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Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2024

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Of the 85 state legislative chambers that held elections in 2024, 22 of them—12 senate chambers and 10 house chambers—included incumbents who were unable to run for re-election due to term limits.[1] In those 22 chambers, term limits affected 1,284 seats up for election.[1]

There are 99 chambers throughout the country. In 31 legislative chambers across 16 states, state legislators are subject to term limits. In the United States, there are 1,973 state senate seats and 5,413 state house seats. Of the 1,973 senate seats, 609 seats (30.9%) are subject to term limits. Of the 5,413 house seats, 1,460 seats (27.0%) are subject to term limits. Of the total 7,386 state legislative seats, 2,069 (28.0%) are limited.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • In 2024, 179 state legislators—77 state senators and 102 state representatives—were term-limited in 2024. This represented 3.1% of the 5,807 total seats up for election in November 2024.[2]
  • There were fewer term-limited legislators in 2024 than in 2022 and 2020. In 2022 and 2020, there were 252 and 211 term-limited state legislators, respectively. Ballotpedia tracked the most term-limited legislators in 2010 when 375 legislators were termed out.
  • 100 Republicans were term-limited, while 66 Democrats and 13 independents were term-limited. In even-numbered election years between 2010 and 2022, Democrats averaged about 99 term-limited legislators, while Republicans averaged 148 term-limited legislators.
  • The Nebraska State Senate and Montana House of Representatives had the highest percentage of term-limited legislators in 2024. In the Nebraska Senate, 52% of the incumbents up for election were term-limited, while 17% of the Montana House were term-limited.


    • Term-limited legislators by state

    The map below shows the 16 states that use term limits for state legislators. All 16 states held elections in 2024 except Louisiana.[1] Louisiana holds state legislative elections every four years in odd-numbered years. Click on a state below to see the total number of term-limited state legislators in 2024 as well as a breakdown of the totals for each legislative chamber.


    States where term limits had the greatest impact

    • The Nebraska State Senate had the highest percentage of state senators term-limited in 2024. Of the 25 seats up for election, 13 Nebraska senators, or 52% of the chamber, were term-limited in 2024.
    • Montana's House had the highest percentage of term-limited state representatives in 2024. 17 of the 100 seats up for election in 2024 (17%) had term-limited incumbents. The second-highest number of term-limited representatives was in Missouri. The Missouri House of Representatives had 22 state representatives term-limited out of the 163 seats up for election in 2024, or 13.5% of the chamber.

    States where term limits had the least impact

    • Arkansas' Senate had the lowest percentage of term-limited state senators in 2024. None of the 18 senate seats up for election in 2024 (0%) had term-limited incumbents.
    • The Arkansas House of Representatives, Michigan House of Representatives, and Nevada State Assembly were tied with the lowest impact by term limits in the 2024 elections. None of the states had representatives impacted by term limits in 2024. The second-lowest number of term-limited representatives was in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma House of Representatives had four state representatives term-limited out of the 101 seats up for election in 2024, or 4% of the chamber.


    Democratic and Republican term-limited incumbents

    Term limits can often affect the competitiveness of a state legislative election because term limits create open seats. Open seats are believed to be more electorally competitive than seats in which an incumbent is running for re-election because incumbents tend to win re-election. A 2015 study by Ballotpedia found that in state legislative elections between 1972 and 2014, the incumbency win rate never fell below 90 percent, except for 1974 when 88 percent of incumbents won re-election.

    166 state legislators associated with either the Democratic or Republican parties—66 Democratic and 100 Republican—were term-limited in 2024. Thirteen independent incumbents were also term-limited.

    Senate

    In total, 77 state senators—27 Democrats, 37 Republicans, and 13 nonpartisan—were term-limited in 2024. Going into the November elections, Democrats had majorities in four of the 13 term-limited state senates. Republicans had majorities in eight of the 13 state senates. Nebraska's state Senate is term-limited and officially nonpartisan.

    Three state senates—California, Colorado, and Maine—had more term-limited Democrats than Republicans. Six state senates—Florida, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Dakota—had more term-limited Republicans than Democrats. Two states—Arizona and Nevada—had the same number of term-limited Republicans and Democrats while Arkansas did not have any term-limited senators.

