Democrats’ blue tsunami crashes into state legislatures

Democrats made their biggest statehouse gains in 16 years on Tuesday, flipping at least seven chambers that Republicans had held and breaking at least seven GOP supermajorities. The results matter for the redistricting fight President Donald Trump set off: once members are sworn in come January, Republicans in Georgia, Texas and North Carolina will need Democratic votes to adopt new congressional maps, while fresh Democratic trifectas in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Minnesota open the door to Democratic redraws before 2028. Greta Neubauer, who will lead the Democratic majority in the Wisconsin Assembly, indicated her party may use that power against a Republican gerrymander, Politico reported, according to MS NOW.

Voter unhappiness over Trump's war with Iran and living costs lifted Democrats, as did candidates rooted in their communities. John Johnson of Marquette University Law School noted that Menomonie, which Trump carried by 16 points in 2024, elected bullfrog farmer Jeremiah Fredrickson by 7 points, ousting a Republican incumbent.

A majority of voters still view the party unfavorably, according to The Voter Poll. Mandara Meyers of the States Project argued that local results could help repair its image, particularly with Trump vowing to be "Mr. Veto" in the next Congress.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →