Incumbents defeated in state legislative elections, 2025

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There were 180 state legislative seats up for regular election on November 4, 2025, in two 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 2025, 18 incumbents lost their re-election bids: 15 in general elections and three in primaries. That was the most general election defeats in an odd year since 2011 and the fewest in the primaries since 2017.

On this page, you will find:

Incumbents defeated in general elections

In state legislative general elections, 15 incumbents lost to challengers, 8.9% of incumbents running for re-election and 10.1% of the contested incumbents. With six races uncalled, that was higher by percentage than any odd election year since 2011. The average percentage of incumbents defeated in general elections between 2011 and 2023 was 4.3%.

In 2025 general elections:

  • No Democratic incumbents lost, 0% of the 96 Democratic incumbents who ran and 0% of the 77 Democratic incumbents who were contested.
  • Fifteen Republican incumbents lost, 20.8% of the 72 Republican incumbents who ran. All 72 Republican incumbents were contested.
  • The total number of incumbents defeated in general elections—15—was the most of any year since 21 incumbents lost in 2011, and represented a 15% increase from 2023.

    • In 2025


    Click [show] on the table below to view general election incumbent defeat statistics by state in 2025. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Historical comparison

    The chart below shows a partisan breakdown of incumbents defeated in general elections from 2011 to 2025.


    Click [show] on the table below to view general election incumbent defeat statistics by state from 2011 to 2025. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    List of defeated incumbents

    Click [show] on the header below to see a full list of incumbents defeated in general elections by state. Winners marked with (i) were incumbents from the same chamber.

    Incumbents defeated in primaries

    In state legislative primaries, three incumbents lost to challengers, 1.7% of incumbents running for re-election and 7.9% of incumbents in contested primaries. This was fewer than eight in 2021 and more than the low of zero in 2017 since 2011.


    In 2025 primaries:

  • Three Democratic incumbent lost, 3.0% of the 99 Democratic incumbents who ran, and 9.1% of the 33 contested incumbents.
  • No Republican incumbents lost of the 73 Republican incumbents who ran and five who were contested.
  • The total number of incumbents defeated in primaries—three—was the third fewest since 2011, behind zero in 2017 and two in 2013.

    • In 2025


    Click [show] on the table below to view primary incumbent defeat statistics by state in 2025. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Historical comparison

    The chart below shows a partisan breakdown of incumbents defeated in primaries from 2011 to 2025.


    Click [show] on the table below to view primary incumbent defeat statistics by state from 2011 to 2025. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    List of defeated incumbents

    Click [show] on the header below to see a full list of incumbents defeated in primaries by state. Winners marked with (i) were incumbents from the same chamber.

    Incumbent Party Chamber Year incumbent took office Winning candidate
    New Jersey
    Garnet Hall Electiondot.png Democratic New Jersey General Assembly 2024 Democratic Party Cleopatra Tucker (i)
    Democratic Party Chigozie Onyema
    Barbara McCann Stamato Electiondot.png Democratic New Jersey General Assembly 2024 Democratic Party William Sampson (i)
    Democratic Party Jerry Walker
    Jessica Ramirez Electiondot.png Democratic New Jersey General Assembly 2024 Democratic Party Ravinder Bhalla
    Democratic Party Katie Brennan

    By state

    Overview

    General elections

    Primaries

    New Jersey

    General election defeats

    There were 80 seats up for election in New Jersey. Overall, 73 incumbents advanced to the general election, including 45 Democrats and 28 Republicans. Of that total, three incumbents lost—all Republicans—representing 4.1% of incumbents who advanced to the general election.

