In Minnesota, Democratic legislators are considering a boycott of the state capitol this week to prevent Republicans from asserting control over the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, in Michigan, Republican senators, trailing Democrats by one seat, are advocating for a special election to fill a seat they believe could be won by their party.
In Virginia, Democratic candidates in three recent special elections are striving to maintain their majorities in both legislative chambers, as the party seeks to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
As state legislatures convene this month, intense partisan battles highlight the deepening political polarization affecting not only Congress but also state governments nationwide.
The struggle for control places significant pressure on Democratic lawmakers, who, unlike in previous years, are now facing heightened stakes. They are on the defensive as President-elect Donald J. Trump prepares to assume office again, following the Republican takeover of Congress.
Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, emphasized the importance of building and defending Democratic power in the states with Trump and his allies returning to office.
Currently, Republicans hold a majority of statehouses. However, Democrats gained control of four state legislatures in 2022, leveraging that power to enact progressive laws on issues such as abortion and voting rights.
In 2024, Republicans regained the majority in the Michigan House, created a tie in the Minnesota House, and made significant gains in Vermont, arguing that Democrats had overreached.
The most notable conflict is occurring in Minnesota, where the death of Democratic State Senator Kari Dziedzic has resulted in a 33-33 deadlock in the chamber.
In the House, a tie of 67-67 had initially led to a power-sharing agreement, but a court ruling disqualifying a newly elected Democratic legislator from Minneapolis shifted the balance to a 67-66 Republican advantage. A special election is scheduled for January 28, two weeks after the session begins on January 14.
House Republican leader Lisa Demuth stated that no actions can be taken until the special election occurs, emphasizing the importance of numerical accuracy in legislative proceedings.
Democrats have suggested a potential boycott of the session to deny Republicans the quorum needed to commence proceedings.
Recent walkouts in other states have illustrated the growing partisan divide. In Texas, House Democrats fled to Washington in 2021 to prevent Republicans from passing a restrictive voting measure. In Oregon, Republican Senators frequently walked out to stall legislation, prompting voters to amend the state constitution to prohibit such actions.
Bill Kramer, vice president and counsel of a government relations firm, noted that a walkout in Minnesota would be unprecedented at the start of a legislative session.
In Michigan, moderate Democrat Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet's election to Congress has narrowed the Democrats' majority in Lansing to 19-18, prompting Senate Republicans to urge Governor Gretchen Whitmer to call a special election promptly.
In Virginia, Democrats were defending narrow majorities in both chambers during recent special elections, which were critical for advancing their agenda, particularly concerning abortion rights.
Despite light turnout in some areas, the balance of power remained unchanged, with two Democrats and one Republican winning their respective races.
Overall, Republicans control 28 state legislatures, while Democrats hold 18, with the remaining states either split or led by bipartisan coalitions.
In North Carolina, a party switch by a legislator allowed Republicans to impose a 12-week abortion limit, demonstrating the significance of individual votes even in states dominated by one party.
In Pennsylvania, the House has experienced precarious control, with Democrats maintaining a slim majority despite challenges. A recent medical emergency among a Democratic member has once again led to a tie in the House.
However, the new session commenced smoothly, with the re-election of the previous Democratic speaker occurring without the complications seen in prior years, suggesting a potential shift towards cooperation amid narrow margins.
Representative Michael Schlossberg remarked on the lessons learned from previous experiences, advising against confusing short-term gains with long-term strategy.