State Government Trifectas

A trifecta is where one political party holds the governorship as well as control of both branches of the state legislature. Nebraska is included when one party holds the governorship and control of the unicameral (single body) legislature. 

There are currently 23 Republican (including Nebraska) and 14 Democratic trifectas. The most recent change to this total occurred in January, 2022, when Democrats lost their trifecta in Virginia. Republicans there won the governorship and control of the House of Delegates (state House) in the November, 2021 elections.

Alaska is not considered a Republican trifecta, despite having a Republican governor and holding majorities in both branches of the legislature. In the state House, power is shared via an interparty coalition. 

Alaska, Minnesota and Virginia are the only states where the two parties split control of the legislature. Put another way, in 10 of the 13 states where there is no trifecta, that is because the governor is of a different party than the one with full control of the legislature.

2022 Elections: Trifecta Impacts

The 2022 elections may result in a shift to the trifecta status in some states.  Here are 10 possibilities; this is not an exhaustive list.