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Contested state legislative primaries, 2010

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Last updated on November 18, 2024
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There were 6,127 state legislative seats up for election on November 2, 2010, in 46 states. This page analyzes contested primaries in those races. A primary is contested when there are more candidates running than nominations available, meaning at least one candidate on the primary ballot must lose. Learn more about the terms and methodologies used in this analysis.

Ballotpedia uses the number and percentage of contested primaries to help determine the overall competitiveness of an election cycle. A greater number of contested primaries indicates more candidates running for office and more choices voters must make. A smaller number of contested primaries indicates fewer candidates and choices on the ballot.

There were 5,583 state legislative districts up for election nationwide, creating 11,019 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 2,017 contested primaries, meaning 18% of all primaries were contested.

In 2010:

  • There were 879 contested Democratic primaries, representing 16% of all possible Democratic primaries.
  • There were 1,088 contested Republican primaries, representing 20% of all possible Republican primaries.
  • There were 50 contested top-two/four primaries, representing 34% of all possible top-two/four primaries.



    • Contested state legislative primaries, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Top-two/four Total
    # % # % # % # %
    House 4,414 662 15.3% 838 19.4% 34 34.7% 1,534 17.6%
    Senate 1,169 217 19.4% 250 22.3% 16 32.7% 483 21.1%
    Total 5,583 879 16.2% 1,088 20.0% 50 34.0% 2,017 18.3%


    Click [show] on the table below to view contested primary statistics by state in 2010. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    By state

    Overview

    Alabama

    There were 140 state legislative districts up for election in Alabama, creating 280 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 72 contested primaries—33 by Democrats and 39 by Republicans—meaning 25.7% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Alabama, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 105 24 22.9% 28 26.7% 52 24.8%
    Senate 35 9 25.7% 11 31.4% 20 28.6%
    Total 140 33 23.6% 39 27.9% 72 25.7%


    See also:

    Alaska

    There were 50 state legislative districts up for election in Alaska, creating 100 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 10 contested primaries—one by Democrats and nine by Republicans—meaning 10.0% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Alaska, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 40 1 2.5% 8 20.0% 9 11.3%
    Senate 10 0 0.0% 1 10.0% 1 5.0%
    Total 50 1 2.0% 9 18.0% 10 10.0%


    See also:

    Arizona

    There were 60 state legislative districts up for election in Arizona, creating 120 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 37 contested primaries—11 by Democrats and 26 by Republicans—meaning 30.8% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Arizona, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 30 8 26.7% 16 53.3% 24 40.0%
    Senate 30 3 10.0% 10 33.3% 13 21.7%
    Total 60 11 18.3% 26 43.3% 37 30.8%


    See also:

    Arkansas

    There were 117 state legislative districts up for election in Arkansas, creating 234 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 44 contested primaries—34 by Democrats and 10 by Republicans—meaning 18.8% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Arkansas, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 100 26 26.0% 7 7.0% 33 16.5%
    Senate 17 8 47.1% 3 17.6% 11 32.4%
    Total 117 34 29.1% 10 8.5% 44 18.8%


    See also:

    California

    There were 100 state legislative districts up for election in California, creating 200 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 52 contested primaries—25 by Democrats and 27 by Republicans—meaning 26.0% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in California, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 80 22 27.5% 22 27.5% 44 27.5%
    Senate 20 3 15.0% 5 25.0% 8 20.0%
    Total 100 25 25.0% 27 27.0% 52 26.0%


    See also:

    Colorado

    There were 84 state legislative districts up for election in Colorado, creating 168 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 15 contested primaries—nine by Democrats and six by Republicans—meaning 8.9% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Colorado, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 65 5 7.7% 3 4.6% 8 6.2%
    Senate 19 4 21.1% 3 15.8% 7 18.4%
    Total 84 9 10.7% 6 7.1% 15 8.9%


    See also:

    Connecticut

    There were 187 state legislative districts up for election in Connecticut, creating 374 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 22 contested primaries—15 by Democrats and seven by Republicans—meaning 5.9% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Connecticut, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 151 13 8.6% 6 4.0% 19 6.3%
    Senate 36 2 5.6% 1 2.8% 3 4.2%
    Total 187 15 8.0% 7 3.7% 22 5.9%


    See also:

    Delaware

    There were 52 state legislative districts up for election in Delaware, creating 104 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 13 contested primaries—eight by Democrats and five by Republicans—meaning 12.5% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Delaware, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 41 7 17.1% 4 9.8% 11 13.4%
    Senate 11 1 9.1% 1 9.1% 2 9.1%
    Total 52 8 15.4% 5 9.6% 13 12.5%


