Incumbents defeated in state legislative elections, 2015

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There were 538 state legislative seats up for election in November 2015 in four states. This page analyzes incumbents defeated in those elections. An incumbent may be defeated at two points in an election cycle: during a primary and during a general election.[1]
In 2015, 28 incumbents lost their re-election bids: 12 in general elections and 16 in primaries. This was more than in 2013 (7) but less than in 2011 (30).
On this page, you will find:
Incumbents defeated in general elections
In state legislative general elections, 12 lost to challengers, 2.7% of incumbents running for re-election. This was more than in 2013 (5) but less than in 2011 (21).
In 2015 general elections:
In 2015
Click [show] on the table below to view general election incumbent defeat statistics by state in 2015. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
State legislative incumbents defeated in general elections, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic | Republican | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Filed | Def. | % | Filed | Def. | % | Filed | Def. | % | ||||||||||||||||
Nationwide | 182 | 2 | 1.1% | 259 | 10 | 3.9% | 443 | 12 | 2.7% | |||||||||||||||
Louisiana | 37 | 0 | 0.0% | 68 | 4 | 5.9% | 107 | 4 | 3.7% | |||||||||||||||
Mississippi | 59 | 2 | 3.4% | 83 | 2 | 2.4% | 142 | 4 | 2.8% | |||||||||||||||
New Jersey | 42 | 0 | 0.0% | 30 | 4 | 13.3% | 72 | 4 | 5.6% | |||||||||||||||
Virginia | 44 | 0 | 0.0% | 78 | 0 | 0.0% | 122 | 0 | 0.0% |
Historical comparison
The chart below shows a partisan breakdown of incumbents defeated in general elections from 2011 to 2015.
Click [show] on the table below to view general election incumbent defeat statistics by state from 2011 to 2015. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
State legislative incumbents defeated in general elections, 2011-2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2013 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Def. | % | Def. | % | Def. | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Nationwide | 21 | 4.4% | 5 | 2.5% | 12 | 2.7% | ||||||||||||||||||
Louisiana | 6 | 5.5% | - | - | 4 | 3.7% | ||||||||||||||||||
Mississippi | 12 | 8.7% | - | - | 4 | 2.8% | ||||||||||||||||||
New Jersey | 1 | 1.0% | 2 | 1.8% | 4 | 5.6% | ||||||||||||||||||
Virginia | 2 | 1.6% | 3 | 3.4% | 0 | 0.0% |
Incumbents defeated in primaries
In state legislative primaries, 16 incumbents lost to challengers, 3.5% of incumbents running for re-election. This was the biggest number and percentage of incumbents defeated in state legislative primaries since Ballotpedia began gathering data in 2011.
In 2015 primaries:
In 2015
Click [show] on the table below to view primary incumbent defeat statistics by state in 2015. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
State legislative incumbents defeated in primaries, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic | Republican | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Filed | Def. | % | Filed | Def. | % | Filed | Def. | % | ||||||||||||||||
Nationwide | 190 | 7 | 3.7% | 268 | 9 | 3.4% | 460 | 16 | 3.5% | |||||||||||||||
Louisiana | 39 | 2 | 5.1% | 69 | 1 | 1.4% | 110 | 3 | 2.7% | |||||||||||||||
Mississippi | 63 | 4 | 6.3% | 89 | 6 | 6.7% | 152 | 10 | 6.6% | |||||||||||||||
New Jersey | 43 | 0 | 0.0% | 30 | 0 | 0.0% | 73 | 0 | 0.0% | |||||||||||||||
Virginia | 45 | 1 | 2.2% | 80 | 2 | 2.5% | 125 | 3 | 2.4% |
Historical comparison
The chart below shows a partisan breakdown of incumbents defeated in primaries from 2011 to 2015.
Click [show] on the table below to view primary incumbent defeat statistics by state from 2011 to 2015. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
State legislative incumbents defeated in primaries, 2011-2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2013 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Def. | % | Def. | % | Def. | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Nationwide | 9 | 1.9% | 2 | 1.0% | 16 | 3.5% | ||||||||||||||||||
Louisiana | 1 | 0.9% | - | - | 3 | 2.7% | ||||||||||||||||||
Mississippi | 8 | 5.4% | - | - | 10 | 6.6% | ||||||||||||||||||
New Jersey | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0.0% | ||||||||||||||||||
Virginia | 0 | 0.0% | 2 | 2.2% | 3 | 2.4% |
By state
Overview
General elections
Primaries
Louisiana
General election defeats
There were 144 seats up for election in Louisiana. Overall, 107 incumbents advanced to the general election, including 37 Democrats, 68 Republicans, and two independents. Of that total, four Republican incumbents lost, representing 3.7% of incumbents who advanced to the general election.
Statistics from 2015 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in general elections in Louisiana, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamber | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | ||||||||||||||||
House | 29 | 0 | 0.0% | 48 | 4 | 8.3% | 79 | 4 | 5.1% | |||||||||||||||
Senate | 8 | 0 | 0.0% | 20 | 0 | 0.0% | 28 | 0 | 0.0% | |||||||||||||||
Total | 37 | 0 | 0.0% | 68 | 4 | 5.9% | 107 | 4 | 3.7% |
Historical general election defeat statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in general elections in Louisiana, 2011-2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | ||||||||||||||||
2011 | 45 | 2 | 4.4% | 63 | 4 | 6.3% | 109 | 6 | 5.5% | |||||||||||||||
2013 | Did not hold elections. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 37 | 0 | 0.0% | 68 | 4 | 5.9% | 107 | 4 | 3.7% |
Primary defeats
There were 144 seats up for election in Louisiana. Overall, 110 incumbents filed for re-election, including 39 Democrats and 69 Republicans. Of that total, three incumbents lost in primaries—two Democrats and one Republican—representing 2.7% of incumbents who filed for re-election.
Statistics from 2015 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in primaries in Louisiana, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamber | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | |||||||||||||
House | 31 | 11 | 2 | 6.5% | 49 | 18 | 1 | 2.0% | 82 | 30 | 3 | 3.7% | ||||||||||||
Senate | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 20 | 7 | 0 | 0.0% | 28 | 8 | 0 | 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Total | 39 | 12 | 2 | 5.1% | 69 | 25 | 1 | 1.4% | 110 | 38 | 3 | 2.7% |
Historical primary defeat statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in primaries in Louisiana, 2011-2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | |||||||||||||
2011 | 46 | 27 | 1 | 2.2% | 63 | 22 | 0 | 0.0% | 110 | 50 | 1 | 0.9% | ||||||||||||
2013 | Did not hold elections. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 39 | 12 | 2 | 5.1% | 69 | 25 | 1 | 1.4% | 110 | 38 | 3 | 2.7% |
Mississippi
General election defeats
There were 174 seats up for election in Mississippi. Overall, 142 incumbents advanced to the general election, including 59 Democrats and 83 Republicans. Of that total, four incumbents lost—two Democrats and two Republicans—representing 2.8% of incumbents who advanced to the general election.
Statistics from 2015 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in general elections in Mississippi, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamber | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | ||||||||||||||||
House | 43 | 2 | 4.7% | 56 | 1 | 1.8% | 99 | 3 | 3.0% | |||||||||||||||
Senate | 16 | 0 | 0.0% | 27 | 1 | 3.7% | 43 | 1 | 2.3% | |||||||||||||||
Total | 59 | 2 | 3.4% | 83 | 2 | 2.4% | 142 | 4 | 2.8% |
Historical general election defeat statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in general elections in Mississippi, 2011-2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | ||||||||||||||||
2011 | 76 | 8 | 10.5% | 62 | 4 | 6.5% | 138 | 12 | 8.7% | |||||||||||||||
2013 | Did not hold elections. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 59 | 2 | 3.4% | 83 | 2 | 2.4% | 142 | 4 | 2.8% |
Primary defeats
There were 174 seats up for election in Mississippi. Overall, 152 incumbents filed for re-election, including 63 Democrats and 89 Republicans. Of that total, 10 incumbents lost in primaries—four Democrats and six Republicans—representing 6.6% of incumbents who filed for re-election.
Statistics from 2015 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in primaries in Mississippi, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamber | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | |||||||||||||
House | 45 | 17 | 2 | 4.4% | 60 | 16 | 4 | 6.7% | 105 | 33 | 6 | 5.7% | ||||||||||||
Senate | 18 | 9 | 2 | 11.1% | 29 | 10 | 2 | 6.9% | 47 | 19 | 4 | 8.5% | ||||||||||||
Total | 63 | 26 | 4 | 6.3% | 89 | 26 | 6 | 6.7% | 152 | 52 | 10 | 6.6% |
Historical primary defeat statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in primaries in Mississippi, 2011-2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | |||||||||||||
2011 | 78 | 18 | 2 | 2.6% | 68 | 16 | 6 | 8.8% | 147 | 34 | 8 | 5.4% | ||||||||||||
2013 | Did not hold elections. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 63 | 26 | 4 | 6.3% | 89 | 26 | 6 | 6.7% | 152 | 52 | 10 | 6.6% |
New Jersey
General election defeats
There were 80 seats up for election in New Jersey. Overall, 72 incumbents advanced to the general election, including 42 Democrats and 30 Republicans. Of that total, four Republican incumbents lost, representing 5.6% of incumbents who advanced to the general election.
