Previewing 2019’s state legislative elections

State legislative offices are up for regular election in seven chambers across four states this year. General elections in Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia are scheduled for November 5, while general elections in Louisiana are set for November 16.

The chambers with the closest margins of partisan control are in Virginia, where Republicans hold two-seat advantages in both the state House and Senate.

Louisiana State Senate and House of Representatives

Louisiana’s state legislators are elected to four-year terms. Both chambers have term limits that prevent a state legislator from serving for more than three terms, or 12 years, in a particular chamber. The chambers last held elections in 2015. As of March 2019, here is the partisan balance of the chambers:

Senate:

Democrats: 14
Republicans: 25

House:

Democrats: 37
Republicans: 62

Louisiana is currently under divided government with a Democratic governor.

Mississippi State Senate and House of Representatives

Mississippi’s state legislators are elected to four-year terms. The chambers last held elections in 2015. As of March 2019, here is the partisan balance of the chambers:

Senate:

Democrats: 19
Republicans: 33

House:

Democrats: 46
Republicans: 73

Mississippi is currently one of 22 Republican trifectas.

New Jersey General Assembly

New Jersey’s state representatives are elected to two-year terms. The New Jersey General Assembly last held elections in 2017. The New Jersey State Senate is not holding elections in 2019. Senators began four-year terms after being elected in 2017. As of March 2019, here is the partisan balance of the chamber:

Assembly:

Democrats: 54
Republicans: 26

New Jersey is currently one of 14 Democratic trifectas.

Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates

Virginia’s state senators are elected to four-year terms. The Virginia State Senate last held elections in 2015. Virginia’s state representatives are elected to two-year terms. The Virginia House of Delegates last held elections in 2017. As of March 2019, here is the partisan balance of the chambers:

Senate: