Highlights of the 2007 Elections

Governor

State Legislature
Virginia

• Democrats took control of the State Senate with a 21 to 19 post election split due to Republican losses in northern suburbs.  Republicans retain control of the House of Delegates but Democrats gain seats.

Louisiana

• Runoffs on November 17
• State House:  Democrats will control at least 45 seats and Republicans will have least 42 seats
• State Senate stays in Democratic hands

New Jersey

• Democrats gained one seat in the Senate for a 23-17 advantage
• Democrats lost 2 seats in the Assembly for a 48-32 majority
• Turnout expected to be the lowest for any legislative election there since the early 1900’s 

Mississippi

• Democrats regained a majority in the Senate, shifting from 27R - 25D to 28D - 24R

Congressional
Ohio 5

• Special general election December 11
• Incomplete and disputed results – State Rep. Bob Latta (R) over State Senator Steve Buehrer (R) in primary
• Democrats nominated Robin Weirauch (this will be her third attempt for this seat)

Initiatives

• Maine voters rejected a relaxation of term limits for state legislators
• New Jersey voters rejected an ambitious plan to borrow almost half a billion dollars for stem cell research but backed state borrowing for open spaces
• Texas voters supported funding for cancer research touted by Lance Armstrong despite opposition from anti-spending groups
• Utah voters soundly defeated a measure previously backed by state legislature to provide school vouchers for all students
• Oregon voters rejected an increase in tobacco taxes for expanded child health care services
• Washington voters approved a plan to provide triple damages for consumers denied insurance coverage, tax limitation advocates were successful in getting two-thirds requirement for tax increases