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Election results, 2022: State government triplexes

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As a result of the 2022 elections, four states changed triplex status. Three—Arizona, Maryland, and Massachusetts—switched from divided government to a Democratic triplex, and one—Iowa—switched from divided government to a Republican triplex.

A state government triplex is a term used to describe when one political party holds the following three statewide offices: governor, attorney general, and secretary of state.[1] In states where the governor appoints the attorney general or secretary of state, Ballotpedia considers the governor's party as holding the office for the purposes of defining triplexes.[2]

After the election, there are 24 Republican triplexes, 21 Democratic triplexes, and five states with divided governments where neither party has triplex control. Heading into the 2022 election, there were 23 Republican triplexes, 18 Democratic triplexes, and 9 divided governments where neither party held triplex control.

The states that changed triplex control:

  • Arizona became a Democratic triplex as Katie Hobbs (D) won the open-seat governor's race to succeed Doug Ducey (R), and Kris Mayes (D) won the open-seat attorney general race to succeed Mark Brnovich (R). Adrian Fontes (D was elected secretary of state—succeeding Hobbs—to retain partisan control of that office for Democrats.
  • Iowa became a Republican triplex as Brenna Bird (R) defeated incumbent Tom Miller (D) for attorney general. Kim Reynolds (R) and Paul Pate (R) were re-elected governor and secretary of state, respectively.
  • Maryland became a Democratic triplex as Wes Moore (D) succeeded Larry Hogan (R) as governor. This also gave the Democrats appointment control of the secretary of state. Anthony Brown (D) was elected attorney general.
  • Massachusetts became a Democratic triplex as Maura Healey (D) won the open-seat race to succeed Charles Baker (R) as governor. Andrea Campbell (D) was elected attorney general and William Galvin (D) was re-elected secretary of the commonwealth.

Two states had triplex offices change partisan control but remained as divided government triplexes:

  • Nevada remained a divided government even though the partisan control of two triplex offices changed. Joe Lombardo (R) defeated incumbent Gov. Steve Sisolak (D). Cisco Aguilar (D) was elected secretary of state, succeeding incumbent Barbara Cegavske (R), who was term-limited. Incumbent attorney general Aaron Ford (D) won re-election.
  • Vermont remained a divided government even though the partisan control of one office—attorney general—changed. Charity Clark (D) won the open-seat race to succeed Susanne Young (R) as attorney general. Phil Scott (R) was re-elected governor and Sarah Copeland Hanzas (D) was elected secretary of state.

Recent news

All times are Eastern Standard Time.

December 29

  • 2:53 p.m.: Arizona became a Democratic triplex after a recount determined that Kris Mayes (D) defeated Abraham Hamadeh (R) in the open-seat attorney general race. Democrats had previously won the state's gubernatorial and secretary of state races.[3]

November 28

November 23

November 21

November 11

Post-election state government triplexes


Pre-election state government triplexes

Pre-election analysis

Triplex offices, pre-election 2022
State Governor Election in 2022 Attorney general Election in 2022 Secretary of State Election in 2022
Alabama Kay Ivey Republican Party Yes Steve Marshall Republican Party Yes John Merrill Republican Party Yes
Alaska Mike Dunleavy Republican Party Yes Treg Taylor Republican Party No N/A ---
Arizona Doug Ducey Republican Party Yes Mark Brnovich Republican Party Yes Katie Hobbs Democratic Party Yes
Arkansas Asa Hutchinson Republican Party Yes Leslie Rutledge Republican Party Yes John Thurston Republican Party Yes
California Gavin Newsom Democratic Party Yes Rob Bonta Democratic Party Yes Shirley Weber Democratic Party Yes
Colorado Jared Polis Democratic Party Yes Phil Weiser Democratic Party Yes Jena Griswold Democratic Party Yes
Connecticut Ned Lamont Democratic Party Yes William Tong Democratic Party Yes Denise Merrill Democratic Party Yes
Delaware John Carney Democratic Party No Kathy Jennings Democratic Party Yes No
Florida Ron DeSantis Republican Party Yes Ashley B. Moody Yes Cord Byrd Republican Party No
Georgia Brian Kemp Republican Party Yes Chris Carr Republican Party Yes Brad Raffensperger Republican Party Yes
Hawaii David Ige Democratic Party Yes Holly Shikada Democratic Party No N/A ---
Idaho Brad Little Republican Party Yes Lawrence Wasden Republican Party Yes Lawerence Denney Republican Party Yes
Illinois J.B. Pritzker Democratic Party Yes Kwame Raoul Democratic Party Yes Jesse White Democratic Party Yes
Indiana Eric Holcomb Republican Party No Todd Rokita Republican Party No Holli Sullivan Republican Party Yes
Iowa Kim Reynolds Republican Party Yes Tom Miller Democratic Party Yes Paul Pate Republican Party Yes
Kansas Laura Kelly Democratic Party Yes Derek Schmidt Republican Party Yes Scott Schwab Republican Party Yes
Kentucky Andy Beshear Democratic Party No Daniel Cameron Republican Party No Michael Adams Republican Party No
Louisiana John Bel Edwards Democratic Party No Jeff Landry Republican Party No Kyle Ardoin Republican Party No
Maine Janet Mills Democratic Party Yes Aaron Frey Democratic Party No Shenna Bellows Democratic Party No
Maryland Larry Hogan Republican Party Yes Brian Frosh Democratic Party Yes John Wobensmith Republican Party No
Massachusetts Charles D. Baker Republican Party Yes Maura Healey Democratic Party Yes William Galvin Democratic Party Yes
Michigan Gretchen Whitmer Democratic Party Yes Dana Nessel Democratic Party Yes Jocelyn Benson Democratic Party Yes
Minnesota Tim Walz Democratic Party Yes Keith Ellison Democratic Party Yes Steve Simon Democratic Party Yes
Mississippi Tate Reeves Republican Party No Lynn Fitch Republican Party No Michael Watson Republican Party No
Missouri Mike Parson Republican Party No Eric Schmitt Republican Party No Jay Ashcroft Republican Party No
Montana Greg Gianforte Republican Party No Austin Knudsen Republican Party No Christi Jacobsen Republican Party No
Nebraska Pete Ricketts Republican Party Yes Doug Peterson Republican Party Yes Bob Evnen Republican Party Yes
Nevada Steve Sisolak Democratic Party Yes Aaron Ford Democratic Party Yes Barbara Cegavske Republican Party Yes
New Hampshire Chris Sununu Republican Party Yes John Formella Republican Party No David Scanlan Republican Party No
New Jersey Phil Murphy Democratic Party No Matt Platkin Democratic Party No Tahesha Way Democratic Party No
New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham Democratic Party Yes Hector Balderas Democratic Party Yes Maggie Toulouse Oliver Democratic Party Yes
New York Kathy Hochul Democratic Party Yes Letitia James Democratic Party Yes Robert Rodriguez Democratic Party No
North Carolina Roy Cooper Republican Party No Josh Stein Democratic Party No Elaine Marshall Democratic Party No
North Dakota Doug Burgum Republican Party No Drew Wrigley Republican Party Yes Al Jaeger Republican Party Yes
Ohio Mike DeWine Republican Party Yes Dave Yost Republican Party Yes Frank LaRose Republican Party Yes
Oklahoma Kevin Stitt Republican Party Yes John O'Connor Republican Party Yes Brian Bingman Republican Party No
Oregon Kate Brown Democratic Party Yes Ellen Rosenblum Democratic Party No Shemia Fagan Democratic Party No
Pennsylvania Tom Wolf Democratic Party Yes Josh Shapiro Democratic Party No Leigh Chapman Democratic Party No
Rhode Island Daniel McKee Democratic Party Yes Peter Neronha Democratic Party Yes Nellie Gorbea Democratic Party Yes
South Carolina Henry McMaster Republican Party Yes Alan Wilson Republican Party Yes Mark Hammond Republican Party Yes
South Dakota Kristi Noem Republican Party Yes Mark Vargo Republican Party Yes Steve Barnett Republican Party Yes
Tennessee Bill Lee Republican Party Yes Jonathan Skrmetti Republican Party No Tre Hargett Republican Party No
Texas Greg Abbott Republican Party Yes Ken Paxton Republican Party Yes John Scott Republican Party No
Utah Spencer Cox Republican Party No Sean Reyes Republican Party No N/A ---
Vermont Phil Scott Republican Party Yes T.J. Donovan Democratic Party Yes Jim Condos Democratic Party Yes
Virginia Glenn Youngkin Republican Party No Jason Miyares Republican Party No Kay Coles James Republican Party No
Washington Jay Inslee Democratic Party No Bob Ferguson Democratic Party No Steve Hobbs Democratic Party Yes
West Virginia Jim Justice Republican Party No Patrick Morrisey Republican Party No Mac Warner Republican Party No
Wisconsin Tony Evers Democratic Party Yes Josh Kaul Democratic Party Yes Douglas La Follette Democratic Party Yes
Wyoming Mark Gordon Republican Party Yes Bridget Hill Republican Party No Edward Buchanan Republican Party Yes

Changes in triplex status as a result of the 2020 elections

Thirteen states held elections for one or more triplex offices on November 3, 2020. A state government triplex occurs when the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state in a given state are all members of the same political party.

