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.

State  Trifecta Now? Comments
Arizona Republican Republicans would lose trifecta if Democrats win governor's race
Connecticut Democratic Democrats would lose trifecta if Republicans flip either branch of General Assembly
Kansas No Republicans would gain trifecta if they win governor's race
Maine Democratic Competitive races for governor and control of both branches of legislature; GOP win in any would remove trifecta
Maryland No Democrats are favored to win the governor's race which would add trifecta
Massachusetts No Democrats are favored to win the governor's race, which would add trifecta
Minnesota No Democrats would gain trifecta if they flip state Senate and hold state House
Nevada Democratic Democrats would lose trifecta if Republicans win governor's race
Pennsylvania No Republicans would gain trifecta if they win governor's race
Wisconsin No Republicans would gain trifecta if they win governor's race