Statistics from 2015 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in general elections in New Jersey, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamber | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | ||||||||||||||||
House | 42 | 0 | 0.0% | 30 | 4 | 13.3% | 72 | 4 | 5.6% | |||||||||||||||
Senate | Did not hold elections. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 42 | 0 | 0.0% | 30 | 4 | 13.3% | 72 | 4 | 5.6% |
Historical general election defeat statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in general elections in New Jersey, 2011-2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | ||||||||||||||||
2011 | 64 | 0 | 0.0% | 41 | 1 | 2.4% | 105 | 1 | 1.0% | |||||||||||||||
2013 | 67 | 1 | 1.5% | 46 | 1 | 2.2% | 113 | 2 | 1.8% | |||||||||||||||
2015 | 42 | 0 | 0.0% | 30 | 4 | 13.3% | 72 | 4 | 5.6% |
Primary defeats
There were 80 seats up for election in New Jersey. Overall, 73 incumbents filed for re-election, including 43 Democrats and 30 Republicans. No incumbents who filed for re-election lost in primaries.
Statistics from 2015 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in primaries in New Jersey, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamber | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | |||||||||||||
House | 43 | 4 | 0 | 0.0% | 30 | 3 | 0 | 0.0% | 73 | 7 | 0 | 0.0% | ||||||||||||
Senate | Did not hold elections. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 43 | 4 | 0 | 0.0% | 30 | 3 | 0 | 0.0% | 73 | 7 | 0 | 0.0% |
Historical primary defeat statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in primaries in New Jersey, 2011-2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | |||||||||||||
2011 | 63 | 12 | 0 | 0.0% | 43 | 6 | 0 | 0.0% | 106 | 18 | 0 | 0.0% | ||||||||||||
2013 | 68 | 12 | 0 | 0.0% | 46 | 5 | 0 | 0.0% | 114 | 17 | 0 | 0.0% | ||||||||||||
2015 | 43 | 4 | 0 | 0.0% | 30 | 3 | 0 | 0.0% | 73 | 7 | 0 | 0.0% |
Virginia
General election defeats
There were 140 seats up for election in Virginia. Overall, 122 incumbents advanced to the general election, including 44 Democrats and 78 Republicans. No incumbents who advanced to the general election lost.
Statistics from 2015 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in general elections in Virginia, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamber | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | ||||||||||||||||
House | 27 | 0 | 0.0% | 62 | 0 | 0.0% | 89 | 0 | 0.0% | |||||||||||||||
Senate | 17 | 0 | 0.0% | 16 | 0 | 0.0% | 33 | 0 | 0.0% | |||||||||||||||
Total | 44 | 0 | 0.0% | 78 | 0 | 0.0% | 122 | 0 | 0.0% |
Historical general election defeat statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in general elections in Virginia, 2011-2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | Running | Def. | % | ||||||||||||||||
2011 | 54 | 2 | 3.7% | 68 | 0 | 0.0% | 123 | 2 | 1.6% | |||||||||||||||
2013 | 30 | 0 | 0.0% | 58 | 3 | 5.2% | 88 | 3 | 3.4% | |||||||||||||||
2015 | 44 | 0 | 0.0% | 78 | 0 | 0.0% | 122 | 0 | 0.0% |
Primary defeats
There were 140 seats up for election in Virginia. Overall, 125 incumbents filed for re-election, including 45 Democrats and 80 Republicans. Of that total, three incumbents lost in primaries—one Democrat and two Republicans—representing 2.4% of incumbents who filed for re-election.
Statistics from 2015 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in primaries in Virginia, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamber | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | |||||||||||||
House | 28 | 3 | 1 | 3.6% | 63 | 3 | 1 | 1.6% | 91 | 6 | 2 | 2.2% | ||||||||||||
Senate | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 17 | 3 | 1 | 5.9% | 34 | 4 | 1 | 2.9% | ||||||||||||
Total | 45 | 4 | 1 | 2.2% | 80 | 6 | 2 | 2.5% | 125 | 10 | 3 | 2.4% |
Historical primary defeat statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.
Incumbents defeated in primaries in Virginia, 2011-2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbents | Republican incumbents | Total incumbents | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | Filed | Cont. | Def. | % | |||||||||||||
2011 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 68 | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 122 | 2 | 0 | 0.0% | ||||||||||||
2013 | 30 | 2 | 0 | 0.0% | 61 | 5 | 2 | 3.3% | 91 | 7 | 2 | 2.2% | ||||||||||||
2015 | 45 | 4 | 1 | 2.2% | 80 | 6 | 2 | 2.5% | 125 | 10 | 3 | 2.4% |
See also
- State legislative elections, 2015
- Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2015
- Open seats in state legislative elections, 2015
- Contested state legislative primaries, 2015
- State legislative incumbents in contested primaries, 2015
- Major party competition in state legislative elections, 2015
- State legislative incumbents without general election challengers, 2015
Footnotes
- ↑ Incumbents may also be defeated in other nominating contests such as conventions. Ballotpedia counts an incumbent defeat in a convention as a defeat in a primary.
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