2012 United States state legislative elections explained

Election Name:2012 United States state legislative elections
Country:United States
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2011 United States state legislative elections
Previous Year:2011
Next Election:2013 United States state legislative elections
Next Year:2013
Seats For Election:86 legislative chambers
44 states
Election Date:November 6, 2012
Party1:Republican Party (US)
1Data1:61
2Data1:58
3Data1: 3
Party2:Democratic Party (US)
1Data2:36
2Data2:39
3Data2: 3
Party3:Coalition
1Data3:1
2Data3:2
3Data3: 1
1Blank:Chambers before
2Blank:Chambers after
3Blank:Overall change
Map Size:320px
Map2 Image:US2012statelowerhouses.svg
Map2 Size:320px
Map2 Caption:Map of lower house elections:



Colour3:d9b2d9

The 2012 United States state legislative elections were held on November 6, 2012, for 86 state legislative chambers in 44 states. Across the fifty states, approximately 65 percent of all upper house seats and 85 percent of all lower house seats were up for election. Nine legislative chambers in the five permanently-inhabited U.S. territories and the federal district of Washington, D.C. also held elections. The elections took place concurrently with several other federal, state, and local elections, including the presidential election, U.S. Senate elections, U.S. House elections, and gubernatorial elections.

13 chambers shifted party control, as Republicans had gained many chambers in the 2010 mid-term elections, and this was seen as a modest rebalancing.[1]

Democrats won the Colorado House of Representatives, Maine Senate, Maine House of Representatives, Minnesota Senate, Minnesota House of Representatives, New Hampshire House of Representatives, and Oregon House of Representatives that was previously tied. Meanwhile, Republicans won the Wisconsin Senate which was briefly under Democratic control after multiple recall elections earlier in the year, and both chambers of the Arkansas legislature for the first time since 1874. The Alaska Senate went from a Democratic-led coalition to Republican control. The Washington Senate went from Democratic control to a Republican-led coalition, and the New York State Senate went from Republican control to a Republican-led coalition.

Summary table

Regularly-scheduled elections were held in 86 of the 99 state legislative chambers in the United States. Nationwide, regularly-scheduled elections were held for 6,015 of the 7,383 legislative seats. Many legislative chambers held elections for all seats, but some legislative chambers that use staggered elections held elections for only a portion of the total seats in the chamber. The chambers not up for election either hold regularly-scheduled elections in odd-numbered years, or have four-year terms and hold all regularly-scheduled elections in presidential midterm election years.

Note that this table only covers regularly-scheduled elections; additional special elections took place concurrently with these regularly-scheduled elections.

StateUpper House[2] Lower House
Seats upTotal% upTermSeats upTotal% upTerm
Alaska192095440401002
Arizona3030100260601002
Arkansas35351002/41001001002
California204050480801002
Colorado183551465651002
Connecticut363610021511511002
Delaware21211002/441411002
Florida40401002/41201201002
Georgia565610021801801002
Hawaii25251002/451511002
Idaho3535100270701002
Illinois59591002/41181181002
Indiana25505041001001002
Iowa25505041001001002
Kansas404010041251251002
Kentucky19385041001001002
Louisiana03904010504
Maine353510021511511002
Maryland04704014104
Massachusetts404010021601601002
Michigan038041101101002
Minnesota67671002/41341341002
Mississippi05204012204
Missouri17345041631631002
Montana25505041001001002
Nebraska2549514N/A (unicameral)
Nevada102148442421002
New Hampshire242410024004001002
New Jersey04002/408002
New Mexico4242100470701002
New York636310021501501002
North Carolina505010021201201002
North Dakota23474944794504
Ohio163348499991002
Oklahoma24485041011011002
Oregon153050460601002
Pennsylvania25505042032031002
Rhode Island3838100275751002
South Carolina464610041241241002
South Dakota3535100270701002
Tennessee163348499991002
Texas1631522/41501501002
Utah152952475751002
Vermont303010021501501002
Virginia04004010002
Washington254951498981002
West Virginia17345041001001002
Wisconsin163348499991002
Wyoming153050460601002
Total1281197265N/A4595541185N/A

