Democrats take control of key state legislatures, reshaping the map for a decade

The decade-long dominance of the Republican Party in the Senate, built on white working-class support, ended on Tuesday night.

Democrats won Senate seats in Georgia, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. These victories break the long-standing grip Republicans had on these states. The results shift the balance of power in state legislatures and federal courts for the next several years.

The electoral shift reversed the effects of mid-decade redistricting. Republicans appear likely to lose almost every House seat they redrew in the past two years. Exceptions include one seat in Louisiana and likely one each in Tennessee and Texas. The Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais had weakened the Voting Rights Act, but the redistricting strategy backfired in most states.

In Texas, James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa won the Senate and gubernatorial races, respectively. They secured major support from Latino voters, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley. This area voted for Donald Trump two years ago. The state results suggest Democrats may defeat four Republican state Supreme Court judges. They may also win control of the state Senate.

In North Carolina, Democrats took control of the state House and are positioned to break the Republican supermajority in the state Senate. Similar breaks in supermajorities occurred in Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and South Carolina. In Wisconsin, Democrats won control of both chambers of the state legislature. In Georgia, Democrats won the governorship for the first time in 26 years.

The losses for endorsed Republican candidates were severe. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton lost to Talarico. Sen. Darline Graham, who held her brother Lindsey Graham’s seat in South Carolina, lost her reelection bid. In North Carolina, former RNC Chair Michael Whatley lost, leading to a complete Republican wipeout in the state.

Donald Trump’s policies and public statements contributed to the backlash. The war with Iran drove up fuel prices and broke the promise to avoid a new Middle East conflict. Tariffs and the dismantling of USAID hurt farm communities in the Plains. A mass deportation campaign alienated Latino voters who supported Trump in 2024. His administration’s efforts to consolidate power and control elections also fueled voter dissatisfaction.

Trump’s closing message on Tuesday included praise for Ohio Sen. Jon Husted, who lost to Sherrod Brown. He dismissed inflation concerns, stating, “I don’t give a damn, I’m going to say it, we’re making a freaking fortune.” He delivered his final speech near the reflecting pool in Washington, a site that has become a symbol of his administration.

Democrats will hold Senate seats representing South Carolina, Texas, Iowa, and Kansas until 2032. This provides them with additional votes to pass legislation or block Republican initiatives. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia won reelection by nearly 20 points. In his victory speech, he said, “This moment is not for restoration, but for reformation.”