    2024 term-limited state senate elections
    State Majority party Democratic Party Democratic
    term-limited         		Republican Party Republican
    term-limited         		Independent Nonpartisan
    term-limited         		Seats up in 2024 % of seats
    Arizona Republican 1 1 0 30 6.7%
    Arkansas Republican 0 0 0 18 0.0%
    California Democratic 7 2 0 20 45.0%
    Colorado Democratic 5 2 0 18 38.9%
    Florida Republican 3 5 0 20 40.0%
    Maine Democratic 3 1 0 35 11.4%
    Missouri Republican 2 4 0 17 35.3%
    Montana Republican 2 7 0 25 36.0%
    Nebraska Nonpartisan[3] 0 0 13 25 52.0%
    Nevada Democratic 1 1 0 10 20.0%
    Ohio Republican 1 4 0 16 31.3%
    Oklahoma Republican 1 3 0 24 16.7%
    South Dakota Republican 1 7 0 35 22.9%
    Total 27 37 13 293 26.3%

    House

    In total, 102 state representatives—39 Democrats and 63 Republicans—were term-limited in 2024. Going into the November elections, Democrats had majorities in four of the 13 term-limited state houses. Republicans had majorities in nine of the 13 state house of representatives.[4]

    Four state houses—California, Colorado, Maine and Missouri had more term-limited Democrats than Republicans. Six state houses—Arizona, Florida, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Dakota—had more term-limited Republicans than Democrats. Three states—Arkansas, Michigan, and Nevada—did not have any term limited representatives.

    2024 term-limited state house elections
    State Majority party Democratic Party Democratic
    term-limited         		Republican Party Republican
    term-limited         		Independent Nonpartisan
    term-limited         		Seats up in 2024 % of seats
    Arizona Republican 0 4 0 60 6.7%
    Arkansas Republican 0 0 0 100 0.0%
    California Republican 6 2 0 80 10.0%
    Colorado Democratic 4 1 0 65 7.7%
    Florida Democratic 2 13 0 120 12.5%
    Maine Republican 8 3 0 151 7.3%
    Michigan Democratic 0 0 0 110 0.0%
    Missouri Republican 12 10 0 163 13.5%
    Montana Republican 6 11 0 100 17.0%
    Nevada Democratic 0 0 0 42 0.0%
    Ohio Republican 0 9 0 99 9.1%
    Oklahoma Republican 0 4 0 101 4.0%
    South Dakota Republican 1 6 0 70 10.0%
    Total 39 63 0 1261 8.1%

    State senators

    See also: Impact of term limits on state senate elections in 2022 and Impact of term limits on state senate elections in 2023

    There were 42 state senates that held general elections in 2024. In 13 of these states, state senators were term-limited. Louisiana and Michigan were the only states with state senate term limits that did not have a general election in 2024. The Arkansas State Senate was up for election in 2024 and has term limits, but no senators were impacted by term limits in 2024.

    77 state senators were term-limited. This represented 26% of the 293 seats up for election in the 13 term-limited state senates with elections on Nov. 5. This included:

    • 27 incumbent Democratic state senators
    • 37 incumbent Republican state senators
    • 13 nonpartisan state senators

    Some of the 77 state senators listed below may have resigned before their term ended. These officials were still counted in the total number of term-limited state senators in 2024.