Electoral predictions

Analysts considered both the Democratic and Republican parties to be at approximately equal risk of losing state legislative chambers to the other, owing to the expectation that this would be the first election that was not a wave election since 2004. Although Republicans were expected to win states like Arkansas, which had been trending towards them in recent years, Democrats had the potential to roll back some of the gains Republicans had made in 2010 in more competitive states such as Colorado. Despite the potential for Democratic gains, they were still expected to remain far behind the Republicans in overall chamber control due to the major losses the party suffered in 2010 and 2011.[3]

Ratings are designated as follows:

StateChamberLastelectionGoverningResult
AlaskaSenate data-sort-value="-75.0" Coal. 15–5 data-sort-value="65.0" R 13–7
House of Representatives data-sort-value="60.0" R 24–16 data-sort-value="65.0" R 26–14
ArizonaSenate data-sort-value="70.0" R 21–9 data-sort-value="56.7" R 17–13
House of Representatives data-sort-value="66.7" R 40–20 data-sort-value="60.3" R 36–24
ArkansasSenate data-sort-value="-57.1" D 20–15 data-sort-value="60.0" R 21–14
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-54.0" D 54–46 data-sort-value="51.0" R 51–48–1
CaliforniaState Senate data-sort-value="-62.5" D 25–15 data-sort-value="-72.5" D 29–11
State Assembly data-sort-value="-65.0" D 52–28 data-sort-value="-70.0" D 56–24
ColoradoSenate data-sort-value="-57.1" D 20–15 data-sort-value="-57.1" D 20–15
House of Representatives data-sort-value="50.8" R 33–32 data-sort-value="-56.9" D 37–28
ConnecticutState Senate data-sort-value="-63.9" D 23–13 data-sort-value="-61.1" D 22–14
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-64.9" D 99–52 data-sort-value="-64.9" D 98–53
DelawareSenate data-sort-value="-66.7" D 14–7 data-sort-value="-61.9" D 13–8
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-63.4" D 26–15 data-sort-value="-65.9" D 27–14
FloridaSenate data-sort-value="70.0" R 28–12 data-sort-value="65.0" R 26–14
House of Representatives data-sort-value="67.5" R 81–39 data-sort-value="63.3" R 76–44
GeorgiaState Senate data-sort-value="62.5" R 35–21 data-sort-value="67.9" R 38–18
House of Representatives data-sort-value="60.0" R 108–71–1 data-sort-value="65.6" R 119–60–1
HawaiiSenate data-sort-value="-96.0" D 24–1 data-sort-value="-96.0" D 24–1
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-84.3" D 43–8 data-sort-value="-86.3" D 44–7
IdahoSenate data-sort-value="80.0" R 28–7 data-sort-value="82.9" R 29–6
House of Representatives data-sort-value="81.4" R 57–13 data-sort-value="81.4" R 57–13
IllinoisSenate data-sort-value="-57.6" D 34–25 data-sort-value="-67.8" D 40–19
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-54.2" D 64–54 data-sort-value="-60.2" D 71–47
IndianaSenate data-sort-value="72.0" R 36–14 data-sort-value="74.0" R 37–13
House of Representatives data-sort-value="60.0" R 60–40 data-sort-value="69.0" R 69–31
IowaSenate data-sort-value="-52.0" D 26–24 data-sort-value="-52.0" D 26–24
House of Representatives data-sort-value="60.0" R 60–40 data-sort-value="53.0" R 53–47
KansasSenate data-sort-value="73.6" R 31–9 data-sort-value="80.0" R 32–8
House of Representatives data-sort-value="73.6" R 92–33 data-sort-value="73.6" R 92–33
KentuckySenate data-sort-value="57.9" R 22–15–1 data-sort-value="60.5" R 23–14–1
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-58.0" D 58–42 data-sort-value="-55.0" D 55–45
MaineSenate data-sort-value="57.1" R 20–14–1 data-sort-value="-54.3" D 19–15–1
House of Representatives data-sort-value="51.7" R 78–72–1 data-sort-value="-58.9" D 89–58–4
MassachusettsSenate data-sort-value="-90.0" D 36–4 data-sort-value="-90.0" D 36–4
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-81.3" D 130–30 data-sort-value="-81.9" D 131–29
MichiganHouse of Representatives data-sort-value="57.3" R 63–47 data-sort-value="53.6" R 59–51
MinnesotaSenate data-sort-value="55.2" R 37–30 data-sort-value="-58.2" D 39–28
House of Representatives data-sort-value="53.7" R 72–62 data-sort-value="-54.5" D 73–61
MissouriSenate data-sort-value="76.5" R 26–8 data-sort-value="70.6" R 24–10
House of Representatives data-sort-value="64.4" R 105–58 data-sort-value="67.8" R 110–53
MontanaSenate data-sort-value="56.0" R 28–22 data-sort-value="54.0" R 27–23
House of Representatives data-sort-value="68.0" R 68–32 data-sort-value="61.0" R 61–39
NevadaSenate data-sort-value="-52.4" D 11–10 data-sort-value="-52.4" D 11–10
Assembly data-sort-value="-61.9" D 26–16 data-sort-value="-64.3" D 27–15
New HampshireSenate data-sort-value="79.2" R 19–5 data-sort-value="54.2" R 13–11
House of Representatives data-sort-value="74.5" R 298–102 data-sort-value="-55.3" D 221–179
New MexicoSenate data-sort-value="-64.3" D 27–15 data-sort-value="-59.5" D 25–17
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-51.5" D 36–34 data-sort-value="-54.3" D 38–32
New YorkState Senate data-sort-value="51.6" R 32–30 data-sort-value="57.1" Coal. 36–27
State Assembly data-sort-value="-66.0" D 99–50–1 data-sort-value="-70.7" D 105–44–1
North CarolinaSenate data-sort-value="62.0" R 31–19 data-sort-value="64.0" R 32–18
House of Representatives data-sort-value="55.8" R 67–52–1 data-sort-value="64.2" R 77–43
North DakotaSenate data-sort-value="74.5" R 35–12 data-sort-value="70.2" R 33–14
House of Representatives data-sort-value="73.4" R 69–25 data-sort-value="75.5" R 71–23
OhioSenate data-sort-value="69.7" R 23–10 data-sort-value="69.7" R 23–10
House of Representatives data-sort-value="59.6" R 59–40 data-sort-value="60.6" R 60–39
OklahomaSenate data-sort-value="66.7" R 32–16 data-sort-value="75.0" R 36–12
House of Representatives data-sort-value="69.3" R 70–31 data-sort-value="71.3" R 72–29
OregonState Senate data-sort-value="-53.3" D 16–14 data-sort-value="-53.3" D 16–14
House of Representatives data-sort-value="0" 30–30 data-sort-value="-56.7" D 34–26
PennsylvaniaState Senate data-sort-value="60.0" R 30–20 data-sort-value="54.0" R 27–23
House of Representatives data-sort-value="55.2" R 112–91 data-sort-value="54.7" R 111–92
Rhode IslandSenate data-sort-value="-76.3" D 29–8–1 data-sort-value="-84.2" D 32–5–1
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-86.7" D 65–10 data-sort-value="-92.0" D 69–6
South CarolinaSenate data-sort-value="58.7" R 27–19 data-sort-value="60.9" R 28–18
House of Representatives data-sort-value="61.2" R 76–48 data-sort-value="62.9" R 78–46
South DakotaSenate data-sort-value="85.8" R 30–5 data-sort-value="80.0" R 28–7
House of Representatives data-sort-value="71.4" R 50–19–1 data-sort-value="75.7" R 53–17
TennesseeSenate data-sort-value="60.6" R 20–13 data-sort-value="78.8" R 26–7
House of Representatives data-sort-value="64.6" R 64–34–1 data-sort-value="71.7" R 71–27–1
TexasSenate data-sort-value="61.3" R 19–12 data-sort-value="61.3" R 19–12
House of Representatives data-sort-value="66.0" R 99–51 data-sort-value="63.3" R 95–55
UtahState Senate data-sort-value="75.9" R 22–7 data-sort-value="82.8" R 24–5
House of Representatives data-sort-value="77.3" R 58–17 data-sort-value="81.3" R 61–14
VermontSenate data-sort-value="-70.0" D 21–8–1 data-sort-value="-70.0" D 21–7–2
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-62.7" D 94–48–5–3 data-sort-value="-64.0" D 96–45–5–4
WashingtonState Senate data-sort-value="-55.1" D 27–22 data-sort-value="53.1" Coal. 26–23
House of Representatives data-sort-value="-57.1" D 56–42 data-sort-value="-56.1" D 55–43
West VirginiaSenate data-sort-value="-82.4" D 28–6 data-sort-value="-73.5" D 25–9
House of Delegates data-sort-value="-65.0" D 65–35 data-sort-value="-54.0" D 54–46
WisconsinSenate data-sort-value="-51.5" D 17–16 data-sort-value="54.5" R 18–15
State Assembly data-sort-value="60.6" R 60–38–1 data-sort-value="60.6" R 60–39
WyomingSenate data-sort-value="86.7" R 26–4 data-sort-value="86.7" R 26–4
House of Representatives data-sort-value="83.3" R 50–10 data-sort-value="86.7" R 52–8

