Midterm: Governors and Legislatures

Our most recent book is The Comeback: The 2024 Elections and American Politics. It includes a chapter on congressional and state elections.  The vote count is not quite over, but it is already clear that 2026 ranks among the most consequential midterms.

For the first time in 16 years, Democrats are poised to control more state governments outright than Republicans. Democrats are on track for 22 state government trifectas, their most in at least 34 years. The political map that Republicans built in 2010 is unraveling. https://t.co/TOWftVVVQr

— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) November 9, 2026

Katy Owens Hubler at NCSL:

Ballots are still being counted, and results are not final until certified by election officials, but as of Thursday, Nov. 5:

Legislative Chambers

Pre-Election: 39 Democratic, 58 Republican, 1 no majority
Post-Election (anticipated): 52 Democratic, 46 Republican, 1 no majority

Legislative Control

One party controls both chambers.

Pre-Election: 18 Democratic, 28 Republican, 3 divided
Post-Election (anticipated): 25 Democratic, 21 Republican, 4 divided

Governors

Pre-Election: 24 Democratic, 26 Republican
Post-Election (anticipated): 30 Democratic, 20 Republican

State Control

One party controls the executive and both chambers.

Pre-Election: 16 Democratic, 23 Republican, 10 divided
Post-Election (anticipated): 23 Democratic, 17 Republican, 10 divided