Statehouse races are critical to shaping our nation and planning for long-term Democratic success for four reasons:

First, when we flip a statehouse, the conversation in the state changes overnight. When Democrats control statehouses, we make decisions about funding education, healthcare programs, and other bread-and-butter Democratic issues. State legislatures make more decisions that affect citizens' everyday life than Congress, passing 75 bills for every one they pass.

Second, most Congressional and legislative redistricting is done in the state legislatures. State legislatures set the field that the game for Congress is played on. Of the 36 state legislatures that control redistricting, 20 have at least one chamber within 4 seats of changing hands. A flip of about 50 state legislative seats in the right place (out of over seven thousand, nationally) could mean a gain—or a loss—of up to 15 Democratic Congressional seats after the next round of redistricting. The June 2006 U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the Texas mid-decade redistricting increases the stakes. Democrats must have a seat at the table when the district lines are cut to ensure competitive districts.

Third, the DLCC is showing that Democrats can compete—anywhere. Many of our gains in 2004 were in traditionally “red” states, like Colorado, Montana, and North Carolina. In 2006, we made gains in states including Indiana, New Hampshire, and Iowa .

We have proven that Democrats can be successful all across the nation—in red states, in blue states, in rural, urban, and suburban districts, from Presque Isle to Puget Sound, and from the Bible Belt to the Breadbasket.

Lastly, we are training our future national leaders. About 50% of governors and Members of Congress got their start in their statehouse. Many Democratic stars, like Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Kathleen Sebelius, start at the state legislative level before their explosion onto the national scene.

Democrats must win at the state legislative level to have long-term success. Fortunately, through the work of the DLCC, our Democratic state legislators, and our staffers and partners across the country, we're well on our way.