State summaries

Alaska

Most of the seats of the Alaska Senate and all of the seats of the Alaska House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans won control of the Senate from a Democratic-led coalition, while maintaining control of the Alaska House of Representatives.

+colspan=5 Alaska Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican513 3
5
Democratic102 3
5
Total2020
+colspan=5 Alaska House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2426 2
Democratic44 2
1210
Total4040

Arizona

See main article: 2012 Arizona Senate election. All of the seats of the Arizona Senate and the Arizona House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans maintained a government trifecta with control of the governorship and both state legislative chambers.

+colspan=5 Arizona Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2117 4
Democratic913 4
Total3030
+colspan=5 Arizona House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican4036 4
Democratic2024 4
Total6060

Arkansas

All of the seats of the Arkansas Senate and all of the seats of the Arkansas House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans won control of both chambers for the first time since Reconstruction, thereby ending a government trifecta. The Green Party won one seat in the House because a judge had ordered all votes for the candidate's opponent not be counted, due to a felony conviction for election fraud.[4]

+colspan=5 Arkansas Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican1521 6
Democratic2014 6
Total3535
+colspan=5 Arkansas House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican4651 5
Democratic5448 6
Green01 1
Total100100

California

See main article: 2012 California State Senate election and 2012 California State Assembly election. Half of the seats of the California State Senate and all of the seats of the California State Assembly were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 California State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2529 4
Republican1511 4
Total4040
+colspan=5 California State Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic5255 3
Republican2825 3
Total8080

Colorado

Half of the seats of the Colorado Senate and all of the seats of the Colorado House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of the state Senate and won control of the state House, establishing a trifecta.

+colspan=5 Colorado Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2020
Republican1515
Total3535
+colspan=5 Colorado House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic3237 5
Republican3328 5
Total6565

Connecticut

See main article: 2012 Connecticut State Senate election. All of the seats of the Connecticut State Senate and the Connecticut House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of both houses.

+colspan=5 Connecticut State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2222
Republican1414
Total3636
+colspan=5 Connecticut House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic9998 1
Republican5253 1
Total151151

Delaware

See main article: article, 2012 Delaware Senate election and 2012 Delaware House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the Delaware Senate and all of the seats of the Delaware House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Delaware Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic1413 1
Republican78 1
Total2121
+colspan=5 Delaware House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2627 1
Republican1514 1
Total4141

Florida

See main article: 2012 Florida House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the Florida Senate and all of the seats of the Florida House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Florida Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2826 2
Democratic1214 2
Total4040
+colspan=5 Florida House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican8176 5
Democratic3944 5
Total120120

Georgia

All of the seats of the Georgia State Senate and the Georgia House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Georgia State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3638 2
Democratic2018 2
Total5656
+colspan=5 Georgia House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican116119 3
Democratic6360 3
Independent 11
Total180180

Hawaii

See main article: 2012 Hawaii Senate election and 2012 Hawaii House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the Hawaii Senate and all of the seats of the Hawaii House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Hawaii Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2424
Republican11
Total2525
+colspan=5 Hawaii House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic4344 1
Republican87 1
Total5151

Idaho

All of the seats of the Idaho Senate and the Idaho House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Idaho Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2829 1
Democratic76 1
Total3535
+colspan=5 Idaho House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican5757
Democratic1313
Total7070

Illinois

See main article: 2012 Illinois Senate election and 2012 Illinois House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the Illinois Senate and all of the seats of the Illinois House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of both chambers to maintain a trifecta.

