In 2020, the entire House of Representatives, one third of the Senate, the Presidency, and hundreds of state legislative seats were up for grabs. Recognizing the importance of investing in Democratic gains at the state level, we partnered with Future Now Fund to target state legislative races in five key swing states: Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas.
We applied Future Now Fund’s proven district analysis to 133 potentially competitive districts across these five states to identify where our support could be the difference between a win and a loss.
We helped raise nearly $6 million for 84 candidates to address strategic gaps and budget deficits in staffing and voter contact programs.
We matched 133 Arena Academy graduates with jobs on campaigns in our five target states, and supported them through ongoing 1:1 coaching.
Our deep and longstanding partnerships with campaigns, caucuses, and legislative leadership in each state enabled us to identify staffing and other needs.
Flip a chamber
State Senate
13 Democrats / 17 Republicans
State House
29 Democrats / 31 Republicans
In Arizona, the current governing majority has led a coordinated, multi-year effort to undermine fundamental democratic processes and Arizonans’ ability to get a good education and quality healthcare.
In 2020, the entire House and Senate are up for election and just two seats in the Senate and one seat in the House will break the current majority. If Democrats win two House seats they will control the chamber outright for the first time in five decades.
Flip the state house
State House
47 Democrats / 73 Republicans
The majority in the Florida legislature is doubling down on the same strategy that has kept them in power since the 1990s: preventing Floridians from exercising their right to vote and selling the state to vested special interests.
In 2020, the entire Florida House is up for election, and Democrats need to flip thirteen seats to tie or fourteen to achieve a majority. There are 21 Republican-held seats that are competitive for Democrats, including 15 that voted for either Hillary Clinton or Bill Nelson.
Flip the state house
State House
52 Democrats / 58 Republicans
Michigan’s politics show that a Democratic Governor is not enough. The existing majority in the legislature still won’t play ball. They used a lame duck session after the 2018 elections to undermine the will of voters at almost every turn. Plus, the DeVos family — the same family who sponsored the recent protests at the capitol — is bankrolling Republican candidates running throughout the state.
In 2020, the entire House is up for election and Democrats only need to net four out of 58 Republican seats to flip the chamber. It seems exceedingly unlikely the state will be ignored by the Democratic presidential candidate again and a big effort would pay major dividends in this traditionally blue state.
Flip a chamber
State Senate
21 Democrats / 29 Republicans
State House
55 Democrats / 65 Republicans
For six years, the majority in North Carolina ran unobstructed in implementing the greatest hits of the corporatist, far right-wing playbook, sharpening the state’s partisan divide and hurting its citizens. These significant legislative gains of 2018 broke Republican supermajorities, but failed to break their penchant for political machinations and gerrymandering to keep their power intact.
In 2020, the entire House and Senate are up for election. A state court has imposed new, fairer districts in many areas across North Carolina. In the House, there are 5 Republican-held seats that have been carried by statewide Democrats in this decade and six more where they came close, many in areas that are trending Democratic. And Popular Democratic Governor Roy Cooper is running for re-election and will be working to ensure he finally has a legislature able to partner with him to improve lives.
Flip the house
State Senate
12 Democrats / 19 Republicans
State House
67 Democrats / 83 Republicans
For decades, the Texas legislature has been swept up in racism and right-wing ideology. Today, the legislature is defined by its meanness and intolerance.
In 2020, the entire Texas House is up for election, and Democrats need to net nine of 83 Republican-held seats to flip the chamber.
Republicans have spent decades cultivating talent and investing for the long run, and right now we’re paying the price. Republicans control 30 state legislatures, 28 governors mansions, and are just a few seats away from regaining control of Congress. Together with an activist Supreme Court, they’re enacting policies that turn back progress on everything from abortion to voting rights to climate change.
Arena is building a new generation of political leaders who will lead the fight to save our democracy and build progressive power for the long run. It’s going to take all of us to make change. Join us in this work.
Connect
Resources
About
Support
Paid for by Arena Summit, a section 501(c)(4) organization, and Arena PAC.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
By providing your cell phone number you consent to receive periodic updates from Arena, including automated text messages and phone calls. Txt HELP for help, STOP to end. Msg & Data rates may apply. See our Privacy Policy.
By providing your cell phone number you consent to receive periodic updates from Arena, including automated text messages and phone calls. Txt HELP for help, STOP to end. Msg & Data rates may apply. See our Privacy Policy.