Democrats Invest Millions to Flip Republican State Legislatures

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is investing millions of dollars to flip Republican-held state legislatures in the 2026 elections. Targeting states including Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, the committee is leveraging an anti-incumbent mood and the low popularity of President Trump to capture new majorities.

In Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro is seeking a legislative trifecta to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, codify abortion rights, and increase affordable housing. His Republican challenger, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, argues that Shapiro has used the divided legislature as an excuse for a lack of leadership, claiming that real leadership involves negotiating with opponents.

Similar efforts are underway in Arizona, where Democrats aim to help Governor Katie Hobbs roll back school vouchers, and in New Hampshire, where they seek to check Governor Kelly Ayotte. In response, the Republican State Leadership Committee has adopted a defensive-first posture, acknowledging that the current political environment is among the most challenging for state Republicans in recent years.