If a Democratic wave is building, let's make sure it sweeps along the state legislatures. Democrats tend to keep their focus on top of the ticket Congressional races. On the Republican side, they have a better track record of looking further down ballot. Tom DeLay used it to his advantage in Texas. Control of state legislatures matter. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) does the yeoman's work on state leg. races -- working with the state caucuses around the country.
Yesterday, USA Today laid out the state of play in the states:
Republicans hold the governorships and both chambers of the state legislatures in 12 states; Democrats, in eight. Republicans' control is in jeopardy in three of those states: Ohio, Alaska and Indiana.It would be a shame to take control of Congress and not make similar gains at the state level. In 1994, the GOP's success was mirrored at the state level.
Democrats face the possibility of losing dominance in only one state: Maine. Meanwhile, the party has a chance for control in eight other states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana and Tennessee.
In Arkansas, Maryland and Massachusetts, Democrats hold majorities in the state legislature and are hoping to take the governor's mansion. In other states, races for the state legislature will decide whether the one party can take control.
That has turned usually little-noticed races into heated contests.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee hopes to spend $10 million on state House and Senate races this year, up from $7 million in the 2004 campaign cycle.
State legislative control matters. It matters for redistricting. It matters for the development of progressive policy. And, it matters for the creation of a farm team of future leaders.
And PS, don't forget to give to Gary Trauner (D-WY), who is running for the sole congressional seat in Wyoming. He's running against a far-right Bush clone and is within striking distance.
The Iraq debacle: $330 billion.
The look on Dick Cheney's face when we take his old congressional seat: Priceless.
