Republicans lose ground as Democrats win seats in pivotal statehouses

Republicans in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania suffered losses in House special elections, putting the party’s majority in one of the statehouses in danger.

New Hampshire Democrat Hal Rafter defeated Republican James Guzofski in the special election in Rockingham County District 1 on Tuesday, flipping a seat held by a Republican who resigned in April. The loss on Tuesday night, combined with losses in the 2022 elections, means the GOP only holds a 198-197 advantage over Democrats in the statehouse.

WITH NO CLEAR PATH TO AVOID A SHUTDOWN, HOUSE REPUBLICANS’ INTERNAL TENSIONS SPEW INTO THE PUBLIC

The district, which voted for Trump 49.1% to 48.7% in 2020, voted for Rafter over Guzofski 55.9% to 44.1%, a margin of 331 votes. Republicans hold a trifecta in the Granite State, having a majority in the state House and state Senate, along with holding the governor’s mansion.

Republicans in Pennsylvania also suffered a special election loss, which means they will continue to operate in the minority in the statehouse. Democrat Lindsay Powell easily defeated Republican Erin Connolly Autenreith in the heavily Democratic district, keeping the Democrats’ slim majority at 102-101. The GOP lost 12 seats in the Pennsylvania Statehouse in the 2022 elections, leading to Democratic control of the chamber for the first time in 12 years.

Both states are critical swing states for Republicans in the presidential election, as well as other races in 2024.

Popular Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH) will not be seeking reelection in 2024, leaving the door open for a Democrat to take control, while in Pennsylvania, the GOP is seeking to pick up a Senate seat by ousting Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) next year.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

In addition to those key races, the tight partisan divides in both statehouses will mean the 2024 election will be critical for both state Republican parties if they seek to hold power in the two key states.

Elections in 2023 have not been kind to Republicans, with the GOP losing important contests in Wisconsin and Florida, among other places.