NYT/AP: Parties Finance State Legislature Races
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 16, 2006
NEW YORK (AP) -- With the Republican and Democratic divide almost even in the nation's state legislatures, the parties are pouring money into often-overlooked races that could tip the balance of power in several states.
That matters more than ever this election because of the added flexibility courts have given legislatures to redraw the boundaries of congressional districts.
Add up all of the nearly 7,400 seats in state legislatures across the country and Democrats hold the barest 21-seat advantage. In 20 states, Republican control both chambers, with Democrats controlling both houses in 19 others.
A change in just a handful of seats could shift control in a number of states....
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The national parties have stepped into that divide, bringing their polling, campaigning and fundraising techniques to legislative districts that, in some states, number just a few thousand voters....
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Legislative-Races.html