The DLCC’s Long-Term Plan: For the Third Election in a Row, Democratic Legislators See Net Gains on Election Night

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /U.S. Newswire/ — It appears that for the third election in a row, Democrats picked up state legislative seats. After a banner year in 2004 when Democrats gained 46 net seats in state legislatures across the country — moving 10 legislatures to Democratic control — state legislative Democrats made gains in both Virginia and New Jersey yesterday. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) has been instrumental in this long-term effort, which has reaped rewards in each of the last three elections.

Democrats gained at least one state legislative seat in Virginia (District 52 has gone to a recount) and one seat in New Jersey, although votes are still being counted there as well.

“What we saw last night was a clear repudiation of Bush and the national Republican Agenda. Voters have once again chosen those who represent their local and personal values — Democratic state legislators,” said Michael Davies, DLCC’s executive director.

Democratic control of state legislatures is crucial to the future of the Democratic Party as 20 of the 36 states in which state legislatures control redistricting are within four seats of switching party control. “Democratic gains in the state legislatures are of vital importance to the future of the balance of power in the U.S. Congress through redistricting,” said Davies.

State legislators are the national barometers of the future — 57 percent of Members of Congress and 44 percent of Governors once served in state houses. “If Democrats are going to gain control nationally, we must realize what an asset our state legislators are,” added Davies. “Republicans are waging a quieter revolution at the local level by grooming candidates and building local political infrastructure. The DLCC has been working with state legislative Democrats to meet this challenge, and it is clear from last night’s results that we have been effective in beating the Republicans’ efforts.”

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