    See also:

    Florida

    There were 160 state legislative districts up for election in Florida, creating 320 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 64 contested primaries—20 by Democrats and 44 by Republicans—meaning 20.0% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Florida, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 120 17 14.2% 36 30.0% 53 22.1%
    Senate 40 3 7.5% 8 20.0% 11 13.8%
    Total 160 20 12.5% 44 27.5% 64 20.0%


    See also:

    Georgia

    There were 236 state legislative districts up for election in Georgia, creating 472 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 76 contested primaries—29 by Democrats and 47 by Republicans—meaning 16.1% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Georgia, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 180 22 12.2% 33 18.3% 55 15.3%
    Senate 56 7 12.5% 14 25.0% 21 18.8%
    Total 236 29 12.3% 47 19.9% 76 16.1%


    See also:

    Hawaii

    There were 66 state legislative districts up for election in Hawaii, creating 132 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 42 contested primaries—32 by Democrats and 10 by Republicans—meaning 31.8% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Hawaii, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 51 24 47.1% 7 13.7% 31 30.4%
    Senate 15 8 53.3% 3 20.0% 11 36.7%
    Total 66 32 48.5% 10 15.2% 42 31.8%


    See also:

    Idaho

    There were 105 state legislative districts up for election in Idaho, creating 210 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 34 contested primaries—two by Democrats and 32 by Republicans—meaning 16.2% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Idaho, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 70 1 1.4% 18 25.7% 19 13.6%
    Senate 35 1 2.9% 14 40.0% 15 21.4%
    Total 105 2 1.9% 32 30.5% 34 16.2%


    See also:

    Illinois

    There were 139 state legislative districts up for election in Illinois, creating 278 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 39 contested primaries—24 by Democrats and 15 by Republicans—meaning 14.0% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Illinois, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 118 20 16.9% 12 10.2% 32 13.6%
    Senate 21 4 19.0% 3 14.3% 7 16.7%
    Total 139 24 17.3% 15 10.8% 39 14.0%


    See also:

    Indiana

    There were 125 state legislative districts up for election in Indiana, creating 250 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 46 contested primaries—13 by Democrats and 33 by Republicans—meaning 18.4% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Indiana, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 100 10 10.0% 27 27.0% 37 18.5%
    Senate 25 3 12.0% 6 24.0% 9 18.0%
    Total 125 13 10.4% 33 26.4% 46 18.4%


    See also:

    Iowa

    There were 125 state legislative districts up for election in Iowa, creating 250 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 26 contested primaries—seven by Democrats and 19 by Republicans—meaning 10.4% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Iowa, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 100 5 5.0% 14 14.0% 19 9.5%
    Senate 25 2 8.0% 5 20.0% 7 14.0%
    Total 125 7 5.6% 19 15.2% 26 10.4%


    See also:

    Kansas

    There were 125 state legislative districts up for election in Kansas, creating 250 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 36 contested primaries—four by Democrats and 32 by Republicans—meaning 14.4% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Kansas, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 125 4 3.2% 32 25.6% 36 14.4%
    Senate Did not hold elections
    Total 125 4 3.2% 32 25.6% 36 14.4%


    See also:

    Kentucky

    There were 119 state legislative districts up for election in Kentucky, creating 238 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 37 contested primaries—17 by Democrats and 20 by Republicans—meaning 15.5% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Kentucky, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 100 14 14.0% 11 11.0% 25 12.5%
    Senate 19 3 15.8% 9 47.4% 12 31.6%
    Total 119 17 14.3% 20 16.8% 37 15.5%


    See also:

    Maine

    There were 186 state legislative districts up for election in Maine, creating 372 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 36 contested primaries—14 by Democrats and 22 by Republicans—meaning 9.7% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Maine, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 151 12 7.9% 20 13.2% 32 10.6%
    Senate 35 2 5.7% 2 5.7% 4 5.7%
    Total 186 14 7.5% 22 11.8% 36 9.7%


    See also:

    Maryland

    There were 112 state legislative districts up for election in Maryland, creating 224 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 91 contested primaries—54 by Democrats and 37 by Republicans—meaning 40.6% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Maryland, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 65 34 52.3% 26 40.0% 60 46.2%
    Senate 47 20 42.6% 11 23.4% 31 33.0%
    Total 112 54 48.2% 37 33.0% 91 40.6%