    Statistics from 2025 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Incumbents defeated in general elections in New Jersey, 2025
    Chamber
    Democratic incumbents Republican incumbents Total incumbents
    Running Def. % Running Def. % Running Def. %
    House 45 0 0.0% 28 3 10.7% 73 3 4.1%
    Senate Did not hold elections.
    Total 45 0 0.0% 28 3 10.7% 73 3 4.1%

    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, 2011-2025
    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%
    2017 72 1 1.4% 36 1 2.8% 108 2 1.9%
    2019 53 2 3.8% 22 0 0.0% 75 2 2.7%
    2021 70 7 10.0% 35 0 0.0% 105 7 6.7%
    2023 50 0 0.0% 39 6 15.4% 89 6 6.7%
    2025 45 0 0.0% 28 3 10.7% 73 3 4.1%

    Primary defeats

    There were 80 seats up for election in New Jersey. Overall, 76 incumbents filed for re-election, including 48 Democrats and 28 Republicans. Of that total, three incumbents lost in primaries—three Democrats and no Republicans—representing 3.9% of incumbents who filed for re-election.

    Statistics from 2025 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Incumbents defeated in primaries in New Jersey, 2025
    Chamber
    Democratic incumbents Republican incumbents Total incumbents
    Filed Cont. Def. % Filed Cont. Def. % Filed Cont. Def. %
    House 48 31 3 6.3% 28 4 0 0.0% 76 35 3 3.9%
    Senate Did not hold elections.
    Total 48 31 3 6.3% 28 4 0 0.0% 76 35 3 3.9%

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

    Incumbents defeated in primaries in New Jersey, 2011-2025
    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%
    2017 71 18 0 0.0% 36 8 0 0.0% 107 26 0 0.0%
    2019 53 22 0 0.0% 23 3 1 4.3% 76 25 1 1.3%
    2021 71 9 1 1.4% 37 14 2 5.4% 108 23 3 2.8%
    2023 54 10 1 1.9% 39 7 0 0.0% 93 17 1 1.1%
    2025 48 31 3 6.3% 28 4 0 0.0% 76 35 3 3.9%

    Virginia

    General election defeats

    There were 100 seats up for election in Virginia. Overall, 95 incumbents advanced to the general election, including 51 Democrats and 44 Republicans. Of that total, 12 incumbents lost—all Republicans—representing 12.6% of incumbents who advanced to the general election.

    Statistics from 2025 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Incumbents defeated in general elections in Virginia, 2025
    Chamber
    Democratic incumbents Republican incumbents Total incumbents
    Running Def. % Running Def. % Running Def. %
    House 51 0 0.0% 44 12 27.3% 95 12 12.6%
    Senate Did not hold elections.
    Total 51 0 0.0% 44 12 27.3% 95 12 12.6%

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

    Incumbents defeated in general elections in Virginia, 2011-2025
    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%
    2017 33 0 0.0% 60 12 20.0% 93 12 12.9%
    2019 62 0 0.0% 60 5 8.3% 122 5 4.1%
    2021 50 7 14.0% 40 0 0.0% 90 7 7.8%
    2023 44 1 2.3% 48 2 4.2% 93 4 4.3%
    2025 51 0 0.0% 44 12 27.3% 95 12 12.6%

    Primary defeats

    There were 100 seats up for election in Virginia. Overall, 96 incumbents filed for re-election, including 51 Democrats and 45 Republicans. No incumbents who filed for re-election lost in primaries.

    Statistics from 2025 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Incumbents defeated in primaries in Virginia, 2025
    Chamber
    Democratic incumbents Republican incumbents Total incumbents
    Filed Cont. Def. % Filed Cont. Def. % Filed Cont. Def. %
    House 51 2 0 0.0% 45 1 0 0.0% 96 3 0 0.0%
    Senate Did not hold elections.
    Total 51 2 0 0.0% 45 1 0 0.0% 96 3 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 Virginia, 2011-2025
    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%
    2017 33 3 0 0.0% 60 3 0 0.0% 93 6 0 0.0%
    2019 63 9 1 1.6% 61 5 2 3.3% 124 14 3 2.4%
    2021 54 14 4 7.4% 41 3 1 2.4% 95 17 5 5.3%
    2023 48 12 4 8.3% 49 5 2 4.1% 98 17 6 6.1%
    2025 51 2 0 0.0% 45 1 0 0.0% 96 3 0 0.0%

    See also

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 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. Ballotpedia also counts incumbent defeats in primary and general election runoffs.
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