State legislative elections, 2013
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In the 50 states, there are 99 state legislative chambers altogether, and three of the 99 chambers held state legislative elections on November 5, 2013.
The three chambers with elections in 2013 were in two states. They were:
Louisiana and Mississippi also typically hold elections in odd years. However, legislators are elected to 4-year terms in those states and those are not up for election again until 2015.
A total of 40 of the country's 1,972 state senate seats were up for re-election in November 2013, and 180 of the country's 5,411 state house seats were up for re-election. Altogether, 220 of the country's 7,383 state legislative seats were up for re-election on November 5, 2013.
| Partisan Balance of All 99 Chambers Before and After 2013 Elections | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-election | Post-election | |||||||
| Legislative chamber | 
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| State senates | 20 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 28 | 1 | 1 |
| State houses | 21 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 28 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals: | 41 | 56 | 1 | 1 | 41 | 56 | 1 | 1 |
Analysis of competitiveness
An overview of the degree of competitiveness of the 2013 state legislative elections was conducted that examined three competitiveness factors:
15 incumbents faced a primary challenger in 2013.- 191 incumbents (92.7%) who ran for re-election in 2013 had no primary challenger.
- Since 205 incumbents ran for re-election in 2013, that means that only 7.3% of incumbents faced a primary challenger.
- Major party candidates with major party competition in the November 2013 state legislative elections
- 58 major party candidates (26.4%) had no major party challenger on November 5.
- In 205 (93.2%) of the 220 seats up for election on November 5, the incumbent ran for re-election.
- In 15 (6.8%) of the 220 seats up for election on November 5, the incumbent did not run for re-election.
New Jersey
Elections were held in all 40 of New Jersey's senate districts on November 5, 2013.
New Jersey's state senators are elected to four-year terms. New Jersey legislators assume office at noon on the second Tuesday in January following the election.[1]
As of May 13, 2013, Democratic candidates for the state Legislature had raised $15.5 million and spent $11.4 million, while Republicans had raised $7 million and spent $6.2 million. In the 2011 election cycle, Democrats raised $11.4 million and Republicans raised $6.2 million in the same amount of time.[2]
The state legislative races in New Jersey also attracted attention from outside groups, including the Washington, D.C., super PAC the Fund for Jobs, Growth and Security. This super PAC with Democratic affiliations and was founded to prevent Governor Chris Christie (R) from governing with Republican majorities and allowing him to advance a conservative agenda in the state.[3]
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Virginia
Virginia did not hold any state senate elections in 2013.
Virginia's state representatives are elected to two-year terms. Virginia legislators assume office the second Wednesday in January after the election.[4][5]
| Virginia House of Delegates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 4, 2013 | After the 2013 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 32 | 33 | |
| Republican Party | 65 | 67 | |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | |
| Vacancy | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | |
Special elections
Across the nation, special elections are frequently conducted to fill vacancies in state legislatures. 27 states use special elections to fill legislative vacancies. In two states, Illinois and Indiana, special elections are used in limited circumstances. In 2013, 84 state legislative seats were filled through special elections in 23 states.
Recalls
As of January 2013, six recall efforts to oust state legislators have been attempted. Two recall campaigns, both from Colorado, obtained enough signatures prior to their deadlines to initiate an election. Recall elections for Senators Angela Giron and John Morse were held on September 10, 2013. Both legislators were targeted for recall after passing gun control legislation through means that circumvented any possible voter referendum.[6][7][8]
- See also: Political recall efforts
Angela Giron Recall
Angela Giron was recalled from her position as Senator for District 3 on September 10. George Rivera (R) was selected to succeed her.[9]
| Shall Angelo Giron be recalled from the office of State Senate, District 3? | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 Recall | 19,355 | 56.01% | ||
| Retain | 15,201 | 43.99% | ||
| Candidates nominated to succeed Angela Giron should se be recalled: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| George Rivera (R) | 19,301 | 88.16% | ||
 Write-in | 2,592 | 11.84% | ||
John Morse Recall
John Morse was recalled from his position as President of the Colorado State Senate and Senator for District 11 on September 10. Bernie Herpin (R) was selected to succeed him.[10]
| Shall John Morse be recalled from the office of State Senate, District 11? | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Recall | 9,094 | 50.96% | ||
| Retain | 8,751 | 49.04% | ||
| Candidates nominated to succeed John Morse should he be recalled: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Bernie Herpin (R) | 8,895 | 83.2% | ||
| Write-in | 1,796 | 16.8% | ||
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ New Jersey Constitution, "Article IV, Section II (2.)," accessed February 10, 2021
- ↑ nj.com, "Fundraising for N.J. legislative candidates spikes," May 13, 2013
- ↑ POLITICO, "Democrats eye super PACs for state races," September 22, 2013
- ↑ Virginia Legislative Information System, "Code of Virginia - § 24.2-214. Election and term of Senators." accessed January 6, 2022
- ↑ Virginia Legislative Information System, "Code of Virginia - § 24.2-215. Election and term of members of the House of Delegates." accessed January 6, 2022
- ↑ thedenverchannel.com, "Recall efforts underway for lawmakers supporting gun control legislation," May 12, 2013
- ↑ blogs.denverpost.com, "In Sen. Angela Giron recall, organizers say they’ll submit more than 13,500 signatures," June 10, 2013
- ↑ thisiscommonsense.com, "A Voter Revolt," June 11, 2013
- ↑ county.pueblo.org, "2013 Recall Election Results - Unofficial Results," accessed September 10, 2013
- ↑ elpasoelections.com, "Election Summary Report - 2013 El Paso County Recall Election - Unofficial Results," accessed September 10, 2013
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