Upper Midwestern Democrats are hoping the large deficits they currently face in state legislatures around the five-state region (IA, MN, ND, SD, WI) do not grow in November’s elections. After the 2010 cycle, Republicans enjoyed a 144-88 advantage in state senates across these states (62.1 percent) – their best showing since in 40 years when they won 65.7 percent of upper chamber seats in 1970. On the House side, Republicans bested the Democrats in 2010 by a 311-184-2 margin (62.6 percent) which was their best showing since 1968 when they captured 68.0 percent of lower chamber seats. Through recall and special elections Democrats have netted one house and two senate seats since November 2010, but the party currently controls just two of the 10 chambers in these five states (the Iowa Senate and Wisconsin Senate).

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