2008 United States state legislative elections

For related races, see 2008 United States elections.

2008 United States state legislative elections
November 4, 2008
85 legislative chambers in 44 states
  Majority party Minority party Third party
 
Party Democratic Republican Coalition
Chambers before 58 39[a] 1[b]
Chambers after 61 37 1[b]
Overall change 3 2
Map of upper house elections:
     Democrats gained control      Democrats retained control
     Republicans gained control      Republicans retained control
     Coalition retained control
     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 4, 2008, alongside other elections, in which Democrats scored significant gains in a blue wave election. 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] Seven territorial chambers in four territories and the District of Columbia were up.

The New Hampshire Senate saw the election of the first-ever female majority. This is the first time this has occurred in any chamber of any state legislature in United States history.[2] In New York, the Democrats obtained a trifecta for the first time since 1935, and in Delaware for the first time since 1977.[3]

The Democrats took control of six legislative bodies to the Republicans' four. Democrats took control of the Delaware House of Representatives, for the first time since 1985, the Montana House of Representatives, the Nevada Senate, and the New York State Senate, for the first time since 1966, the Ohio House of Representatives, and the Wisconsin State Assembly. Republicans took control of the Montana Senate; both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly,[4] for the first time since 1870; and the Oklahoma Senate, for the first time in state history. With the Montana Senate and the Montana House of Representatives flipping, this election cycle marked the last time in U.S. history as of 2025 where the upper house and lower house held by different political parties in a state legislature both flipped in the same cycle.

Summary table

Regularly-scheduled elections were held in 85 of the 99 state legislative chambers in the United States. Nationwide, regularly-scheduled elections were held for 5,948 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.[5] 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[5] Lower House[5]
Seats up Total % up Term Seats up Total % up Term
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 0 100 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

Analysts expected Democrats to perform quite well, owing to the strong polling of Democrat Barack Obama in the concurrent presidential election. Despite this, they expected Democrats to only be able to pick up a net handful of chambers from the Republicans owing to the highs they had already reached during the 2006 elections. They saw Democrats' best pickup opportunities in chambers in midwestern presidential battleground states such as the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Ohio House of Representatives, as well as Republican-held chambers in strongly-Democratic states, such as the Delaware House of Representatives and the New York State Senate. Despite Obama's large polling lead, Republicans were expected to be able to win a few chambers in southern states where his potential coattails were seen as weaker in rural areas, such as the Oklahoma Senate and the Tennessee Senate.[6]

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

Stateline

Oct. 15, 2008[6]