    1. Juan Mendez (D), Arizona State Senate, District 8.
    2. Sonny Borrelli (R), Arizona State Senate, District 30.
    3. Brian Dahle (R), California State Senate, District 1.
    4. Bill Dodd (D), California State Senate, District 3.
    5. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D), California State Senate, District 5.
    6. Nancy Skinner (D), California State Senate, District 9.
    7. Scott Wilk (R), California State Senate, District 21.
    8. Anthony Portantino, Jr. (D), California State Senate, District 25.
    9. Richard Roth (D), California State Senate, District 31.
    10. Steven Bradford (D), California State Senate, District 35.
    11. Toni Atkins (D), California State Senate, District 39.
    12. Jim Smallwood (R), Colorado State Senate, District 2.
    13. Bob Gardner (R), Colorado State Senate, District 12.
    14. Kevin Priola (D), Colorado State Senate, District 13.
    15. Joann Ginal (D), Colorado State Senate, District 14.
    16. Stephen Fenberg (D), Colorado State Senate, District 18.
    17. Rachel Zenzinger (D), Colorado State Senate, District 19.
    18. Rhonda Fields (D), Colorado State Senate, District 28.
    19. Doug Broxson (R), Florida State Senate, District 1.
    20. Travis Hutson (R), Florida State Senate, District 7.
    21. Keith Perry (R), Florida State Senate, District 9.
    22. Dennis Baxley (R), Florida State Senate, District 13.
    23. Linda Stewart (D), Florida State Senate, District 17.
    24. Debbie Mayfield (R), Florida State Senate, District 19.
    25. Victor Torres (D), Florida State Senate, District 25.
    26. Lauren Book (D), Florida State Senate, District 35.
    27. Troy Dale Jackson (D), Maine State Senate, District 1.
    28. Lisa Keim (R), Maine State Senate, District 19.
    29. Eloise Vitelli (D), Maine State Senate, District 24.
    31. John Rizzo (D), Missouri State Senate, District 11.
    32. Andrew Koenig (R), Missouri State Senate, District 15.
    33. Lauren Arthur (D), Missouri State Senate, District 17.
    34. Caleb Rowden (R), Missouri State Senate, District 19.
    35. Denny Hoskins (R), Missouri State Senate, District 21.
    36. Bill Eigel (R), Missouri State Senate, District 23.
    37. Keith Regier (R), Montana State Senate, District 3.
    38. Steve Fitzpatrick (R), Montana State Senate, District 10.
    39. Mike Lang (R), Montana State Senate, District 17.
    40. Steve Hinebauch (R), Montana State Senate, District 18.
    41. Jason Small (R), Montana State Senate, District 21.
    42. Jen Gross (D), Montana State Senate, District 25.
    43. Jeffrey Welborn (R), Montana State Senate, District 36.
    44. Edith McClafferty (D), Montana State Senate, District 38.
    45. Daniel Salomon (R), Montana State Senate, District 47.
    46. Carol Blood (Nonpartisan), Nebraska State Senate, District 3.
    47. Mike McDonnell (Nonpartisan), Nebraska State Senate, District 5.
    48. Tony Vargas (Nonpartisan), Nebraska State Senate, District 7.
    49. Justin T. Wayne (Nonpartisan), Nebraska State Senate, District 13.
    50. Lynne Walz (Nonpartisan), Nebraska State Senate, District 15.
    51. Joni Albrecht (Nonpartisan), Nebraska State Senate, District 17.
    52. Bruce Bostelman (Nonpartisan), Nebraska State Senate, District 23.
    53. Anna Wishart (Nonpartisan), Nebraska State Senate, District 27.
    54. Steve Halloran (Nonpartisan), Nebraska State Senate, District 33.
    55. John Lowe (Nonpartisan), Nebraska State Senate, District 37.
    56. Lou Ann Linehan (Nonpartisan), Nebraska State Senate, District 39.
    57. Tom Brewer (Nonpartisan), Nebraska State Senate, District 43.
    58. Steve Erdman (Nonpartisan), Nebraska State Senate, District 47.
    59. Patricia Spearman (D), Nevada State Senate, District 1.
    60. Peter Goicoechea (R), Nevada State Senate, District 19.
    61. Robert Hackett (R), Ohio State Senate, District 10.
    62. Matt Huffman (R), Ohio State Senate, District 12.
    63. Stephanie Kunze (R), Ohio State Senate, District 16.
    64. Matt Dolan (R), Ohio State Senate, District 24.
    65. Vernon Sykes (D), Ohio State Senate, District 28.
    66. Kevin Matthews (D), Oklahoma State Senate, District 11.
    67. Rob Standridge (R), Oklahoma State Senate, District 15.
    68. Nathan Dahm (R), Oklahoma State Senate, District 33.
    69. Greg Treat (R), Oklahoma State Senate, District 47.
    70. Al Novstrup (R), South Dakota State Senate, District 3.
    71. John Wiik (R), South Dakota State Senate, District 4.
    72. Jim Stalzer (R), South Dakota State Senate, District 11.
    73. Jack Kolbeck (R), South Dakota State Senate, District 13.
    74. Reynold Nesiba (D), South Dakota State Senate, District 15.
    75. James Bolin (R), South Dakota State Senate, District 16.
    76. Joshua Klumb (R), South Dakota State Senate, District 20.
    77. Ryan Maher (R), South Dakota State Senate, District 28.


    State representatives

    See also: Impact of term limits on state representative elections in 2022 and Impact of term limits on state representative elections in 2023

    There were 43 state houses that held general elections in 2024. In 13 of these states, state representatives were term-limited. Louisiana did not hold state house elections in 2024 and Nebraska does not have a state house. The Arkansas House of Representatives, Michigan House of Representatives, and Nevada State Assembly were up for election in 2024 and have term limits, but no representatives were impacted by term limits in 2024.

    102 state representatives were term-limited in 2024. This represented 8.1% of the 1,261 seats up for election in the 13 term-limited state houses with elections on Nov. 5.[4] This included:

    • 39 incumbent Democratic state representatives
    • 63 incumbent Republican state representatives

    Some of the 102 state representatives listed below may have resigned before their term ended. These officials were still counted in the total number of term-limited state representatives in 2024.

    1. David Cook (R), Arizona House of Representatives, District 7.
    2. Travis Grantham (R), Arizona House of Representatives, District 14.
    3. Kevin Payne (R), Arizona House of Representatives, District 27.
    4. Ben Toma (R), Arizona House of Representatives, District 27.
    5. Jim Patterson (R), California House of Representatives, District 8.
    6. Phil Ting (D), California House of Representatives, District 19.
    7. Chris Holden (D), California House of Representatives, District 41.
    8. Freddie Rodriguez (D), California House of Representatives, District 53.
    9. Reginald Jones-Sawyer (D), California House of Representatives, District 57.
    10. Anthony Rendon (D), California House of Representatives, District 62.
    11. Marie Waldron (R), California House of Representatives, District 75.
    12. Brian Maienschein (D), California House of Representatives, District 76.
    13. Leslie Herod (D), Colorado House of Representatives, District 8.
    14. Christopher Louis Kennedy (D), Colorado House of Representatives, District 30.
    15. Mike Weissman (D), Colorado House of Representatives, District 36.
    16. Marc Catlin (R), Colorado House of Representatives, District 58.
    17. Barbara Hall McLachlan (D), Colorado House of Representatives, District 59.
    18. Cyndi Stevenson (R), Florida House of Representatives, District 18.
    19. Paul M. Renner (R), Florida House of Representatives, District 19.
    20. Bobby Payne (R), Florida House of Representatives, District 20.
    21. Chuck Clemons (R), Florida House of Representatives, District 22.
    22. Ralph Massullo Jr. (R), Florida House of Representatives, District 23.
    23. Stan McClain (R), Florida House of Representatives, District 27.
    24. Tom Leek (R), Florida House of Representatives, District 28.
    25. Thad Altman (R), Florida House of Representatives, District 32.
    26. Randy Fine (R), Florida House of Representatives, District 33.
    27. Sam Killebrew (R), Florida House of Representatives, District 48.
    28. Michael Grant (R), Florida House of Representatives, District 75.
    29. Bob Rommel (R), Florida House of Representatives, District 81.
    31. Rick Roth (R), Florida House of Representatives, District 94.
    32. Patricia Hawkins-Williams (D), Florida House of Representatives, District 98.
    33. Anne Perry (D), Maine House of Representatives, District 9.
    34. David Haggan (R), Maine House of Representatives, District 36.
    35. Stanley Zeigler (D), Maine House of Representatives, District 40.
    36. Richard Bradstreet (R), Maine House of Representatives, District 61.
    37. Colleen Madigan (D), Maine House of Representatives, District 64.
    38. Jessica Fay (D), Maine House of Representatives, District 86.
    39. Maureen Terry (D), Maine House of Representatives, District 108.
    40. Benjamin Collings (D), Maine House of Representatives, District 114.
    41. Rachel Talbot Ross (D), Maine House of Representatives, District 118.
    42. Margaret O'Neil (D), Maine House of Representatives, District 129.
    43. Heidi Sampson (R), Maine House of Representatives, District 136.
    44. Ingrid Burnett (D), Missouri House of Representatives, District 19.
    45. Richard Brown (D), Missouri House of Representatives, District 27.
    46. Jerome Barnes (D), Missouri House of Representatives, District 28.
    47. Dan Stacy (R), Missouri House of Representatives, District 31.
    48. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R), Missouri House of Representatives, District 44.
    49. Dan Houx (R), Missouri House of Representatives, District 54.
    50. Jay Mosley (D), Missouri House of Representatives, District 68.
    51. Gretchen Bangert (D), Missouri House of Representatives, District 70.
    52. Alan Gray (D), Missouri House of Representatives, District 75.
    53. Peter Merideth (D), Missouri House of Representatives, District 80.
    54. Donna Baringer (D), Missouri House of Representatives, District 82.
    55. Sarah Unsicker (D), Missouri House of Representatives, District 83.
    56. Joe Adams (D), Missouri House of Representatives, District 86.
    57. Dean Plocher (R), Missouri House of Representatives, District 89.
    58. Deb Lavender (D), Missouri House of Representatives, District 98.
    59. Phil Christofanelli (R), Missouri House of Representatives, District 104.
    60. Mike Henderson (R), Missouri House of Representatives, District 117.
    61. Mike Stephens (R), Missouri House of Representatives, District 128.
    62. Crystal Quade (D), Missouri House of Representatives, District 132.
    63. Hannah Kelly (R), Missouri House of Representatives, District 141.
    64. Rick Francis (R), Missouri House of Representatives, District 145.
    65. Cody Smith (R), Missouri House of Representatives, District 163.
    66. Steve Gunderson (R), Montana House of Representatives, District 1.
    67. Matt Regier (R), Montana House of Representatives, District 4.
    68. Dave Fern (D), Montana House of Representatives, District 5.
    69. Denley Loge (R), Montana House of Representatives, District 14.
    70. Ross Fitzgerald (R), Montana House of Representatives, District 17.
    71. Fred Anderson (R), Montana House of Representatives, District 20.
    72. Lola Sheldon-Galloway (R), Montana House of Representatives, District 22.
    73. Jonathan Windy Boy (D), Montana House of Representatives, District 32.
    74. Casey Knudsen (R), Montana House of Representatives, District 33.
    75. Sharon Stewart-Peregoy (D), Montana House of Representatives, District 42.
    76. Sue Vinton (R), Montana House of Representatives, District 56.
    77. Laurie Bishop (D), Montana House of Representatives, District 60.
    78. Jim Hamilton (D), Montana House of Representatives, District 61.
    79. Tom Welch (R), Montana House of Representatives, District 72.
    80. Kim Abbott (D), Montana House of Representatives, District 83.
    81. Mike Hopkins (R), Montana House of Representatives, District 92.
    82. Joe Read (R), Montana House of Representatives, District 93.
    83. Thomas Patton (R), Ohio House of Representatives, District 17.
    84. Bill Seitz (R), Ohio House of Representatives, District 30.
    85. Derek Merrin (R), Ohio House of Representatives, District 42.
    86. Dick Stein (R), Ohio House of Representatives, District 54.
    87. Scott Lipps (R), Ohio House of Representatives, District 55.
    88. Bill Dean (R), Ohio House of Representatives, District 71.
    89. Scott Wiggam (R), Ohio House of Representatives, District 77.
    90. Jay Edwards (R), Ohio House of Representatives, District 94.
    91. Darrell Kick (R), Ohio House of Representatives, District 98.
    92. Charles McCall (R), Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 22.
    93. Terry O'Donnell (R), Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 23.
    94. Mark McBride (R), Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 53.
    95. Jon Echols (R), Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 90.
    96. Hugh Bartels (R), South Dakota House of Representatives, District 5.
    97. John Mills (R), South Dakota House of Representatives, District 8.
    98. Chris Karr (R), South Dakota House of Representatives, District 11.
    99. Sue Peterson (R), South Dakota House of Representatives, District 13.
    100. Kevin Jensen (R), South Dakota House of Representatives, District 16.
    101. Roger Chase (R), South Dakota House of Representatives, District 22.
    102. Oren Lesmeister (D), South Dakota House of Representatives, District 28A.


    Year-to-year comparisons

    Overview

    The table below shows term-limited state legislators by year from 2010 to 2024. Between those years, 2,125 state legislators were term-limited. Republicans had 294 more term-limited legislators than Democrats.

    • Democratic legislators term-limited: 875
    • Republican legislators term-limited: 1,169
    • Nonpartisan legislators term-limited: 81
    Term-limited state legislators by year
    Year Democratic Party Dem. senators Republican Party Rep. senators Independent Nonpartisan sentators Democratic Party Dem. representatives Republican Party Rep. representatives Independent Nonpartisan representatives Total term-limited
    2024 27 37 13 39 63 0 179
    2023 2 5 0 4 11 0 22
    2022 28 47 11 58 108 0 252
    2021 - - - - - - -
    2020 21 33 6 61 89 1 211
    2019 4 12 0 13 17 1 47
    2018 28 62 6 58 115 2 271
    2017 - - - - - - -
    2016 29 26 12 84 102 0 253
    2015 3 4 0 7 7 0 21
    2014 22 24 17 73 87 0 223
    2013 - - - - - - -
    2012 35 40 8 87 85 0 255
    2011 5 1 0 5 4 1 16
    2010 54 66 1 128 124 2 375
    Total 258 357 74 617 812 7 2,125


    2024

    See also: Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2024

    In 2024, 179 state legislators were ineligible to run for office because of term limits. A total of 77 state senators were term-limited in 2024. A total of 102 state representatives were termed out in 2024.

    Incumbents

    The following table shows the number of term-limited state legislators in 2024 broken down by party and chamber.

    2024 term-limited incumbents
    Party # of termed senators # of termed representatives Total
    Democratic 27 39 66
    Republican 37 63 100
    Independent/Nonpartisan 13 0 13
    Total 77 102 179

    2023

    See also: Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2023

    In 2023, 22 state legislators were ineligible to run for office because of term limits. A total of seven state senators were term-limited in 2023. A total of 15 state representatives were termed out in 2023. Louisiana was the only state holding elections for a term-limited legislature in 2023.

    Incumbents

    The following table shows the number of term-limited state legislators in 2023 broken down by party and chamber.

    2023 term-limited incumbents
    Party # of termed senators # of termed representatives Total
    Democratic 2 4 6
    Republican 5 11 16
    Total 7 15 22


    2022

    See also: Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2022

    In 2022, 252 state legislators were ineligible to run for office because of term limits. A total of 86 state senators were term-limited in 2022. A total of 166 state representatives were termed out in 2022.

    Incumbents

    The following table shows the number of term-limited state legislators in 2022 broken down by party and chamber.

    2022 term-limited incumbents
    Party # of termed senators # of termed representatives Total
    Democratic 28 58 86
    Republican 47 108 155
    Independent/Nonpartisan 11 0 11
    Total 86 166 252

    2021

    See also: Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2021

    No states with term limits held elections in 2021.


    2020

    See also: Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2020

    In 2020, 211 state legislators were ineligible to run for office because of term limits. A total of 60 state senators were term-limited in 2020. A total of 151 state representatives were termed out in 2020.

    Incumbents

    The following table detailed the number of state legislators unable to run for re-election in 2020 due to term limits broken down by party and chamber.

    2020 term-limited incumbents
    Party # of termed senators # of termed representatives Total
    Democratic 21 61 82
    Republican 33 89 122
    Independent/Nonpartisan 6 1 7
    Total 60 151 211

    2019

    See also: Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2019

    In 2019, 47 state legislators were ineligible to run for office because of term limits. Louisiana was the only state holding elections for a term-limited legislature in 2019.

    Incumbents

    The following table detailed the number of state legislators unable to run for re-election in 2019 due to term limits broken down by party and chamber.

    2019 term-limited incumbents
    Party # of termed senators # of termed representatives Total
    Democratic 4 13 17
    Republican 12 17 29
    Independent 0 1 1
    Total 16 31 47

    2018

    See also: Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2018

    In 2018, 271 state legislators were termed out in state senates and state houses combined. A total of 96 state senators were term-limited in 2018. A total of 175 state representatives were termed out in 2018.

    As a result of term limits in the 2018 state legislative elections, more Republican legislators were ineligible to run than Democratic legislators.

    Incumbents

    The following table detailed the number of state legislators unable to run for re-election in 2018 due to term limits broken down by party and chamber.

    2018 term-limited incumbents
    Party # of termed senators # of termed representatives Total
    Democratic 28 58 86
    Republican 62 115 177
    Minor Party/
    Nonpartisan     		6[5] 2 8
    Total 96 175 271


    Chambers

    The following table detailed the number of chambers where one party lost more incumbents due to term limits in 2018.

    2018 chambers with the most losses
    Party Senates with most losses Houses with most losses Total
    Democratic 1 4 5
    Republican 8 8 16
    Equal D/R losses (or nonpartisan chamber) 5 1 6
    Total 14 13 27

    Post-election results

    Thirty-five of the 271 term-limited seats (12.9%) changed partisan control in the 2018 elections. Democrats had a net gain of 15 seats and Republicans had a net loss of 13 seats. Ten seats switched from Democrat to Republican, 23 seats flipped from Republican to Democrat, and two seats changed from independent to Democrat.[6]

    Nebraska senators are officially nonpartisan. Five Nebraska senators term-limited in 2018 were affiliated with the Republican Party, while the other was affiliated with the Democratic Party. The Nebraska senators were counted as major party incumbents in the post-election results.

    2018 post-election results
    Party Pre-election Post-election
    Democratic 87 102
    Republican 182 169
    Minor Party/Nonpartisan 2[7] 0


