New York state Dems were supposed to be hurt in their quest to retake the state Senate by the transgressions of Eliot Spitzer. But that was before the financial crisis. Democrats took New York's Senate back last night for the first time since 1966, and also won legislative chambers in Wisconsin, Ohio, Delaware, and Nevada. Republicans took control in Tennessee, Montana, and Oklahoma.
With control of state houses, parties can influence redistricting. No one understands this better than Barack Obama, who built up his base of affluent supporters in Chicago by redistricting his seat to include parts of the Gold Coast. The Obama campaign had hoped in particular to retake Texas' state legislature this year, in large part to create Congressional districts more friendly to Dems, particularly in areas burgeoning with immigrants. But that didn't happen last night, as Republicans retained a slim majority. Efforts to avenge Trent Lott's successful pro-GOP Texas redistricting scheme are again on hold.
--Dana Goldstein