+colspan=5 Illinois Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic3540 5
Republican2419 5
Total5959
+colspan=5 Illinois House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic6471 7
Republican5447 7
Total118118

Indiana

Half of the seats of the Indiana Senate and all of the seats of the Indiana House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Indiana Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3737
Democratic1313
Total5050
+colspan=5 Indiana House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican6069 9
Democratic4031 9
Total100100

Iowa

See main article: 2012 Iowa Senate election. Half of the seats of the Iowa Senate and all of the seats of the Iowa House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of the state House, and Democrats held control of the state Senate.

+colspan=5 Iowa Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2626
Republican2424
Total5050
+colspan=5 Iowa House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican6053 7
Democratic4047 7
Total100100

Kansas

All of the seats of the Kansas Senate and the Kansas House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers and maintained a trifecta.

+colspan=5 Kansas Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3232
Democratic88
Total4040
+colspan=5 Kansas House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican9292
Democratic3333
Total125125

Kentucky

Half of the seats of the Kentucky Senate and all of the seats of the Kentucky House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of the state Senate, and Democrats held control of the state House.

+colspan=5 Kentucky Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2223 1
Democratic1514 1
Independent11
Total3838
+colspan=5 Kentucky House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic5955 4
Republican4145 4
Total100100

Maine

All of the seats of the Maine Senate and the Maine House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats won control of both houses, ending a Republican trifecta.

+colspan=5 Maine Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic1119 5
Republican2015 5
Independent11
Total3535
+colspan=5 Maine House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic7289 17
Republican7858 20
Independent14 3
Total151151

Massachusetts

All of the seats of the Massachusetts Senate and the Massachusetts House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats retained control of both chambers to maintain a trifecta.

+colspan=5 Massachusetts Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic3636
Republican44
Total4040
+colspan=5 Massachusetts House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic127131 4
Republican3329 4
Total160160

Michigan

See main article: 2012 Michigan House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the Michigan House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. The Michigan Senate did not hold regularly scheduled elections in 2012. Republicans maintained control of the chamber.

+colspan=5 Michigan House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican6359 4
Democratic4751 4
Total110110

Minnesota

See main article: 2012 Minnesota Senate election and 2012 Minnesota House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the Minnesota Senate and the Minnesota House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats won control of both chambers, thereby establishing a trifecta.

+colspan=5 Minnesota Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3039 9
Democratic (DFL)3728 9
Total6767
+colspan=5 Minnesota House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic (DFL)6273 11
Republican7261 11
Total134134

Missouri

Half of the seats of the Missouri Senate and all of the seats of the Missouri House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers.

+colspan=5 Missouri Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2624 2
Democratic810 2
Total3434
+colspan=5 Missouri House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican106110 4
Democratic5653 3
Independent10 1
Total163163

Montana

See main article: 2012 Montana House of Representatives election. Half of the seats of the Montana Senate and all of the seats of the Montana House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans held control of both chambers.

+colspan=5 Montana Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2727
Democratic2323
Total5050
+colspan=5 Montana House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican6861 7
Democratic3239 7
Total100100

Nebraska

See main article: article. Nebraska is the only U.S. state with a unicameral legislature; half of the seats of the Nebraska Legislature were up for election in 2012. Nebraska is also unique in that its legislature is officially non-partisan and holds non-partisan elections, although the Democratic and Republican parties each endorse legislative candidates.

Nevada

Half of the seats of the Nevada Senate and all of the seats of the Nevada Assembly were up for election in 2012. Democrats maintained control of both chambers.

+colspan=5 Nevada Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic1111
Republican1010
Total2121
+colspan=5 Nevada Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2627 1
Republican1615 1
Total4242

New Hampshire

All of the seats of the New Hampshire Senate and the New Hampshire House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans maintained control of the state Senate, and Democrats won control of the state House.

+colspan=5 New Hampshire Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican1913 6
Democratic511 6
Total2424
+colspan=5 New Hampshire House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic103221 118
Republican288179 109
Total400400

New Mexico

See main article: 2012 New Mexico House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the New Mexico Senate and the New Mexico House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of both chambers.

