So far this year, 19 state legislative incumbents — three Democrats and 16 Republicans — have lost to primary challengers.
Across the six states that have held primaries, 2.8% of incumbents running for re-election have lost, which is less than at this point in 2022 (3.7%).
The totals below include data from elections in both legislative chambers in Illinois and Ohio, all held on March 19.
- In Illinois, two Democrats lost.
- In Ohio, five Republicans lost.
These figures are as of March 20, and include two uncalled primaries featuring incumbents: both Democratic. For primaries held before March 19, eight races featuring incumbents remained uncalled: seven Democratic and one Republican.
Republican incumbents have lost at a higher rate than Democrats. Of the 380 Republican incumbents who filed for re-election, 16 (4.2%) have lost to primary challengers. For Democrats, three of the 305 who filed for re-election (1.0%) have lost.
Of the six states that have held primaries so far, two have Democratic trifectas, three have Republican trifectas, and one has a divided government.
