Partisan composition of state senates

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The partisan composition of state senates refers to which political party holds the majority of seats in the state senate. Altogether, in the 50 state senates, there are 1,971 state senators.

As of February 9, 2013, the breakdown of chamber control by party is as follows:

See also: Partisan composition of state houses

Ties

A total of 61 state legislative chambers around the country have an even number of members, raising the possibility of a tie between the two major parties. One of the three upper houses that had a tie as a result of the 2010 elections, the Alaska Senate, has formed a bipartisan coalition of legislators to act as leadership.[1] This tactic has not been the universal approach, however; some legislative bodies have used a coin toss, gubernatorial choice, shared time, choosing co-leaders, or dividing chairperson positions between the parties.[2]

Cumulative numbers

As of June 3, 2013, 1,914 state senators are affiliated with either the Republican or Democratic parties.

Party Number of Percentage
Democratic state senators 890 45.1%
Republican state senators 1,024 51.9%
Non-partisan state senators 49 2.48%
Independent state senators 4 0.2%
Third Party state senators 0 0%
Vacancies 5 0.25%

Vacancies

As of June 3, 2013, there are 5 vacancies in 5 states.

State Vacancies
California 1
Massachusetts 1
Virginia 1
Vermont 1
Washington 1

Independents

As of June 3, 2013, there are 4 state senators in 4 states identifying as independents or parties other than Democratic and Republican.

State Independents/Third Party
Alabama 1 (Independent)
Kentucky 1 (Independent)
Maine 1 (Independent)
Rhode Island 1 (Independent)

2012 Elections

Before the November 2012 elections, the Democratic Party held the majority in 19 state senates and the Republican Party held the majority in 28 senates. One state senate (Nebraska) is officially non-partisan. Two state senates (Alaska and Virginia) were evenly divided between Democratic and Republican. Thus, the overall score heading into the November 6, 2012 elections was:

  • State senates controlled by a Democratic majority: 19
  • State senates controlled by a Republican majority: 28
  • State senates that are officially non-partisan: 1
  • State senates that were tied: 2
See also: State senate elections, 2010

As of November 1, 2012, 1,899 state senators were affiliated with either the Republican or Democratic parties:

Party Number of Percentage
Democratic state senators 872 44.2%
Republican state senators 1,027 52.1%
Non-partisan state senators 49 2.5%
Independent state senators 4 0.2%
Third Party state senators 2 0.10%
Vacancies 8 0.4%

2010 Elections

Before the November 2010 elections, the Democratic Party held the majority in 28 state senates and the Republican Party held the majority in 20 senates. One state senate (Nebraska) is officially non-partisan. One state senate (Alaska) was evenly divided between Democratic and Republican senators but several Republicans in that senate vote with the Democratic caucus, so that functionally, the Alaska State Senate could be counted in the column of state senates where Democrats are in the majority. In that case, the overall score heading into the November 2, 2010 elections was:

  • State senates controlled by a Democratic majority: 28
  • State senates controlled by a Republican majority: 20
  • State senates that are officially non-partisan: 1
See also: State senate elections, 2010

As of November 1, 2010, 1,913 state senators were affiliated with either the Republican or Democratic parties:

Party Number of Percentage
Democratic state senators 1,021 51.8%
Republican state senators 892 45.3%
Non-partisan state senators 49 2.5%
Independent state senators 4 0.2%
Vacancies 5 0.2%

States

In the partisan control charts below, state senates with a Democratic majority are encased in a blue (      ) box, while state senates with a Republican majority are encased in a red (      ) box. State senates where Democrats and Republicans hold an identical number of seats are encased in a purple (      ) box.

Alabama

See also: Alabama State Senate, Alabama State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 11
     Republican Party 23
     Independent 1
Total 35


Alaska

See also: Alaska State Senate, Alaska State Legislature

Although the membership of the Alaska State Senate is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, the leadership of the senate is controlled by the Democratic caucus, since several Republicans joined that voting bloc.

Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 7
     Republican Party 13
Total 20


Arizona

See also: Arizona State Senate, Arizona State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 13
     Republican Party 17
Total 30


Arkansas

See also: Arkansas State Senate, Arkansas State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 14
     Republican Party 21
Total 35


California

See also: California State Senate, California State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 28
     Republican Party 11
     Vacancy 1
Total 40


Colorado

See also: Colorado State Senate, Colorado General Assembly
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 20
     Republican Party 15
Total 35


Connecticut

See also: Connecticut State Senate, Connecticut State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 22
     Republican Party 14
Total 36


Delaware

See also: Delaware State Senate, Delaware State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 13
     Republican Party 8
Total 21


Florida

See also: Florida State Senate, Florida State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 14
     Republican Party 26
Total 40


