| There were two races that could still flip after provisional ballots were counted: HD58 and HD100, both held by Republicans. If provisional and absentee ballots changed the outcome of the race to the Democratic challengers, the House would have a clear Democratic majority.
Neither flipped.
Barring election miracles, Krayton Kerns and Bill Nooney are heading back to the House.
A 50-50 split favors the Democrats, who, by law, get to appoint the Speaker of the House. (In a split House, the Speaker has to be the same party as the Governor.) The committees are split evenly, with parties splitting the chairs of the committees. The Speaker gets to assign bills to particular committees, and set the schedule for voting on the bills.
Not an ideal situation, of course. But much better than having a Republican majority again. Still, it's going to be another ugly session. Look for House Republicans to do a lot of moaning and finger-pointing, and the Senate to be the body that blocks key legislation.
Wheee. |
