Democrats have consistently overperformed in special elections in red states, while Republicans have still flipped zero seats since Trump’s election
WASHINGTON — Arkansas Democrat and DLCC Spotlight candidate Alex Holladay just won by double digits and flipped a GOP seat, clinching state legislative Democrats’ 27th flip of the cycle. The DLCC Spotlighted this flip opportunity last month to focus attention and resources on this Republican-leaning House district.
This upset flip comes on the heels of several embarrassing losses for Republicans in red states, including Texas Democrat Taylor Rehmet’s impressive 32-point swing to flip a GOP stronghold and Louisiana Democrat Chasity Verret Martinez’s staggering 37-point swing over the last few weeks.
Democrats have now flipped 27 seats since Trump’s election across red and battleground territory, and Republicans have flipped zero. There are more special elections to watch on the horizon as the DLCC continues to build power and momentum heading into competing on our historic target map this November.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“State legislative Democrats are securing one earthquake win after another in special elections – even in red states. These special elections should sound alarm bells across the Republican Party for what’s in store. As voters continue to reject Republicans for raising costs and instead trust Democrats like Alex Holladay, the DLCC is building strong campaigns across the country to make the biggest gains down-ballot in two decades. We will continue competing everywhere and putting Republicans on defense in the reddest parts of our country.
“If Republicans are bleeding support in Arkansas, imagine what’s possible this November. We’re only just getting started.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the campaign arm of Democratic state legislatures and leads the national strategy for building power and winning new majorities. Over the last three decades, we have strategized cycle over cycle to win majorities and lead the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level, winning nearly a dozen new chamber majorities over the last decade. Our work has ensured that nearly half of Americans are represented by at least one Democratic majority in their statehouse. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class and advancing opportunity, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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