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Election results, 2022: State government triplexes
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
- 9:40 a.m.: New Hampshire retained its status as a Republican triplex after Republicans were projected to retain control of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Republicans retained control of the New Hampshire State Senate and Chris Sununu (R) was re-elected governor.[4]
November 23
- 9:06 p.m.: Alaska retained its status as a Republican triplex after incumbent Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) defeated Les Gara (D), Charlie Pierce (R), and Bill Walker (I) in the general election for governor of Alaska. The four candidates advanced from the top-four primary on August 16, 2022. The Alaska Division of Elections released unofficial results showing Dunleavy winning 50.3% of the vote in the first round of ranked-choice voting, enough to win re-election outright.[5]
November 21
- 11:29 p.m.: Wisconsin retained its status as a Democratic triplex after incumbent Doug La Follette (D) was projected as the winner in the general election for Wisconsin secretary of state against Amy Loudenbeck (R), Sharyl McFarland (G), and Neil Harmon (L). Earlier, Tony Evers (D) was re-elected governor and Josh Kaul (D) was re-elected attorney general.
November 11
- 10:36 p.m.: Nevada will be a divided triplex as Joe Lombardo (R) defeated incumbent Gov. Steve Sisolak (D). Incumbent attorney general Aaron Ford (D) won re-election and Cisco Aguilar (D) will succeed Barbara Cegavske (R) as secretary of state.
Post-election state government triplexes
Pre-election state government triplexes
Pre-election analysis
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.
- Governor: Greg Gianforte (R) defeated Mike Cooney (D), Lyman Bishop (L), and write-in Chris Hall (I). Incumbent Gov. Steve Bullock (D) was term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election.
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.
- Secretary of State: Shemia Fagan (D) defeated Kim Thatcher (R), Kyle Markley (L), and Nathalie Paravicini (Pacific Green Party). Incumbent Bev Clarno (R) did not run for re-election, which Brown made a condition of her appointment after the death of former Secretary of State Dennis Richardson (R).
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:
- The Republican Party gained a triplex in Virginia, which had previously been a Democratic triplex.
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:
- The Republican Party gained a triplex in Montana.
- The Democratic Party gained a triplex in Oregon
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:
- The Republican Party gained a triplex in Mississippi.
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:
- The Democratic Party gained a triplex in New Jersey, which had previously been a Republican triplex.
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
- Election results, 2022
- Election results, 2022: Governors
- Election results, 2022: State executive officials
- State legislative elections, 2022
- Election results, 2023: State government triplexes
- State government triplexes
Footnotes
- ↑ Ballotpedia chose to highlight these offices because they are typically the most visible positions in states and serve important administrative functions.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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]
- ↑ Twitter, "Nathaniel Rakich," November 28, 2022
- ↑ Alaska Division of Election, "ElectionSummary," November 23, 2022