    Post-election partisan change of term-limited seats
    Name Party Office District 2018 election winner Party
    Joseph Schiavoni Democratic Ohio State Senate District 33 Michael Rulli Republican
    Randy Bass Democratic Oklahoma State Senate District 32 John Montgomery Republican
    Billie Sutton Democratic South Dakota State Senate District 21 Rocky Blare Republican
    Anthony Cannella Republican California State Senate District 12 Anna Caballero Democratic
    Brian Langley Republican Maine State Senate District 7 Louis Luchini Democratic
    Michael Thibodeau Republican Maine State Senate District 11 Erin Herbig Democratic
    Dave Hildenbrand Republican Michigan State Senate District 29 Winnie Brinks Democratic
    James Marleau Republican Michigan State Senate District 12 Rosemary Bayer Democratic
    Patrick Colbeck Republican Michigan State Senate District 7 Dayna Polehanki Democratic
    Edward Buttrey Republican Montana State Senate District 11 Tom Jacobson Democratic
    Bob Krist Republican Nebraska State Senate District 10 Wendy DeBoer Democratic
    Kevin Bacon Republican Ohio State Senate District 3 Tina Maharath Democratic
    J.D. Mesnard Republican Arizona House of Representatives District 17 Jennifer Pawlik Democratic
    Wayne Parry Republican Maine House of Representatives District 10 Henry Ingwersen Democratic
    Ralph Chapman Independent Maine House of Representatives District 133 Sarah Pebworth Democratic
    Heather Sirocki Republican Maine House of Representatives District 28 Christopher Caiazzo Democratic
    Denise Harlow Independent Maine House of Representatives District 36 Michael Brennan Democratic
    Deborah Sanderson Republican Maine House of Representatives District 88 Chloe Maxmin Democratic
    James Gillway Republican Maine House of Representatives District 98 Scott Cuddy Democratic
    Michael McCready Republican Michigan House of Representatives District 40 Mari Manoogian Democratic
    Martin Howrylak Republican Michigan House of Representatives District 41 Padma Kuppa Democratic
    Gary Cross Republican Missouri House of Representatives District 35 Keri Ingle Democratic
    Anne Gonzales Republican Ohio House of Representatives District 19 Mary Lightbody Democratic
    Mike Duffey Republican Ohio House of Representatives District 21 Beth Liston Democratic
    Kristina Daley Roegner Republican Ohio House of Representatives District 37 Casey Weinstein Democratic
    Marlene Anielski Republican Ohio House of Representatives District 6 Phil Robinson Democratic
    Weldon Watson Republican Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 Melissa Provenzano Democratic
    Randy McDaniel Republican Oklahoma House of Representatives District 83 Chelsey Branham Democratic
    Scott Dianda Democratic Michigan House of Representatives District 110 Gregory Markkanen Republican
    Pat Conway Democratic Missouri House of Representatives District 10 Bill Falkner Republican
    Ben Harris Democratic Missouri House of Representatives District 118 Mike McGirl Republican
    Ed Cannaday Democratic Oklahoma House of Representatives District 15 Randy Randleman Republican
    Brian Renegar Democratic Oklahoma House of Representatives District 17 Jim Grego Republican
    Spencer Hawley Democratic South Dakota House of Representatives District 7 Doug Post Republican
    Chuck Hoskin Democratic Oklahoma House of Representatives District 6 Rusty Cornwell Republican

    2017

    No states with term limits held elections in 2017.


    2016

    See also: Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2016

    In 2016, 253 state legislators were termed out in state senates and state houses combined. A total of 67 state senators were termed out in 2016. This represented 20.2 percent of the 331 total state senate seats up for election in the 13 term-limited state senates with elections in November 2016. A total of 186 state representatives were termed out. This represented 14.8 percent of the 1,261 total seats up for election in the 13 term-limited state houses with elections in November 2016.

    Incumbents

    The following table detailed the number of state legislators unable to run for re-election in 2016 due to term limits broken down by party and chamber.

    2016 term-limited incumbents
    Party # of termed senators # of termed representatives Total
    Democratic 29 84 113
    Republican 26 102 128
    Nonpartisan 12 0 12
    Total 67 186 253

    Chambers

    The following table detailed the number of chambers where one party lost more incumbents due to term limits in 2016.

    2016 chambers with the most losses
    Party Senates with most losses Houses with most losses Total
    Democratic 5 4 9
    Republican 5 8 13
    Equal D/R losses (or nonpartisan chamber) 3 1 4
    Total 13 13 26

    2015

    See also: Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2015

    In 2015, 21 state legislators were ineligible to run for office because of term limits. Louisiana was the only state holding elections for a term-limited legislature in 2015.

    Incumbents

    The following table detailed the number of state legislators unable to run for re-election in 2015 due to term limits broken down by party and chamber.

    2015 term-limited incumbents
    Party # of termed senators # of termed representatives Total
    Democratic 3 7 10
    Republican 4 7 11
    Total 7 14 21

    2014

    See also: Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2014

    In 2014, a total of 223 state legislators were ineligible to run for office because of term limits. This was 14 percent of the 1,592 state legislative seats up for election in the 14 term-limited states with 2014 elections, and 3.7 percent of the 6,047 state legislative seats that were up for election altogether in 2014, including the non-term-limited states.

    Incumbents

    The following table detailed the number of state legislators unable to run for re-election in 2014 due to term limits broken down by party and chamber.

    2014 term-limited incumbents
    Party # of termed senators # of termed representatives Total
    Democratic 22 73 95
    Republican 24 87 111
    Nonpartisan 17 0 17
    Total 63 160 223

    Chambers

    The following table detailed the number of chambers where one party lost more incumbents due to term limits in 2014.

    2014 chambers with the most losses
    Party Senates with most losses Houses with most losses Total
    Democratic 6 4 10
    Republican 5 9 14
    Equal D/R losses (or nonpartisan chamber) 2 0 2
    Total 13 13 26


    2013

    No states with term limits held elections in 2013.

