The majority of national interest in this year’s midterm elections is centered on congressional and governor campaigns.
However, Democrats are making a concerted drive to gain power in state legislatures around the country, forcing Republicans to defend territory they have dominated in previous years.
The Democrats are on offensive. According to a Washington Post estimate, they may split up full Republican control in as many as six states while gaining unified control in up to seven of their own.
Republicans are on their heels, with the potential to disrupt complete Democratic rule.
State Races Shape Policy and Power
Given legislators’ capacity to make legislation impacting many elements of life and business, the outcomes in these state races may be more important to many voters than the results in federal campaigns.
Because Congress is frequently gridlocked and politics is increasingly politicized, states have been more active in filling the ensuing power vacuum.
A party with unified control of state government, known as a “trifecta,” is important for enacting legislative initiatives without the opposition’s support.
2026 State Elections Challenge Republican Control
Republicans have regularly controlled more state legislative seats than Democrats since the 2010 election, when they won roughly 700 seats and took control of 20 legislative chambers.
“2026 is proving to be a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Democrats to shift the balance of power away from Republicans,” Heather Williams, head of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, the party’s state legislative campaign arm, said in a statement.
The Republican State Leadership Committee refers to this year’s elections.
Potential trifectas
Democrats are aiming to win unified control of Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Nevada’s state governments in November.
| State | Governor | Senate | House/Assembly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota |
Democratic Solid Democratic |
34D — 33R |
67D — 67R +1D to control |
| Nevada |
Republican Toss-up |
13D — 8R | 27D — 15R |
| Pennsylvania |
Democratic Solid Democratic |
23D — 27R +3D to flip |
103D — 100R |
They are likely to be successful in Minnesota, where Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) is widely expected to win the governor’s race and Democrats control the state Senate. The state House is tied, 67-67.
Democrats have a more difficult climb in Pennsylvania, where they want to defend a narrow majority in the state House and capture the Senate, which is now controlled by Republicans.
Only half of the chamber’s members are up for election, which helps Republicans defend their 27-23 advantage.
Democrats haven’t won a trifecta in the state in decades, so November presents a unique chance.
Democrats Target State Trifectas in 2026
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), who is expected to comfortably win reelection, has campaigned for and given to Democratic candidates as he considers a presidential challenge.
Republicans’ state legislative campaign arm warned that if Democrats gain unified power, they may seek to alter congressional boundaries in Minnesota and Pennsylvania.
Minnesota’s districts are divided 4-4, while Pennsylvania’s are split 10-7 in favor of Republicans. Some Democrats in both states have raised the notion, but neither Shapiro nor Klobuchar have committed to doing so.
Democrats may potentially score a trifecta in Nevada if Attorney General Aaron Ford wins.
| State | Governor | Senate | House/Assembly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas |
Democratic Competitive, leans Republican |
9D — 31R | 37D — 88R |
2026 State Elections Could Reshape Political Power
The 2026 general election is set for November 3. Voters will decide governorships and legislative races, perhaps determining whether states have united party control.
The 2026 state elections may alter the balance of political power in numerous states. Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Kansas are among the most highly followed competitions.
The outcomes will decide state government power and may influence future policy choices and congressional redistricting.
