National Outlook
Click here for Brownstein's nationwide analysis on Senate, House and gubernatorial election results. Also see for key dates to watch during the lame duck session in January 2023, as well as committee leadership projections in the House and Senate.
Click here for Brownstein's nationwide analysis on state attorneys general elections and how they impact individuals and businesses alike.
Click here for Brownstein's analysis on cannabis ballot initiatives.
California 2022 Midterm Election Results and Analysis
California voters faced another historic and critical midterm election night, with a sour national mood on the state of the economy and women’s right to choose hanging over voters’ heads as they went to the ballot box.
While the stakes were high this midterm election, the California secretary of state is reporting that there was a slight downturn in registered voters when compared to 2022. Currently, there are just shy of 22 million registered voters in California who cast over 5.5 million ballots, leaving turnout currently at 25.4% as of the morning of Nov. 9, although this number is likely to go up. This is a dramatic drop from the 2020 and 2018 elections, where turnout was at 80.67% and 64.54%, respectively.
As expected, California remains a deep blue state where Republicans have once again failed to make any inroads into state constitutional offices. Reproductive freedom headlined California’s state ballot measures, while two propositions on sports wagering drew in record spending from California’s tribes. The fight over online gaming drew in around $450 million, making it the most expensive ballot measure fight in the country’s history.
Click here to read the full analysis.
Colorado 2022 Midterm Election Results and Analysis
The 2022 midterm election cycle saw Democrats and Republicans alike experiencing both peaks and valleys of political momentum as voters wrestled with how to weigh the consequences of the Dobbs decision, perceived and real increases in crime, the benefits of the federal government’s investment in infrastructure and climate protection policies, and the ramifications of growing inflationary pressures and a general sense of economic malaise.
Going in to Tuesday night, that dynamic certainly appeared to extend to Colorado, where the Centennial State’s Democrats sought to retain control of the governor’s seat and other top-of-the-ballot races while guarding against losing their majorities in the state House and Senate. Meanwhile, earlier this year the Colorado GOP expected to ride a “red wave” into Election Day, but saw their potential surge blunted here in Colorado as national conversations around reproductive rights and election integrity gained steam.
In the end, Colorado saw more of a blue tsunami—not a red wave—materialize. While this year’s voter turnout among Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters alike was dwarfed by 2020’s figures, Democrats noticeably outperformed Republicans when midterm election years traditionally favors the GOP.
Click here to read the full analysis.
Florida 2022 Midterm Election Results and Analysis
Florida’s 2022 Midterm Elections are history—and they are one for the history books. It’s no secret that Florida had always been changing and evolving; Tuesday proved that with a big red flag. Every race had winners and losers; while several contests were never in doubt, the midterms offered more than a few upsets and surprises. And where does Florida go from here?
Click here to read the full analysis and click here for a summary of Florida election results from Brownstein’s strategic lobbying partner, Rubin, Turnbull & Associates.
Nevada 2022 Midterm Election Results and Analysis
After an extensive process of counting and curing mail ballots, U.S. Sen. Cortez Masto was able to hold on to her seat, defeating challenger Adam Laxalt by less than a percentage point, or approximately 8,000 votes. Republicans were able to win the governor’s race with Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo winning the race by approximately 15,384 votes (48.81% to 47.30%).
Nevada’s constitutional offices will be split down party lines with Republicans controlling the governor’s office, lieutenant governor’s office and the state controller’s office. The Democrats will control the attorney general’s office, the secretary of state’s office and the state treasurer’s office. The results of these races depict the amount of ticket-splitting that occurred in the Silver State this cycle.
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New Mexico 2022 Midterm Election Results and Analysis
New Mexico Democrats strengthened their hold on state government by winning all statewide constitutional offices, including Supreme Court and Court of Appeals seats that were on the ballot. Democrats, who currently hold a 45-24-1 (with one independent) edge in the New Mexico House of Representatives, stand to lose one incumbent seat—which, with another Republican pickup of the seat vacated by the independent, will result in a 44-26 majority for the Democrats in the lower chamber. Although, two of those seats, one Republican and the other Democrat, are subject to a recount.
Regardless of the outcome of those races, Democrats will maintain control of both legislative chambers. No Senate seats were on the ballot this election, so Democrats will continue to control the upper chamber by a margin of 26-15 (with one vacancy due to a resignation to be filled by a Democrat) at least through the election of 2024.
Click here to read the full analysis.
Wyoming 2022 Midterm Election Results and Analysis
The Wyoming general election was held on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. As expected, Republicans prevailed and continue to hold all statewide constitutional offices, control of the legislature and the sole U.S. House of Representatives seat. In the August primary, Liz Cheney lost her reelection bid to Harriet Hageman who prevailed over Democrat challenger Lynnette Greybull with more than double the votes.
During redistricting three additional seats were added to the existing 90, one Senate seat and two House seats, for a new total of 93 legislators.
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THIS DOCUMENT IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE YOU WITH GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE 2022 MIDTERM ELECTION STATE RESULTS . THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT ARE NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT OR IF YOU NEED LEGAL ADVICE AS TO AN ISSUE, PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTORNEYS LISTED OR YOUR REGULAR BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK, LLP ATTORNEY. THIS COMMUNICATION MAY BE CONSIDERED ADVERTISING IN SOME JURISDICTIONS. Results are accurate at time of publication.