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Dorothy H. and Edward C. Congdon
Professor of Political Science
Carleton College
The Democratic party scored big wins across Upper Midwest state legislatures on Tuesday night. As projected here at Smart Politics, the Democrats picked up seats in all 8 chambers and took control of three of them: the Iowa House, Wisconsin Senate, and Minnesota House. Some democratic pickups - particularly in Minnesota - were even larger than those projected here on Monday. A few state legislative races were very close, and will likely have recounts; below is a summary of the unofficial election returns.
Iowa House
Smart Politics projection: Democrats +5; Democrats win control of House.
Election results: Democrats +5; Democrats win control of House, 54-46.
Iowa Senate
Smart Politics projection: Democrats +3; Democrats maintain control of Senate.
Election results: Democrats +5; Democrats maintain control of Senate, 30-20.
Wisconsin Assembly
Smart Politics projection: Democrats +7; GOP retains control of Assembly.
Election results: Democrats +8; GOP retains control of Assembly, 52-47.
Wisconsin Senate
Smart Politics projection: Democrats +3; Democrats win control of Senate.
Election results: Democrats +4; Democrats win control of Senate, 18-15.
Minnesota House
Smart Politics projection: DFL +7; DFL wins control of House.
Election results: DFL +19; DFL wins control of House, 85-49.
Minnesota Senate
Smart Politics projection: DFL +2; DFL retains control of Senate.
Election results: DFL +6; DFL retains control of Senate, 44-23.
South Dakota House
Smart Politics projection: Democrats +4; GOP retains control of House.
Election results: Democrats +1; GOP retains control of House, 50-20.
South Dakota Senate
Smart Politics projection: Democrats +2; GOP retains control of Senate.
Election results: Democrats +5; GOP retains control of Senate, 20-15.