    See also:

    Massachusetts

    There were 200 state legislative districts up for election in Massachusetts, creating 400 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 61 contested primaries—40 by Democrats and 21 by Republicans—meaning 15.3% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Massachusetts, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 160 28 17.5% 15 9.4% 43 13.4%
    Senate 40 12 30.0% 6 15.0% 18 22.5%
    Total 200 40 20.0% 21 10.5% 61 15.3%


    See also:

    Michigan

    There were 148 state legislative districts up for election in Michigan, creating 296 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 138 contested primaries—60 by Democrats and 78 by Republicans—meaning 46.6% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Michigan, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 110 42 38.2% 54 49.1% 96 43.6%
    Senate 38 18 47.4% 24 63.2% 42 55.3%
    Total 148 60 40.5% 78 52.7% 138 46.6%


    See also:

    Minnesota

    There were 201 state legislative districts up for election in Minnesota, creating 402 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 23 contested primaries—13 by Democrats and 10 by Republicans—meaning 5.7% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Minnesota, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 134 7 5.2% 6 4.5% 13 4.9%
    Senate 67 6 9.0% 4 6.0% 10 7.5%
    Total 201 13 6.5% 10 5.0% 23 5.7%


    See also:

    Missouri

    There were 180 state legislative districts up for election in Missouri, creating 360 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 86 contested primaries—29 by Democrats and 57 by Republicans—meaning 23.9% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Missouri, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 163 25 15.3% 51 31.3% 76 23.3%
    Senate 17 4 23.5% 6 35.3% 10 29.4%
    Total 180 29 16.1% 57 31.7% 86 23.9%


    See also:

    Montana

    There were 126 state legislative districts up for election in Montana, creating 252 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 59 contested primaries—21 by Democrats and 38 by Republicans—meaning 23.4% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Montana, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 100 16 16.0% 28 28.0% 44 22.0%
    Senate 26 5 19.2% 10 38.5% 15 28.8%
    Total 126 21 16.7% 38 30.2% 59 23.4%


    See also:

    Nebraska

    There were 24 state legislative districts up for election in Nebraska, creating 24 possible primaries because of the state's top-two primary system. Of that total, there were nine contested top-two primaries, meaning 37.5% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Statistics from 2010 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Nebraska, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Total
    # %
    House N/A
    Senate 24 9 37.5%
    Total 24 9 37.5%


    See also:

    Nevada

    There were 53 state legislative districts up for election in Nevada, creating 106 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 48 contested primaries—20 by Democrats and 28 by Republicans—meaning 45.3% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Nevada, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 42 16 38.1% 19 45.2% 35 41.7%
    Senate 11 4 36.4% 9 81.8% 13 59.1%
    Total 53 20 37.7% 28 52.8% 48 45.3%


    See also:

    New Hampshire

    There were 127 state legislative districts up for election in New Hampshire, creating 254 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 54 contested primaries—14 by Democrats and 40 by Republicans—meaning 21.3% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in New Hampshire, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 103 13 12.6% 36 35.0% 49 23.8%
    Senate 24 1 4.2% 4 16.7% 5 10.4%
    Total 127 14 11.0% 40 31.5% 54 21.3%


    See also:

    New Mexico

    There were 70 state legislative districts up for election in New Mexico, creating 140 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 23 contested primaries—14 by Democrats and nine by Republicans—meaning 16.4% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in New Mexico, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 70 14 20.0% 9 12.9% 23 16.4%
    Senate Did not hold elections
    Total 70 14 20.0% 9 12.9% 23 16.4%


    See also:

    New York

    There were 212 state legislative districts up for election in New York, creating 424 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 66 contested primaries—52 by Democrats and 14 by Republicans—meaning 15.6% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in New York, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 150 34 22.7% 10 6.7% 44 14.7%
    Senate 62 18 29.0% 4 6.5% 22 17.7%
    Total 212 52 24.5% 14 6.6% 66 15.6%


    See also:

    North Carolina

    There were 170 state legislative districts up for election in North Carolina, creating 340 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 81 contested primaries—34 by Democrats and 47 by Republicans—meaning 23.8% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in North Carolina, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 120 22 18.3% 27 22.5% 49 20.4%
    Senate 50 12 24.0% 20 40.0% 32 32.0%
    Total 170 34 20.0% 47 27.6% 81 23.8%


    See also:

    North Dakota

    There were 48 state legislative districts up for election in North Dakota, creating 96 possible primaries. Of that total, there was one contested Democratic primary, meaning 1.0% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in North Dakota, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 24 1 4.2% 0 0.0% 1 2.1%
    Senate 24 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
    Total 48 1 2.1% 0 0.0% 1 1.0%


    See also:

    Ohio

    There were 116 state legislative districts up for election in Ohio, creating 232 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 54 contested primaries—26 by Democrats and 28 by Republicans—meaning 23.3% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Ohio, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 99 20 20.2% 23 23.2% 43 21.7%
    Senate 17 6 35.3% 5 29.4% 11 32.4%
    Total 116 26 22.4% 28 24.1% 54 23.3%


    See also:

    Oklahoma

    There were 125 state legislative districts up for election in Oklahoma, creating 250 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 39 contested primaries—14 by Democrats and 25 by Republicans—meaning 15.6% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Oklahoma, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 101 11 10.9% 15 14.9% 26 12.9%
    Senate 24 3 12.5% 10 41.7% 13 27.1%
    Total 125 14 11.2% 25 20.0% 39 15.6%


    See also:

    Oregon

    There were 76 state legislative districts up for election in Oregon, creating 152 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 20 contested primaries—six by Democrats and 14 by Republicans—meaning 13.2% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Oregon, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 60 3 5.0% 11 18.3% 14 11.7%
    Senate 16 3 18.8% 3 18.8% 6 18.8%
    Total 76 6 7.9% 14 18.4% 20 13.2%


    See also:

    Pennsylvania

    There were 228 state legislative districts up for election in Pennsylvania, creating 456 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 63 contested primaries—34 by Democrats and 29 by Republicans—meaning 13.8% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Pennsylvania, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 203 29 14.3% 29 14.3% 58 14.3%
    Senate 25 5 20.0% 0 0.0% 5 10.0%
    Total 228 34 14.9% 29 12.7% 63 13.8%


    See also:

    Rhode Island

    There were 113 state legislative districts up for election in Rhode Island, creating 226 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 51 contested primaries—45 by Democrats and six by Republicans—meaning 22.6% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Rhode Island, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 75 33 44.0% 4 5.3% 37 24.7%
    Senate 38 12 31.6% 2 5.3% 14 18.4%
    Total 113 45 39.8% 6 5.3% 51 22.6%


    See also:

    South Carolina

    There were 124 state legislative districts up for election in South Carolina, creating 248 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 39 contested primaries—14 by Democrats and 25 by Republicans—meaning 15.7% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in South Carolina, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 124 14 11.3% 25 20.2% 39 15.7%
    Senate Did not hold elections
    Total 124 14 11.3% 25 20.2% 39 15.7%


    See also:

    South Dakota

    There were 72 state legislative districts up for election in South Dakota, creating 144 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 18 contested primaries—eight by Democrats and 10 by Republicans—meaning 12.5% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in South Dakota, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 37 3 8.1% 6 16.2% 9 12.2%
    Senate 35 5 14.3% 4 11.4% 9 12.9%
    Total 72 8 11.1% 10 13.9% 18 12.5%


    See also:

    Tennessee

    There were 116 state legislative districts up for election in Tennessee, creating 232 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 37 contested primaries—13 by Democrats and 24 by Republicans—meaning 15.9% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Tennessee, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 99 11 11.1% 19 19.2% 30 15.2%
    Senate 17 2 11.8% 5 29.4% 7 20.6%
    Total 116 13 11.2% 24 20.7% 37 15.9%


    See also:

    Texas

    There were 166 state legislative districts up for election in Texas, creating 332 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 56 contested primaries—11 by Democrats and 45 by Republicans—meaning 16.9% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Texas, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 150 9 6.0% 41 27.3% 50 16.7%
    Senate 16 2 12.5% 4 25.0% 6 18.8%
    Total 166 11 6.6% 45 27.1% 56 16.9%


    See also:

    Utah

    There were 90 state legislative districts up for election in Utah, creating 180 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 14 contested primaries—two by Democrats and 12 by Republicans—meaning 7.8% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Utah, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 75 1 1.3% 8 10.7% 9 6.0%
    Senate 15 1 6.7% 4 26.7% 5 16.7%
    Total 90 2 2.2% 12 13.3% 14 7.8%


    See also:

    Vermont

    There were 121 state legislative districts up for election in Vermont, creating 242 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 16 contested primaries—nine by Democrats and seven by Republicans—meaning 6.6% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Vermont, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 108 6 5.6% 6 5.6% 12 5.6%
    Senate 13 3 23.1% 1 7.7% 4 15.4%
    Total 121 9 7.4% 7 5.8% 16 6.6%