+colspan=5 New Mexico Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2825 3
Republican1417 3
Total4242
+colspan=5 New Mexico House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic3638 2
Republican3332 1
Independent10 1
Total7070

New York

See main article: 2012 New York State Senate election and 2012 New York State Assembly election. All of the seats of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly were up for election in 2012. Democrats held control of the state House, and Republicans lost control of the state Senate and thus entered into a coalition government with the Independent Democratic Conference.

+colspan=5 New York State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3330 3
Democratic46 2
2527 2
Total6263
+colspan=5 New York State Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic100105 5
Republican4944 5
Independence11
Total150150

North Carolina

See main article: 2012 North Carolina Senate election and 2012 North Carolina House of Representatives election. All of the seats of the North Carolina Senate and the North Carolina House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers.

+colspan=5 North Carolina Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3132 1
Democratic1918 1
Total5050
+colspan=5 North Carolina House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican6877 9
Democratic5243 9
Total120120

North Dakota

Half of the seats of the North Dakota Senate and the North Dakota House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 North Dakota Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3533 2
Democratic-NPL1214 2
Total4747
+colspan=5 North Dakota House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican6971 2
Democratic-NPL2523 2
Total9494

Ohio

Half of the seats of the Ohio Senate and all of the seats of the Ohio House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Ohio Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2323
Democratic1010
Total3333
+colspan=5 Ohio House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican5960 1
Democratic4039 1
Total9999

Oklahoma

Half of the seats of the Oklahoma Senate and all of the seats of the Oklahoma House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Oklahoma Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3236 4
Democratic1612 4
Total4848
+colspan=5 Oklahoma House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican7072 2
Democratic3129 2
Total101101

Oregon

Half of the seats of the Oregon State Senate and all of the seats of the Oregon House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats retained control of the state Senate, and ended the tie in the state House, thus establishing a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Oregon State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic1616
Republican1414
Total3030
+colspan=5 Oregon House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic3034 4
Republican3026 4
Total6060

Pennsylvania

See main article: 2012 Pennsylvania Senate election and 2012 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election. Half of the seats of the Pennsylvania State Senate and all of the seats of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers and their government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Pennsylvania State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3027 3
Democratic2023 3
Total5050
+colspan=5 Pennsylvania House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican111111
Democratic9292
Total203203

Rhode Island

All of the seats of the Rhode Island Senate and the Rhode Island House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats retained control of both chambers.

+colspan=5 Rhode Island Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2932 3
Republican85 3
Independent11
Total3838
+colspan=5 Rhode Island House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic6569 4
Republican96 3
Libertarian10 1
Total7575

South Carolina

See main article: 2012 South Carolina Senate election. All of the seats of the South Carolina Senate and the South Carolina House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 South Carolina Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2728 1
Democratic1918 1
Total4646
+colspan=5 South Carolina House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican7678 2
Democratic4846 2
Total124124

South Dakota

All of the seats of the South Dakota Senate and the South Dakota House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 South Dakota Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican3028 2
Democratic57 2
Total3535
+colspan=5 South Dakota House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican5053 3
Democratic1917 2
Independent10 1
Total7070

Tennessee

See main article: 2012 Tennessee Senate election and 2012 Tennessee House of Representatives election. Half of the seats of the Tennessee Senate and all of the seats of the Tennessee House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Tennessee Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2026 6
Democratic137 6
Total3333
+colspan=5 Tennessee House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican6471 7
Democratic3427 7
Independent Republican11
Total9999

Texas

See main article: 2012 Texas Senate election and 2012 Texas House of Representatives election. Half of the seats of the Texas Senate and all of the seats of the Texas House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Texas Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican1919
Democratic1212
Total3131
+colspan=5 Texas House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican10295 7
Democratic4855 7
Total150150

Utah

Half of the seats of the Utah State Senate and all of the seats of the Utah House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Utah State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2224 2
Democratic75 2
Total2929
+colspan=5 Utah House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican5861 3
Democratic1714 3
Total7575

Vermont

All of the seats of the Vermont Senate and the Vermont House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats retained control of both chambers.

+colspan=5 Vermont Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2121
Republican87 1
Progressive12 1
Total3030
+colspan=5 Vermont House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic9496 2
Republican4845 3
Progressive55
Independent34 1
Total150150

Washington

See main article: 2012 Washington State Senate election and 2012 Washington House of Representatives election. Half of the seats of the Washington State Senate and all of the seats of the Washington House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Democrats retained control of the state House, while Republicans won control of the state Senate with the help of two Democrats who formed a coalition with them.

+colspan=5 Washington State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2223 1
Democratic272 1
24
Total4949
+colspan=5 Washington House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic5655 1
Republican4243 1
Total9898

West Virginia

See main article: 2012 West Virginia Senate election. Half of the seats of the West Virginia Senate and all of the seats of the West Virginia House of Delegates were up for election in 2012. Democrats retained control of both chambers.

+colspan=5 West Virginia Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic2825 3
Republican69 3
Total3434
+colspan=5 West Virginia House of Delegates
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic6554 11
Republican3546 11
Total100100

Wisconsin

See main article: 2012 Wisconsin Senate election and 2012 Wisconsin State Assembly election. Half of the seats of the Wisconsin Senate and all of the seats of the Wisconsin State Assembly were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of the state Assembly, and won control of the state Senate after having lost control through a series of recall elections earlier in the year, thereby recreating a Republican trifecta.

+colspan=5 Wisconsin Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican1618 2
Democratic1715 2
Total3333
+colspan=5 Wisconsin State Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican5960 1
Democratic3939
Independent10 1
Total9999

Wyoming

Half of the seats of the Wyoming Senate and all of the seats of the Wyoming House of Representatives were up for election in 2012. Republicans retained control of both chambers, maintaining a government trifecta.

+colspan=5 Wyoming Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican2626
Democratic44
Total3030
+colspan=5 Wyoming House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican5052 2
Democratic108 2
Total6060

Territorial and federal district summaries

American Samoa

All of the seats of the American Samoa Senate and the American Samoa House of Representatives were up for election. Members of the senate serve four-year terms, while members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms. Gubernatorial and legislative elections are conducted on a nonpartisan basis in American Samoa.

Guam

All of the seats of the unicameral Legislature of Guam were up for election. All members of the legislature serve a two-year term. Democrats retained control of the legislature.

+colspan=5 Guam Legislature
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic99
Republican66
Total1515

Northern Mariana Islands

A portion of the seats of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate, and all of the seats of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives, were up for election. Members of the senate serve either four-year terms, while members of the house serve two-year terms. Republicans maintained control of the upper house, and Independents won control of the lower house.

+colspan=5 Northern Mariana Islands Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican55
Independent44
Democratic00
Total99
+colspan=5 Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican94 5
Democratic00
Independent412 8
Covenant74 3
Total2020

Puerto Rico

All of the seats of the Senate of Puerto Rico and the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico are up for election. Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives both serve four-year terms. The New Progressive Party lost control of both chambers, to the Popular Democratic Party.

+colspan=5 Puerto Rico Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Popular Democratic918 9
New Progressive228 14
Puerto Rican Independence01 1
Total3127
+colspan=5 Puerto Rico House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Popular Democratic1728 11
New Progressive3723 14
Total5451

U.S. Virgin Islands

All of the seats of the unicameral Legislature of the Virgin Islands were up for election. All members of the legislature serve a two-year term. Democrats retained control of the legislature.

+colspan=5 Virgin Islands Legislature
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic1010
Independent55
Total1515

Washington, D.C.

The Council of the District of Columbia serves as the legislative branch of the federal district of Washington, D.C. Half of the council seats are up for election. Council members serve four-year terms. Democrats retained supermajority control of the council.

+colspan=5 District of Columbia Council
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic1111
Independent22
Total1313

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: State Legislative Elections: Democrats Gain Control Of Eight Chambers. John Celock. Huffington Post. November 7, 2012. November 7, 2012.
  2. Web site: 2020 Legislative Races by State and Legislative Chamber . National Conference of State Legislatures.
  3. Web site: Daigneau . Elizabeth . Jacobson . Louis . 2012-10-23 . The Latest Chamber-by-Chamber Analysis of the 2012 State Legislative Elections . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210224195701/https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-latest-chamber-by-chamber-analysis-2012-state-legislative-elections.html . February 24, 2021 . 2024-07-13 . Governing . en.
  4. News: Zinser . Lynne . 7 November 2012 . A Former Globetrotter Wins Election by Globetrotter-Like Margin . 9 November 2012 . New York Times.