Result
Alaska Senate Coal. 15–5 Tossup Coal. 16–4
House of Representatives R 23–17 Likely R R 22–18
Arizona Senate R 17–13 Lean R R 18–12
House of Representatives R 33–27 Tossup R 35–25
Arkansas Senate D 27–8 Safe D D 27–8
House of Representatives D 72–28 Safe D D 71–28–1
California State Senate D 25–15 Safe D D 25–15
State Assembly D 48–32 Safe D D 50–29–1
Colorado Senate D 20–15 Lean D D 21–14
House of Representatives D 39–26 Likely D D 38–27
Connecticut State Senate D 24–12 Safe D D 24–12
House of Representatives D 107–44 Safe D D 114–37
Delaware Senate D 13–8 Safe D D 16–5
House of Representatives R 23–18 Lean D (flip) D 24–17
Florida Senate R 26–14 Safe R R 26–14
House of Representatives R 78–42 Safe R R 76–44
Georgia State Senate R 34–22 Safe R R 34–22
House of Representatives R 106–74 Safe R R 105–74–1
Hawaii Senate D 20–5 Safe D D 23–2
House of Representatives D 43–8 Safe D D 45–6
Idaho Senate R 28–7 Safe R R 28–7
House of Representatives R 51–19 Safe R R 52–18
Illinois Senate D 37–22 Likely D D 37–22
House of Representatives D 66–52 Likely D D 70–48
Indiana Senate R 33–17 Safe R R 33–17
House of Representatives D 51–49 Tossup D 52–48
Iowa Senate D 30–20 Likely D D 32–18
House of Representatives D 54–46 Likely D D 57–43
Kansas Senate R 30–10 Safe R R 31–9
House of Representatives R 78–47 Safe R R 77–48
Kentucky Senate R 21–16–1 Likely R R 22–15–1
House of Representatives D 61–39 Safe D D 65–35
Maine Senate D 18–17 Tossup D 20–15
House of Representatives D 90–59–2 Safe D D 95–55–1
Massachusetts Senate D 35–5 Safe D D 35–5
House of Representatives D 141–19 Safe D D 144–15–1
Michigan House of Representatives D 58–52 Lean D D 67–43
Minnesota House of Representatives D 85–49 Safe D D 87–47
Missouri Senate R 21–13 Likely R R 23–11
House of Representatives R 92–71 Likely R R 89–74
Montana Senate D 26–24[e] Lean R (flip) R 27–23
House of Representatives R 50–49–1 Tossup D 50–50
Nevada Senate R 11–10 Tossup D 12–9
Assembly D 27–15 Safe D D 28–14
New Hampshire Senate D 14–10 Tossup D 14–10
House of Representatives D 239–160–1 Lean D D 225–175
New Mexico Senate D 24–18 Safe D D 27–15
House of Representatives D 42–28 Safe D D 45–25
New York State Senate R 33–29 Lean D (flip) D 32–30
State Assembly D 106–42–1–1 Safe D D 107–41–1–1
North Carolina Senate D 31–19 Lean D D 30–20
House of Representatives D 68–52 Likely D D 68–52
North Dakota Senate R 26–21 Tossup R 26–21
House of Representatives R 61–33 Likely R R 58–36
Ohio Senate R 21–12 Likely R R 21–12
House of Representatives R 53–46 Tossup D 53–46
Oklahoma Senate D 24–24 Lean R (flip) R 26–22
House of Representatives R 57–44 Likely R R 61–40
Oregon State Senate D 19–11 Safe D D 18–12
House of Representatives D 31–29 Likely D D 36–24
Pennsylvania State Senate R 29–21 Safe R R 30–20
House of Representatives D 102–101 Tossup D 104–99
Rhode Island Senate D 33–5 Safe D D 33–4–1
House of Representatives D 60–15 Safe D D 69–6
South Carolina Senate R 26–20 Safe R R 27–19
House of Representatives R 73–51 Safe R R 73–51
South Dakota Senate R 20–15 Lean R R 21–14
House of Representatives R 50–20 Safe R R 46–24
Tennessee Senate 16–16–1[f] Lean R (flip) R 19–14
House of Representatives D 53–46 Lean D R 50–49
Texas Senate R 20–11 Safe R R 19–12
House of Representatives R 81–69 Lean R R 76–74
Utah State Senate R 21–8 Safe R R 21–8
House of Representatives R 55–20 Safe R R 53–22
Vermont Senate D 23–7 Safe D D 23–7
House of Representatives D 93–49–6–2 Safe D D 94–48–5–3
Washington State Senate D 32–17 Safe D D 31–18
House of Representatives D 62–36 Safe D D 62–36
West Virginia Senate D 23–11 Safe D D 26–8
House of Delegates D 72–28 Safe D D 71–29
Wisconsin Senate D 18–15 Lean D D 18–15
State Assembly R 52–47 Tossup D 52–46–1
Wyoming Senate R 23–7 Safe R R 23–7
House of Representatives R 43–17 Safe R R 41–19

