Over the past 40 years, Republicans have quietly gained overwhelming power in state legislatures. It did not happen overnight, and it won’t reverse itself soon. The implications could linger for years.
Even after the 1980 election — when Ronald Reagan was first elected president — Democrats still controlled most statehouses: 29 to the Republicans’ 15. The two parties shared power in the few that remained, all in the Midwest and Northeast.
After the 2020 election, the numbers nearly reversed. Republicans control 30 state legislatures, while Democrats hold only 18.
How did the GOP make such big gains? And what do those gains mean? CONTINUED
David Byler, Washington Post
The OPINION TODAY email newsletter is a concise daily rundown of significant new poll results and insightful analysis. It’s FREE. Sign up here: opiniontoday.substack