    See also:

    Washington

    There were 123 state legislative districts up for election in Washington, creating 123 possible primaries because of the state's top-two primary system. Of that total, there were 41 contested top-two primaries, meaning 33.3% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Statistics from 2010 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Washington, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Total
    # %
    House 98 34 34.7%
    Senate 25 7 28.0%
    Total 123 41 33.3%


    See also:

    West Virginia

    There were 75 state legislative districts up for election in West Virginia, creating 150 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 46 contested primaries—32 by Democrats and 14 by Republicans—meaning 30.7% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in West Virginia, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 58 22 37.9% 10 17.2% 32 27.6%
    Senate 17 10 58.8% 4 23.5% 14 41.2%
    Total 75 32 42.7% 14 18.7% 46 30.7%


    See also:

    Wisconsin

    There were 116 state legislative districts up for election in Wisconsin, creating 232 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 50 contested primaries—13 by Democrats and 37 by Republicans—meaning 21.6% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Wisconsin, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 99 12 12.1% 32 32.3% 44 22.2%
    Senate 17 1 5.9% 5 29.4% 6 17.6%
    Total 116 13 11.2% 37 31.9% 50 21.6%


    See also:

    Wyoming

    There were 75 state legislative districts up for election in Wyoming, creating 150 possible primaries. Of that total, there were 32 contested primaries—two by Democrats and 30 by Republicans—meaning 21.3% of all primaries were contested.

    In 2010

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Contested state legislative primaries in Wyoming, 2010
    Chamber Districts
    Democratic Republican Total
    # % # % # %
    House 60 1 1.7% 24 40.0% 25 20.8%
    Senate 15 1 6.7% 6 40.0% 7 23.3%
    Total 75 2 2.7% 30 40.0% 32 21.3%


    See also:

    Terms and methodologies

    Primary

    See also: Primary election

    A primary is an election used either to narrow the field of candidates or to determine political parties' nominees in advance of a general election. Broadly, a state might use one of two types of primary systems for its state legislative elections: partisan or top-two/four.

    Partisan primaries

    See also: Open, closed, and semi-closed primary

    Partisan primaries are those where candidates from the same party compete against one another. The winning candidates receive their parties' nominations in order to appear on the general election ballot.

    Top-two/four primaries

    See also: Top-two primary and Top-four primary

    Top-two/four primaries are those where all candidates, regardless of their party affiliations, appear on the same primary ballot. Depending on the system in place, either the top-two or top-four vote-getters advance to the general election.

    Contested primary

    A contested primary is one where there are more candidates running than nominations available, meaning at least one candidate on the primary ballot must lose.

    The number of candidates needed to create a contested primary depends on the primary system in place and the number of seats up for election in a state legislative district.

    In states with partisan primaries, a primary is typically contested when two or more candidates from the same political party file to run since only one candidate can receive their party's nomination. In states with multi-member state legislative districts, the number of candidates a party can nominate to the general election ballot depends on the number of seats in the district. In these cases, a primary is contested when at least one more candidate files to run than there are seats in the district. In states with top-two/four primaries, a primary is contested when more than two (in states with a top-two system) or more than four (in states with a top-four system) candidates file to run.

    Possible primaries

    The number of possible primaries is determined by the number of districts holding elections and the primary system in place.

    In states with partisan primaries, there are two possible primaries per district, one for each of the two major parties. In states with top-two/four primaries, there is one possible primary per district, since every candidate appears on the same primary ballot.

    Methodology

    This page analyzes the total number of contested state legislative primaries by comparing the number of such primaries to the number of possible primaries.

    Ballotpedia considers a primary as contested when there are more candidates on the ballot than nominations available. If a candidate unofficially withdraws before the primary but remains on the ballot, that candidate is included in the total towards determining whether a primary is contested.

    In states with partisan primaries, only major party candidates and primaries are counted. In states with top-two/four primaries, all candidates—major party and otherwise—are counted.

    If a district uses a convention—a nominating contested reserved to a smaller number of participants usually referred to as delegates—as the sole means of nominating a candidate, that district is not included in the calculation of possible primaries. In 2010, no state legislative districts used conventions as the sole means of nomination. Two states—Connecticut and Utah—used a convention-primary system, where candidates could be nominated via a convention but, in both states, those contests still could have advanced to a primary.

    See also

    Footnotes

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