Maps

  • Partisan control of state governments after the 2008 elections:
      Democrats maintained trifecta
      Democrats gained trifecta
      Republicans maintained trifecta
      Divided government maintained
      Divided government established
      Officially non-partisan legislature
  • Upper house seats by party holding majority in each state
  • Lower house seats by party holding majority in each state
  • Net changes to upper house seats after the 2008 elections
         +1 Dem seat      +2 Dem seats      +3 Dem seats
         +1 Rep seat      +2 Rep seats      +3 Rep seats
         +1 Ind seat
  • Net changes to lower house seats after the 2008 elections
         +1 Dem seat      +2 Dem seats      +3–5 Dem seats      +6–9 Dem seats
         +1 Rep seat      +2 Rep seats      +4 Rep seats      +15 Rep seats
         +1 Ind seat      +1 Green seat

State summaries

Alaska

All of the seats of the Alaska House of Representatives and half of the Alaska Senate were up for election. The Democratic-led coalition maintained control of the Senate while Republicans maintained control of the House.

Alaska Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 9 10 1
Republican 6 6 1
5 4
Total 20 20
Alaska House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 23 22 1
Democratic 17 18 1
Total 40 40

Arizona

Main articles: 2008 Arizona Senate election and 2008 Arizona House of Representatives election

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 1
Democratic 13 12 1
Total 30 30
Arizona House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 33 35 2
Democratic 27 25 2
Total 60 60

Arkansas

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
Republican 8 8
Total 35 35
Arkansas House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 72 71 1
Republican 28 28
Green 0 1 1
Total 100 100

California

Main articles: 2008 California State Senate election and 2008 California State Assembly election

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
Republican 15 15
Total 40 40
California State Assembly
Party Before After Change
Democratic 48 50 2
Republican 32 29 3
Independent 0 1 1
Total 80 80

Colorado

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

Colorado Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 20 21 1
Republican 15 14 1
Total 35 35
Colorado House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 39 38 1
Republican 26 27 1
Total 65 65

Connecticut

Main articles: 2008 Connecticut State Senate election and 2008 Connecticut House of Representatives election

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 23 24 1
Republican 13 12 1
Total 36 36
Connecticut House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 107 114 7
Republican 44 37 7
Total 151 151

Delaware

Main articles: 2008 Delaware Senate election and 2008 Delaware House of Representatives election

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 and won control of the House.

Delaware Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 13 16 3
Republican 8 5 3
Total 21 21
Delaware House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 18 24 6
Republican 23 17 6
Total 41 41

Florida

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
Democratic 14 14
Total 40 40
Florida House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 77 76 1
Democratic 43 44 1
Total 120 120

Georgia

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

Georgia State Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 34 34
Democratic 22 22
Total 56 56
Georgia House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 106 105 1
Democratic 74 74
Independent 0 1 1
Total 180 180

Hawaii

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 23 3
Republican 5 2 3
Total 25 25
Hawaii House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 43 45 2
Republican 8 6 2
Total 51 51

Idaho

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
Democratic 7 7
Total 35 35
Idaho House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 51 52 1
Democratic 19 18 1
Total 70 70

Illinois

Main articles: 2008 Illinois Senate election and 2008 Illinois House of Representatives election

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 37 37
Republican 22 22
Total 59 59
Illinois House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 67 70 3
Republican 51 48 3
Total 118 118

Indiana

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 while Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.

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

Iowa

Main articles: 2008 Iowa Senate election and 2008 Iowa House of Representatives election

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

Iowa Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 30 32 2
Republican 20 18 2
Total 50 50
Iowa House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 54 57 3
Republican 46 43 3
Total 100 100

Kansas

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

Kansas Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 30 31 1
Democratic 10 9 1
Total 40 40
Kansas House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 78 77 1
Democratic 47 48 1
Total 125 125

Kentucky

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
Independent 1 1
Democratic 15 15
Total 38 38
Kentucky House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 63 65 2
Republican 37 35 2
Total 100 100

Maine

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 20 2
Republican 17 15 2
Total 35 35
Maine House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 90 95 5
Republican 59 55 4
Independent 2 1 1
Total 151 151

Massachusetts

Main articles: 2008 Massachusetts Senate election and 2008 Massachusetts House of Representatives election

