From the Times Record Online:

Looking to capitalize on years of groundwork and the prevailing political wind, Republicans enter the fall campaign confident of gaining a strong GOP foothold in the state Legislature in the November general election.

Democrats have dominated both chambers since Reconstruction. Currently, the party controls 71 seats in the 100-member House (with one seat vacant) and 27 of 35 Senate seats.

Seventeen Senate seats and all 100 House seats were up for election this year. As a result of primaries this spring, Democrats are assured of at least 19 Senate seats and Republicans eight when the 88th General Assembly convenes in January.

Democrat Joyce Elliott, who is running for Congress, could return to the Senate if she loses. Competitive races are on tap for the remaining seven seats.

In the House, 37 Democrats and 21 Republicans have secured seats, leaving 42 seats up for grabs in 32 head-to-head contests between Democrats and Republicans, nine races featuring Democrats with Green Party or independent opponents and one Republican with an independent challenger.

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