OPINION:
The mainstream media would like you to believe the Republican Party is heading toward its own destruction, that its small-government, conservative values are no longer applicable in today’s changing, more liberal culture.
Nothing could be further from the truth — just look locally.
When Barack Obama was elected, Republicans controlled only 15 state legislatures. They now control 31, more than doubling their influence, according to the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee. In the 2013-2014 cycle, the RLCC picked up 10 new legislative chambers, leading to an all-time high of 69 Republican chambers held.
A Republican candidate won a seat Tuesday on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, maintaining the party’s hold on the state judicial body. Local, conservative grass-roots organizations are working the 2016 state and special elections, with the goal of expanding influence — no matter who is on the top of the presidential ticket.
Overall, Democrats during Mr. Obama’s presidency, have lost 11 governorships, 13 U.S. Senate seats, 69 House seats, and 913 state legislative seats and 30 state legislative chambers, according to calculations by Larry Sabato, political expert at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.
The shedding of U.S. House seats, state legislative seats and statehouse control is at least twice the average two-term losses from Truman through George W. Bush, Mr. Sabato wrote in an analysis for Politico.
So cheer up Republicans. The presidential race may be a mess, but you’re controlling state legislatures — meaning, the conservative message is resonating despite what the liberal media would like you to believe.
Follow the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.