The midterms could reshape American politics far beyond Congress

In an article published on 29 October, The Economist looked at how the midterms could reshape American politics far beyond Congress[1]. News reports that "state legislatures may have an even greater impact on Americans' lives"[2] than the race for Congress. It adds that Democrats hope to create new trifectas in Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Wisconsin[2].According to MultiState, 6,139 state legislative seats in 46 states and 36 governorships are on the ballot on November 3[3]. MultiState says a Democratic sweep of the competitive races would give the party 22 trifectas, "the first time they held more trifecta states than Republicans since the 2010 wave election"[3].The Cook Political Report says that Republicans hold 26 governorships to the Democrats' 24, and that Republicans could fall as low as 22 seats on a bad night, while Democrats could climb to 28[4].Stateline reports that Sabato's Crystal Ball columnist Louis Jacobson changed projections for 10 chambers, all in favour of Democrats[5]. Jacobson wrote that Democrats expect "a favorable year driven by a reaction to President Donald Trump and his policies"[5].Will Rusche of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee told ABC News that "the opportunity in state legislatures is huge"[6]. Republican State Leadership Committee President Edith Jorge-Tuñón told ABC News that her group aims to "overcome historical headwinds and hold as many majorities as possible"[6].A Republican statement quoted by Stateline said "the legislators elected in 2026 will shape redistricting and the balance of power for years to come"[7].