Democrats Sweep Illinois Elections
SHARON COHEN
Associated Press Writer
Democrats in Illinois swept the statehouse, but the GOP appeared to be making gains Tuesday in other battleground states where party control was up for grabs.
The parties had been almost evenly divided in statehouses heading into the election. Early Wednesday many races were still undecided, but the GOP won back the Senate in Arizona and party leaders claimed crucial victories in Texas and Missouri.
"Now the Legislature will finally reflect the will of the people," declared Susan Weddington, chairwoman of the Texas GOP.
Republicans also had strong showings in several states, gaining seats in New Hampshire, Florida, Maryland, Delaware and Georgia.
"It's too early to tell, but the Republicans have netted seats in a number of places and they may be on their way to breaking the historic trend of the presidential party losing seats in a midterm election," said Tim Storey, an elections analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures.
One of the brightest spots for Democrats was in Illinois, where they took control of state government, retaking the Senate for the first time in a decade, padding their lead in the House and winning the governor's mansion.
Democrats had a victory of another kind in Oklahoma, fending off Republicans, who had hoped to gain control of the House for the first time in 80 years.
Both Democrats and Republicans entered the election contests hoping the new legislative boundaries drawn after the 2000 census would boost their prospects for picking up seats.
The parties had been almost evenly divided in statehouses, with Democrats in total control of legislative chambers in 18 states, compared with 17 for Republicans.
Tuesday's races included several tight contests that had the potential to change that. In about half the states, a shift of four seats or less in one or both chambers could transfer power from one party to another _ and that could reshape the debate on taxes, health care and other key issues.
Primary losses, retirements and term limits pushed the turnover numbers to 22 percent even before the first votes were cast Election Day, Storey said.
Term limits in 11 states forced out more than 300 legislators, though some tried to jump from one chamber to another.
Though state legislators are not as high-profile as governors or members of Congress, some political experts note they have an enormous influence on everyday concerns.
"The most important policy issues that truly matter to folks, close to home, are being hammered out by these lawmakers," Storey said. "Schools, health care, prescription drugs, these are issues you hear a lot of talk about on the federal level, but the states are doing stuff."
But Storey and others also say legislators _ along with governors _ will be hampered by severe money troubles that will force tough decisions and could curb ambitious programs.
"This new corps of legislators," he said, "is going to be inheriting some really difficult budget constraints that are going to color any ability to govern."