In the November 3 elections, Republicans and Democrats each gained triplex status in one state.

Heading into 2020, there were 36 state government triplexes: 19 Republican triplexes and 17 Democratic triplexes. The remaining 14 states were under divided control, meaning neither party had a triplex. As a result of the November 3 elections, the total number of triplexes increased to 38: 20 Republican triplexes and 18 Democratic triplexes. Twelve states remained under divided control.

Montana


As a result of the 2020 elections, Montana transitioned from divided control to a Republican triplex. Republicans flipped the governor's office and maintained control of the secretary of state and attorney general offices.

Oregon


As a result of the 2020 elections, Oregon transitioned from divided control to a Democratic triplex. Democrats flipped the secretary of state's office and maintained control of the attorney general office. Incumbent Gov. Kate Brown (D) was not up for re-election in 2020.


Changes in triplex status
Democratic triplexes Republican triplexes Divided control
Before 2020 election 17 19 14
After 2020 election 18 20 12



Historical changes in triplex status (2010-2022)

2022

Non-election changes in 2022

On January 10, 2022, David Scanlan (R) was sworn in as New Hampshire Secretary of State after William Gardner (D) retired. Scanlan's swearing-in created a Republican triplex in New Hampshire.

Non-election triplex changes in 2022
State Old triplex control New triplex control
New Hampshire Divided control Republican

2021

The 2021 state executive elections led to the following results:

Triplex changes as a result of the 2021 elections
State Pre-election triplex status Post-election triplex status
Virginia Democratic Republican

Non-election changes in 2021

On November 22, 2021, Steve Hobbs (D) was sworn in as Washington Secretary of State after Kim Wyman (R) resigned to take a job in the Biden Administration. Hobbs' swearing-in created a Democratic triplex in Washington.

Non-election triplex changes in 2021
State Old triplex control New triplex control
Washington Divided control Democratic

2020

The 2020 state executive elections led to the following results:

Triplex changes as a result of the 2020 elections
State Pre-election triplex status Post-election triplex status
Montana Divided control Republican
Oregon Divided control Democratic

2019

The 2019 state executive elections led to the following results:

Triplex changes as a result of the 2019 elections
State Pre-election triplex status Post-election triplex status
Mississippi Divided control Republican

2018

The 2018 state executive elections led to the following results:

  • The Democratic Party gained a net six triplexes, while the Republican Party lost a net four triplexes.
    • Five states (Colorado, Illinois, Maine, New Mexico, and Wisconsin) that had been under divided control gained Democratic triplexes.
    • Four states (Arizona, Kansas, North Dakota, Nevada) that previously had Republican triplexes lost those triplexes.
    • Alaska's independent triplex was replaced by a Republican triplex.
    • Michigan's Republican triplex was replaced by a Democratic triplex.
Triplex changes as a result of the 2018 elections
State Pre-election triplex status Post-election triplex status
Alaska Independent Republican
Arizona Republican Divided control
Colorado Divided control Democratic
Illinois Divided control Democratic
Kansas Republican Divided control
Maine Divided control Democratic
Michigan Republican Democratic
North Dakota Republican Divided control
Nevada Republican Divided control
New Mexico Divided control Democratic
Wisconsin Divided control Democratic

2017

The 2017 state executive elections led to the following results:

Triplex changes as a result of the 2017 elections
State Pre-election triplex status Post-election triplex status
New Jersey Republican Democratic


Non-election changes in 2017
On August 3, 2017, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice changed his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican, giving the Republican Party a triplex in the state.

Non-election triplex changes in 2017
State Old triplex control New triplex control
West Virginia Divided control Republican

2016

The 2016 state executive elections led to the following results:

  • The Republican Party gained one triplex, while the Democratic Party lost a net of two triplexes.
    • Democratic triplexes were replaced with divided control in three states (New Hampshire, Oregon, and Vermont).
    • Two states with divided control were replaced with triplexes (Missouri, which gained a Republican triplex, and North Carolina, which gained a Democratic triplex).
Triplex changes as a result of the 2016 elections
State Old triplex control New triplex control
Missouri Divided control Republican
North Carolina Divided control Democratic
New Hampshire Democratic Divided control
Oregon Democratic Divided control
Vermont Democratic Divided control

2015

The 2015 state executive elections led to the following results:

  • The Democratic Party and the Republican Party each lost one triplex. No party gained a triplex.
    • In Kentucky, a Democratic triplex was replaced with divided control.
    • In Louisiana, a Republican triplex was replaced with divided control.
Triplex changes as a result of the 2015 elections
State Old triplex control New triplex control
Kentucky Democratic Divided control
Louisiana Republican Divided control

