GOP Makes Record Gains At State Leve

Republicans won big at the state level Tuesday, and now control a record 67 chambers across the country.

The previous all-time high was 64 chambers in 1920. In 27 states, Republicans control both chambers, and in 23 states they control both chambers and the governor’s mansion. Democrats have complete control of just seven.

Arkansas is one of those states, following Asa Hutchinson’s win in the governor’s race over Democrat Mike Ross. Democrats lost majorities in ten chambers, including the Colorado, Maine and New York state senates, plus both houses of West Virginia.

“Voters overwhelmingly elected a new, open, innovative future for their families by electing state-level Republicans in record numbers across the nation, including in traditionally blue states,” Republican State Leadership Committee President Matt Walter said in a statement.

Democrats have dominated state chambers for much of the past century with the help of a process of redistricting that occurs every 10 years following the national census. Democrats used that system to redraw district lines to their advantage.

More