    2012

    See also: Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2012

    In 2012, 255 state legislators were ineligible to run for office because of term limits. This was 14.3 percent of the 1,786 state legislative seats up for election in the 14 term-limited states with 2012 elections, and about 4 percent of the 6,015 state legislative seats that were up for election altogether in 2012, including the non-term-limited states.

    In 2012, the last election cycle in which the same seats were up for election as 2016, Republicans had a marginal disadvantage in terms of the number incumbents lost to term limits as well as the number of chambers in which each party saw more members lost to term limits. However, Democrats lost one more state representative than Republicans did during this cycle.

    Incumbents

    The following table detailed the number of state legislators unable to run for re-election in 2012 due to term limits broken down by party and chamber.

    2012 term-limited incumbents
    Party # of termed senators # of termed representatives Total
    Democratic 35 87 122
    Republican 40 85 125
    Nonpartisan 8 0 8
    Total 83 172 255

    Chambers

    The following table detailed the number of chambers where one party lost more incumbents due to term limits in 2012.

    2012 chambers with the most losses
    Party Senates with most losses Houses with most losses Total
    Democratic 4 6 10
    Republican 5 7 12
    Equal D/R losses (or nonpartisan chamber) 4 0 4
    Total 13 13 26

    2011

    See also: Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2011

    In 2011, 16 state legislators were ineligible to run for office because of term limits. Louisiana was the only state with term limits that held an election in 2011. The 16 state legislators termed-out in 2011 made up 10.4 percent of the total legislative seats up for election in Louisiana.

    There were six state senators termed-out in 2011, making up 15.4 percent of the 39 state senate seats up for election in 2011. There were ten state representatives termed-out in 2011, making up 9.5 percent of the 105 state representative seats up for election in 2011.

    Incumbents

    The following table detailed the number of state legislators unable to run for re-election in 2011 due to term limits broken down by party and chamber.

    2011 term-limited incumbents
    Party # of termed senators # of termed representatives Total
    Democratic 5 5 10
    Republican 1 4 5
    Minor Party/
    Nonpartisan     		0 1 1
    Total 6 10 16

    2010

    See also: Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2010

    In 2010, 375 state legislators were ineligible to run for office because of term limits. This was 23 percent of the 1,600 state legislative seats up for election in the 14 term-limited states with 2010 elections.

    The Republican Party had more members impacted by term limits in the 2010 state legislative elections than the Democratic Party, both in terms of how many individual incumbent legislators the Republican Party lost (190, versus 182 for the Democratic Party) and in terms of how many state legislative chambers lost more Republicans (13, versus 10 for the Democratic Party).

    Incumbents

    The following table detailed the number of state legislators unable to run for re-election in 2010 due to term limits broken down by party and chamber.

    2010 term-limited incumbents
    Party # of termed senators # of termed representatives Total
    Democratic 54 128 182
    Republican 66 124 190
    Nonpartisan 1 2 3
    Total 121 254 375

    Chambers

    The following table detailed the number of chambers where one party lost more incumbents due to term limits in 2010.

    2010 chambers with the most losses
    Party Senates with most losses Houses with most losses Total
    Democratic 4 6 10
    Republican 7 6 13
    Equal D/R losses 2 1 3
    Total 13 13 26

    See also

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Arkansas General Assembly, Michigan House of Representatives, and Nevada State Assembly were up for election in 2024 and have term limits, but no incumbents were term-limited in 2024. In the four chambers, a total of 270 seats were up for election in 2024. The Michigan State Senate did not hold a general election in 2024. In 2022, North Dakota voters approved term limits that went into effect on January 1, 2023. Legislators will not be termed-out until 2030.
    2. ↑ Some of the 179 term-limited state legislators in 2024 may have resigned before their term ends. These legislators were still counted in the total number of term-limited legislators in 2024.
    3. ↑ The Nebraska Senate is officially nonpartisan, but is held by the Republican Party. Seven Republicans and six Democrats were term-limited in 2024. For more information on how Ballotpedia determined the partisan affiliation for Nebraska senators, please click here.
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Arkansas House of Representatives, Michigan House of Representatives, and Nevada State Assembly were all up for election in 2024 and have term limits, but no representatives were impacted by term limits in 2024.
    5. ↑ Nebraska senators are officially nonpartisan. Five Nebraska senators term-limited in 2018 were affiliated with the Republican Party, while the other was affiliated with the Democratic Party.
    6. ↑ Google Spreadsheet, "Post-election term limits results, 2018," accessed April 25, 2019
    7. ↑ Nebraska senators are officially nonpartisan. Five Nebraska senators term-limited in 2018 were affiliated with the Republican Party, while the other was affiliated with the Democratic Party. The Nebraska senators were counted as major party incumbents in the post-election results.
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