2014

The 2014 state executive elections led to the following results:

  • The Republican Party gained a net one triplex, while the Democratic Party lost a net one triplex.
    • In three states (Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maryland), Democratic triplexes were replaced with divided control.
    • In two states (Arkansas, Nevada), divided control was replaced with Republican triplexes.
    • In Alaska, the Republican triplex was replaced with an independent triplex.
Triplex changes as a result of the 2014 elections
State Old triplex control New triplex control
Alaska Republican Democratic
Arkansas Divided control Republican
Illinois Democratic Divided control
Massachusetts Democratic Divided control
Maryland Democratic Divided control
Nevada Divided control Republican
Pennsylvania Divided control Democratic


Non-election changes in 2014
The Tennessee Supreme Court appointed Herbert H. Slatery (R) to succeed Robert E. Cooper, Jr. (D) as attorney general. Slatery was sworn in on October 1, 2014, giving Republicans a triplex.

Non-election triplex changes in 2014
State Old triplex control New triplex control
Tennessee Divided control Republican

2013

The 2013 state executive elections led to the following results:

  • In Virginia, a Republican trifecta was replaced with a Democratic trifecta.
Triplex changes as a result of the 2013 elections
State Old triplex control New triplex control
Virginia Republican Democratic


Non-election changes in 2013
On May 30, 2013, Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, who was elected as an independent, registered as a Democrat. The change gave Rhode Island a Democratic triplex.

Non-election triplex changes in 2013
State Old triplex control New triplex control
Rhode Island Divided control Democratic

2012

The 2012 state executive elections led to the following results:

  • The Democratic Party lost three triplexes and the Republican Party lost one.
    • In Pennsylvania, the Republican triplex was replaced with divided control.
    • In three states (Montana, North Carolina, and West Virginia), Democratic triplexes were replaced with divided control.
Triplex changes as a result of the 2012 elections
State Old triplex control New triplex control
Montana Democratic Divided control
North Carolina Democratic Divided control
Pennsylvania Divided control Republican
West Virginia Democratic Divided control

Non-election changes in 2012
On December 4, 2012, the Maine State Legislature appointed Janet T. Mills (D) as attorney general and Matthew Dunlap (D) as secretary of state, breaking the state's Republican triplex.

Non-election triplex changes in 2012
State Old triplex control New triplex control
Maine Republican Divided control


2011

Non-election changes in 2011
On February 3, 2011, Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, who was elected as a Democratic, registered as a Republican. The change gave Louisiana a Republican triplex.

On January 7, 2011, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear (D) appointed Elaine Walker (D) to replace Trey Grayson (R) as secretary of state. The change gave Kentucky a Democratic triplex.

Non-election triplex changes in 2011
State Old triplex control New triplex control
Louisiana Divided control Republican
Kentucky Divided control Democratic

2010

The 2010 state executive elections led to the following results:

  • The Democratic Party lost a net of two triplexes, while the Republican Party gained a net of seven triplexes.
    • In four states (Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and Pennsylvania), divided control was replaced with Republican triplexes.
    • In three states (Arkansas, Iowa, and New Mexico), Democratic triplexes were replaced with divided control.
    • In four states (California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Vermont), divided control was replaced with Democratic triplexes.
    • In Hawaii, a Republican triplex was replaced with a Democratic triplex.
    • In four states (Kansas, Maine, Ohio, and Oklahoma), Democratic triplexes were replaced with Republican triplexes.
Triplex changes as a result of the 2010 elections
State Old triplex control New triplex control
Arkansas Democratic Divided control
Arizona Divided control Republican
California Divided control Democratic
Connecticut Divided control Democratic
Florida Divided control Republican
Georgia Divided control Republican
Hawaii Republican Democratic
Iowa Democratic Divided control
Kansas Democratic Republican
Maine Democratic Republican
Minnesota Divided control Democratic
New Mexico Democratic Divided control
Ohio Democratic Republican
Oklahoma Democratic Republican
Pennsylvania Divided control Republican
Vermont Divided control Democratic

See also

Footnotes

  1. Ballotpedia chose to highlight these offices because they are typically the most visible positions in states and serve important administrative functions.
  2. This is because it is very uncommon for a governor to appoint an attorney general or secretary of state who directly conflicts with that governor.
  3. https://news.azpm.org/p/newsc/2022/12/29/214301-mayes-wins-arizona-attorney-general-race-after-recount/ Arizona Public Media, "Mayes wins Arizona attorney general race after recount," December 29, 2022]
  4. Twitter, "Nathaniel Rakich," November 28, 2022
  5. Alaska Division of Election, "ElectionSummary," November 23, 2022