senate and won control of the House.

Vermont Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 19 21 Increase 2
Republican 11 9 Decrease 2
Total 30 30
Vermont House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 69 83 Increase 14
Republican 74 60 Decrease 14
Progressive 4 6 Increase 2
Independent 3 1 Decrease 2
Total 150 150

Washington

[edit]

All of the seats of the Washington House of Representatives and half of the Washington Senate were up for election. Democrats won control of the Senate and maintained control of the House.

Washington State Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 24 26 Increase 2
Republican 25 23 Decrease 2
Total 49 49
Washington House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 52 55 Increase 3
Republican 46 43 Decrease 3
Total 98 98

West Virginia

[edit]

All of the seats of the West Virginia House of Delegates and half of the West Virginia Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

West Virginia Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 24 21 Decrease 3
Republican 10 13 Increase 3
Total 34 34
West Virginia House of Delegates
Party Before After Change
Democratic 68 68 Steady
Republican 32 32 Steady
Total 100 100

Wisconsin

[edit]

All of the seats of the Wisconsin Assembly and half of the Wisconsin Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both chambers.

Wisconsin Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 18 19 Increase 1
Democratic 15 14 Decrease 1
Total 33 33
Wisconsin State Assembly
Party Before After Change
Republican 58 60 Increase 2
Democratic 41 39 Decrease 2
Total 99 99

Wyoming

[edit]

All of the seats of the Wyoming House of Representatives and half of the Wyoming Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Wyoming Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 20 23 Increase 3
Democratic 10 7 Decrease 3
Total 30 30
Wyoming House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 45 46 Increase 1
Democratic 15 14 Decrease 1
Total 60 60

Territorial and federal district summaries

[edit]

American Samoa

[edit]

All of the seats of the American Samoa Senate and the American Samoa House of Representatives were up for election. Members of the Senate serve four-year terms, while members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms. Gubernatorial and legislative elections are conducted on a nonpartisan basis in American Samoa.

Guam

[edit]

All of the seats of the unicameral Legislature of Guam were up for election. All members of the legislature serve a two-year term. Democrats lost control of the legislature.

Guam Legislature
Party Before After Change
Democratic 9 6 Decrease 3
Republican 6 9 Increase 3
Total 15 15

Puerto Rico

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All of the seats of the Senate of Puerto Rico and the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico are up for election. Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives both serve four-year terms. The New Progressive Party won control of both chambers.

Puerto Rico Senate
Party Before After Change
Popular Democratic 19 11 Decrease 7
New Progressive 8 15 Increase 7
Puerto Rican Independence 1 1 Steady
Total 27 27
Puerto Rico House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Popular Democratic 29 18 Decrease 11
New Progressive 21 32 Increase 11
Puerto Rican Independence 1 1 Steady
Total 51 51

Washington, D.C.

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The Council of the District of Columbia serves as the legislative branch of the federal district of Washington, D.C. Half of the council seats are up for election. Council members serve four-year terms. Democrats retained supermajority control of the council.

District of Columbia Council
Party Before After Change
Democratic 11 11 Steady
Republican 1 1 Steady
Independent 1 1 Steady
Total 13 13

Notes

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  1. ^ a b The Oregon Senate and North Carolina House of Representatives were tied prior to the election. Thus, they are not included in this total.
  2. ^ The Iowa Senate became tied. Thus, it is not included in the final total.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h The upper houses of Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Texas use a 2-4-4 term length system.
  4. ^ a b c These figures represent the seats of Nebraska's unicameral legislature.
  5. ^ Excludes representative Michael P. Decker's temporary stint as a Democrat which tied the chamber for much of the 2003–2004 legislative session.
  6. ^ One elected Republican's seat was declared vacant due to residency issues.[9]
  7. ^ The Democratic Party controlled the chamber by virtue of holding the governor's office.

References

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  1. ^ "State legislative elections, 2004".
  2. ^ a b c Prah, Pamela M. (November 15, 2007). "2004 elections set up year of legislative stalemate". stateline.org. Archived from the original on November 7, 2008. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  3. ^ a b Madigan, Erin; Kelderman, Eric (November 5, 2004). "GOP Loses Ground in Statehouse Control". pew.org. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  4. ^ a b c Storey, Tim (2005). "2004 legislative elections". Spectrum: The Journal of State Government. 78 (1): 8 – via Gale Academic OneFile.
  5. ^ Robbins, Jim (2004-12-29). "Ruling Puts Democrats in Control in Montana". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  6. ^ a b c "2020 Legislative Races by State and Legislative Chamber". National Conference of State Legislatures.
  7. ^ Jacobson, Louis (July 9, 2004). "Handicapping the State Legislatures: A 50-State Preview". The Rothenberg Political Report: 7–10 – via Harvard Dataverse.
  8. ^ a b Jacobson, Louis (October 1, 2004). "Handicapping the State Legislatures: A 50-State Preview". The Rothenberg Political Report: 7–10 – via Harvard Dataverse.
  9. ^ "Democrats win two special elections in Louisville". The Lexington Herald-Leader. February 15, 2006. p. B6.