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Battle for the 113th Congress and in the States
U.S. Senate  |  U.S. House (plus Reapportionment and Redistricting)  |  Governors 

In 2012 Republicans are looking to solidify and expand the historic gains they made in the 2010 mid-term elections, while Democrats hope to reverse those gains and achieve some of their own.  Whether President Obama and the Republican nominee currently being determined will have coattails or prove a drag to candidates of their respective parties will play out over the coming months.  The race for money and the role of outside groups will have a significant impact on the outcome of many races.

U.S. Senate: Democrats are defending 21 seats, compared to just ten for the Republicans; additionally there are the two seats held by Independents who tend to align with the Democrats.  There are nine open seats due to retirements.  Democrats are defending six of those and the Lieberman (I) seat; Republicans are defending two open seats.

U.S. House: Two major themes for House races are Republicans' need to defend the 87 freshmen members they gained in the Nov. 2010 mid-term elections, and changes due to reapportionment and redistricting.  Ten states lose seats; and eight states gain seats.  The changes have forced some members into new districts, are producing a number of incumbent vs. incumbent races and prompting more retirements than in a typical year.
 
Governors: The four races in 2011 resulted in no change of party control.  Setting the sThe effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker (R) in Wisconsin ongoing and will likely offer a first campaign (details are still tbd).  Otherwise, elections will be held in 11 states.  Democrats hold eight of these (one is term limited and two retirements) and Republicans three (one term limited).  There are also elections in PR and AS.

State Legislatures: According to the National Conference of State Legislatures as of Jan. 12, 2012, Republicans control both chambers of the state legislatures in 27 states, Democrats control both chambers in 15 states, and the balance is split in seven states (plus Nebraska is unicameral).>

Ballot Measures: Dozens of ballot measures affecting everything from taxes to abortion, marriage and immigration are set for primary and general election ballots in the states (1, 2).