4 ms·

I can't speak to New York, but this isn't uncommon for a few reasons: 1) Statewide and Nationwide elections attract more voters than local elections. This can

I can't speak to New York, but this isn't uncommon for a few reasons: 1) Statewide and Nationwide elections attract more voters than local elections. This can mean that statewide officials such as the governor are from a party that more state voters support, while the state legislature is comprised of the opposite party, whose voters are more engaged in off years and smaller local elections. Michigan, for example, has had exclusively Democratic US Senators for a long time but the state legislature spent a long time controlled by Republicans. 2) Many state legislatures have appallingly gerrymandered districts to reinforce the party in power. Wisconsin, for instance, is very much a "purple" state (a close mix of Republican and Democratic voters), but its state legislature has Republican supermajorities due to gerrymandering.

TylerE 3y ago
Not any more. Wisc SC just threw out the maps
couchand 3y ago
Those don't describe New York politics in the slightest. New York's governor has been a Democrat since Pataki gave up the job in 2006. The state legislature has had a Democratic majority since 2011, though for many years a small group of supposed Democrats (supported by supposed Democrat Andrew Cuomo) caucused with the Republicans, giving them control. This history of self-owns by the New York State Democratic Party has nothing to do with the forces you suggest, and are in fact due to run-of-the mill nepotism, corruption, and machine politics.
- kevin_thibedeau 3y ago
  It would be nice if someone could convince Pataki to run again. He had enough desire for a presidential campaign that would never have worked when the national base wants a demagogue. With the younger members of his party modeling themselves after the wrong person, there's an opening for an old guard with experience to have one last go at it.
  - couchand 3y ago
    I mean, maybe? The New York Republican Party is such an utter joke I'm not sure it would matter.

TylerE 3y ago

Not any more. Wisc SC just threw out the maps

couchand 3y ago

Those don't describe New York politics in the slightest. New York's governor has been a Democrat since Pataki gave up the job in 2006. The state legislature has had a Democratic majority since 2011, though for many years a small group of supposed Democrats (supported by supposed Democrat Andrew Cuomo) caucused with the Republicans, giving them control. This history of self-owns by the New York State Democratic Party has nothing to do with the forces you suggest, and are in fact due to run-of-the mill nepotism, corruption, and machine politics.

kevin_thibedeau 3y ago
It would be nice if someone could convince Pataki to run again. He had enough desire for a presidential campaign that would never have worked when the national base wants a demagogue. With the younger members of his party modeling themselves after the wrong person, there's an opening for an old guard with experience to have one last go at it.
- couchand 3y ago
  I mean, maybe? The New York Republican Party is such an utter joke I'm not sure it would matter.