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 |