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 35 35
Republican 5 5
Total 40 40
Massachusetts House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 144 144
Republican 15 15
Independent 1 1
Total 160 160

Michigan

Main article: 2008 Michigan House of Representatives election

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

Michigan House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 58 67 9
Republican 52 43 9
Total 110 110

Minnesota

Main article: 2008 Minnesota House of Representatives election

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

Minnesota House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic (DFL) 85 87 2
Republican 48 47 1
Independent Republican 1 0 1
Total 134 134

Missouri

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 21 23 2
Democratic 13 11 2
Total 34 34
Missouri House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 92 89 3
Democratic 71 74 3
Total 163 163

Montana

Main articles: 2008 Montana Senate election and 2008 Montana House of Representatives election

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

Montana Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 24 27 3
Democratic 26 23 3
Total 50 50
Montana House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 49 50[g] 1
Republican 50 50
Constitution 1 0 1
Total 100 100

Nebraska

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 30 31 1
Democratic 17 18 1
Independent 2 0 2
Total 49 49

Nevada

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 and won control of the Senate.

Nevada Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 10 12 2
Republican 11 9 2
Total 21 21
Nevada Assembly
Party Before After Change
Democratic 27 28 1
Republican 15 14 1
Total 42 42

New Hampshire

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

New Hampshire Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 14 14
Republican 10 10
Total 24 24
New Hampshire House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 239 225 14
Republican 160 175 15
Independent 1 0 1
Total 400 400

New Mexico

Main articles: 2008 New Mexico Senate election and 2008 New Mexico House of Representatives election

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

New Mexico Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 24 27 3
Republican 18 15 3
Total 42 42
New Mexico House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 42 45 3
Republican 28 25 3
Total 70 70

New York

Main articles: 2008 New York State Senate election and 2008 New York State Assembly election

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

New York State Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 30 32 2
Republican 32 30 2
Total 62 62
New York State Assembly
Party Before After Change
Democratic 106 107 1
Republican 42 41 1
Independence 1 1
Working Families 1 1
Total 150 150

North Carolina

Main articles: 2008 North Carolina Senate election and 2008 North Carolina House of Representatives election

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 both state legislative chambers.

North Carolina Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 31 30 1
Republican 19 20 1
Total 50 50
North Carolina House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 68 68
Republican 52 52
Total 120 120

North Dakota

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 26 26
Democratic-NPL 21 21
Total 47 47
North Dakota House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 61 58 3
Democratic-NPL 33 36 3
Total 94 94

Ohio

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

Ohio Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 21 21
Democratic 12 12
Total 33 33
Ohio House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 46 53 7
Republican 53 46 7
Total 99 99

Oklahoma

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

Oklahoma Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 24 26 2
Democratic 24[g] 22 2
Total 48 48
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 57 61 4
Democratic 44 40 4
Total 101 101

Oregon

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

Oregon State Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 19 18 1
Republican 11 12 1
Total 30 30
Oregon House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 31 36 5
Republican 29 24 5
Total 60 60

Pennsylvania

Main articles: 2008 Pennsylvania Senate election and 2008 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election

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

Pennsylvania State Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 29 30 1
Democratic 21 20 1
Total 50 50
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 102 104 2
Republican 101 99 2
Total 203 203

Rhode Island

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 33 33
Republican 5 4 1
Independent 0 1 1
Total 38 38
Rhode Island House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 60 69 9
Republican 15 6 9
Total 75 75

South Carolina

Main articles: 2008 South Carolina Senate election and 2008 South Carolina House of Representatives election

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

South Carolina Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 27 27
Democratic 19 19
Total 46 46
South Carolina House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 73 73
Democratic 51 51
Total 124 124

South Dakota

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 20 21 1
Democratic 15 14 1
Total 35 35
South Dakota House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 50 46 4
Democratic 20 24 4
Total 70 70

Tennessee

Main articles: 2008 Tennessee Senate election and 2008 Tennessee House of Representatives election

