For the third consecutive election cycle, Republican state legislators in Louisiana have more term-limited members than Democrats. In 2023, Republicans have 16 term-limited lawmakers, whereas Democrats have six. Louisiana is the only state holding elections for a term-limited legislature in 2023. Out of the 144 seats up for election in the Louisiana State Legislature this year, 15% are held by legislators who are term-limited.
Between 2011 and 2023, Democrats had an average of 11 term-limited legislators, whereas Republicans had an average of 15 term-limited legislators. Democrats in Louisiana have not had more term-limited legislators than Republicans since the 2011 election cycle. From 2011 to 2023, Republicans experienced the highest number of term-limited legislators in 2019, with 29 Republicans reaching their term limits compared to 17 Democrats.
Louisiana has a divided government where neither party holds a state government trifecta. A trifecta happens when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. The last party to hold a trifecta in the state was the Republican Party in 2015. The Democratic Party currently controls the governor’s office. After a series of party switches and special elections, Republicans gained majorities in both state legislative chambers in February 2011 and have maintained those majorities ever since. Republicans currently hold a 27-12 majority in the state Senate and a 77-33 majority with one independent in the state House.
In 2023, Ballotpedia will be covering state legislative elections in Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia. To view all of the races Ballotpedia will be covering in Louisiana in 2023, click here.
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