Georgia

See also: Georgia State Senate, Georgia State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 18
     Republican Party 38
Total 56


Hawaii

See also: Hawaii State Senate, Hawaii State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 24
     Republican Party 1
Total 25


Idaho

See also: Idaho State Senate, Idaho State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 7
     Republican Party 28
Total 35


Illinois

See also: Illinois State Senate, Illinois State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 40
     Republican Party 19
Total 59


Indiana

See also: Indiana State Senate, Indiana State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 13
     Republican Party 37
Total 50


Iowa

See also: Iowa State Senate, Iowa State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 26
     Republican Party 24
Total 50


Kansas

See also: Kansas State Senate, Kansas State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 8
     Republican Party 32
Total 40


Kentucky

See also: Kentucky State Senate, Kentucky State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 14
     Republican Party 23
     Independent 1
Total 38


Louisiana

See also: Louisiana State Senate, Louisiana State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 15
     Republican Party 24
Total 39


Maine

See also: Maine State Senate, Maine State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 19
     Republican Party 15
     Independent 1
Total 35


Maryland

See also: Maryland State Senate, Maryland State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 35
     Republican Party 12
Total 47


Massachusetts

See also: Massachusetts State Senate, Massachusetts State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 35
     Republican Party 4
     Vacancy 1
Total 40


Michigan

See also: Michigan State Senate, Michigan State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 12
     Republican Party 26
Total 38


Minnesota

See also: Minnesota State Senate, Minnesota State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 39
     Republican Party 28
Total 67


Mississippi

See also: Mississippi State Senate, Mississippi State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 20
     Republican Party 32
Total 52


Missouri

See also: Missouri State Senate, Missouri State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 10
     Republican Party 24
Total 34


Montana

See also: Montana State Senate, Montana State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 21
     Republican Party 29
Total 50


Nebraska

See also: Nebraska State Legislature

Nebraska Legislature is non-partisan.

Nevada

See also: Nevada State Senate, Nevada State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 11
     Republican Party 10
Total 21


New Hampshire

See also: New Hampshire State Senate, New Hampshire State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 11
     Republican Party 13
Total 24


New Jersey

See also: New Jersey State Senate, New Jersey State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 24
     Republican Party 16
Total 40

New Mexico

See also: New Mexico State Senate, New Mexico State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 25
     Republican Party 17
Total 42


New York

See also: New York State Senate, New York State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 33
     Republican Party 30
Total 63


North Carolina

See also: North Carolina State Senate, North Carolina State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 17
     Republican Party 33
Total 50


North Dakota

See also: North Dakota State Senate, North Dakota State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 14
     Republican Party 33
Total 47


Ohio

See also: Ohio State Senate, Ohio State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 10
     Republican Party 23
Total 33

Oklahoma

See also: Oklahoma State Senate, Oklahoma State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 12
     Republican Party 36
Total 48

Oregon

See also: Oregon State Senate, Oregon State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 16
     Republican Party 14
Total 30


Pennsylvania

See also: Pennsylvania State Senate, Pennsylvania State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 23
     Republican Party 27
Total 50


Rhode Island

See also: Rhode Island State Senate, Rhode Island State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 32
     Republican Party 5
     Independent 1
Total 38


South Carolina

See also: South Carolina State Senate, South Carolina State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 17
     Republican Party 28
     Vacancy 1
Total 46


South Dakota

See also: South Dakota State Senate, South Dakota State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 7
     Republican Party 28
Total 35


Tennessee

See also: Tennessee State Senate, Tennessee State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 7
     Republican Party 26
Total 33


Texas

See also: Texas State Senate, Texas State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 12
     Republican Party 19
Total 31

Utah

See also: Utah State Senate, Utah State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 5
     Republican Party 24
Total 29


Vermont

See also: Vermont State Senate, Vermont State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 21
     Republican Party 7
     Vermont Progressive Party 2
Total 30


Virginia

See also: Virginia State Senate, Virginia State Legislature

Although the membership of the Virginia State Senate is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, the leadership of the senate is controlled by the Republican caucus with Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) casting the tie-breaking vote in their favor.

Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 20
     Republican Party 20
Total 40


Washington

See also: Washington State Senate, Washington State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 26
     Republican Party 23
Total 49


West Virginia

See also: West Virginia State Senate, West Virginia State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 25
     Republican Party 9
Total 34


Wisconsin

See also: Wisconsin State Senate, Wisconsin State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 15
     Republican Party 18
Total 33


Wyoming

See also: Wyoming State Senate, Wyoming State Legislature
Party As of June 2013
     Democratic Party 4
     Republican Party 26
Total 30


See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Senate Bipartisan Working Group, retrieved June 14, 2012
  2. ↑ Governing, "How Tied Chambers Affect States," June 9, 2011
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