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

Tennessee Senate
Party Before After Change
Republican 16 19 3
Democratic 16 14 2
Independent 1 0 1
Total 33 33
Tennessee House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 46 50 4
Democratic 53 49 4
Total 99 99

Texas

Main articles: 2008 Texas Senate election and 2008 Texas House of Representatives election

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 20 19 1
Democratic 11 12 1
Total 31 31
Texas House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 79 76 3
Democratic 71 74 3
Total 150 150

Utah

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 21 21
Democratic 8 8
Total 29 29
Utah House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 55 53 2
Democratic 20 22 2
Total 75 75

Vermont

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

Vermont Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 23 23
Republican 7 7
Total 30 30
Vermont House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 93 94 1
Republican 49 48 1
Progressive 6 5 1
Independent 2 3 1
Total 150 150

Washington

Main articles: 2008 Washington State Senate election and 2008 Washington House of Representatives election

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

Washington State Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 31 31
Republican 18 18
Total 49 49
Washington House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Democratic 63 62 1
Republican 35 36 1
Total 98 98

West Virginia

Main articles: 2008 West Virginia Senate election and 2008 West Virginia House of Delegates election

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 23 26 3
Republican 11 8 3
Total 34 34
West Virginia House of Delegates
Party Before After Change
Democratic 72 71 1
Republican 28 29 1
Total 100 100

Wisconsin

Main articles: 2008 Wisconsin Senate election and 2008 Wisconsin State Assembly election

All of the seats of the Wisconsin Assembly and half of the Wisconsin Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the Senate and won control of the Assembly.

Wisconsin Senate
Party Before After Change
Democratic 18 18
Republican 15 15
Total 33 33
Wisconsin State Assembly
Party Before After Change
Democratic 47 52 5
Republican 51 46 5
Independent 1 1
Total 99 99

Wyoming

Main articles: 2008 Wyoming Senate election and 2008 Wyoming House of Representatives election

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 23 23
Democratic 7 7
Total 30 30
Wyoming House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Republican 43 41 2
Democratic 17 19 2
Total 60 60

Territorial and federal district summaries

American Samoa

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

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 retained control of the legislature.

Guam Legislature
Party Before After Change
Democratic 8 10 2
Republican 7 5 2
Total 15 15

Puerto Rico

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 held control of both chambers.

Puerto Rico Senate
Party Before After Change
Popular Democratic 11 9 2
New Progressive 15 22 7
Puerto Rican Independence 1 0 1
Total 27 31
Puerto Rico House of Representatives
Party Before After Change
Popular Democratic 18 17 1
New Progressive 32 37 5
Puerto Rican Independence 1 0 1
Total 51 54

U.S. Virgin Islands

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

Virgin Islands Legislature
Party Before After Change
Democratic 9 10 1
Independent 6 5 1
Total 15 15

Washington, D.C.

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
Independent 1 2 1
Total 13 13

Notes

  1. ^ Following the defection of Senator Micheal R. Williams from the Republican party, no party controlled the Tennessee Senate. Thus the chamber is not included in the total here.
  2. ^ a b The Alaska Senate was controlled by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. The minority caucus consists of Republicans who were not part of the majority coalition.
  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. ^ Includes a post-election party switch by Senator Sam Kitzenberg which gave Democrats control of the chamber.
  6. ^ Includes a 2007 party switch by a Republican Senator that deadlocked the chamber.
  7. ^ a b The Democratic Party controlled the chamber by virtue of holding the governor's office.

References

  1. ^ "State legislative elections, 2008". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  2. ^ "New Hampshire Senate Makes History". ABC News. December 7, 2008.
  3. ^ "New York - Election Results 2008 - The New York Times". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  4. ^ Whitehouse, Ken. "Tennessee Republicans win slim majority in State House". Nashville Post. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "2020 Legislative Races by State and Legislative Chamber". National Conference of State Legislatures.
  6. ^ a b Jacobson, Louis (October 15, 2008). "Legislative races tilting Dems' way in '08". Stateline. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
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