Between 2008 and 2010, Republicans won 61 special elections across the country. Special election victories proved to be a great indicator of the momentum Republicans had going into the historic Election Day of 2010, when at least 690 new Republican Legislators were elected. Republicans now hold more chambers in the states since 1928 and are well positioned leading into the Presidential campaign cycle.

The RSLC will continue to monitor special elections in 2011 and keep you up-to-date with the continued Republican momentum in the states.

Upcoming Special Elections
Below is a list of states with special elections in 2011 that we are watching. Click on each race to find out what the impact of that election will have on the make-up of the legislature, who is running and how you can help.

December
South Carolina House District 21 - 12/14/10 - WIN
Texas House District 44 - 12/14/10 - WIN

January
California Senate District 1 - 1/4/11 - WIN
Iowa Senate District 48 - 1/4/11 - WIN
Virginia Senate District 19 - 1/11/11 - WIN
Virginia House District 8 - 1/11/11 - WIN
Mississippi Senate District 6 - 1/11/11 - WIN
Mississippi House District 116 - 1/11/11 - WIN
Oklahoma Senate District 47 - 1/11/11 - WIN
Iowa Senate District 35 - 1/18/11 - WIN
Louisiana Senate District 22 - 1/22/11 - WIN

February
Georgia House District 136 - 2/15/11 - WIN
Georgia House District 178 - 2/15/11 - WIN
California Senate District 17 - 2/15/11 - WIN
Connecticut Senate District 13 - 2/22 - WIN
Connecticut House District 101 - 2/22 - WIN

March
Maine House District 11 - 3/1/11 - WIN
Arkansas House District 24 - 3/8/11
Tennessee Senate District 18 - 3/8/11
Pennsylvania Senate District 11 - 3/15/11

April
South Carolina House District 64 - 4/5/11
South Carolina Senate District 16 - 4/12/11
California Senate District 28 - 4/19/11

TBD
California Assembly District 4
Connecticut House District 126
Connecticut House District 99
Connecticut House District 101
Connecticut House District 20
Connecticut House District 36
Connecticut House District 25
Connecticut Senate District 13
Connecticut Senate District 6
Connecticut Senate District 27

What is a Special Election?
Simply put, Special Elections are elections held on different days than general elections to fill an unexpected vacancy. Special Elections fill open seats as a result of vacancies that can and do happen for a lot of different reasons, such as death or retirement. Filling those offices with commonsense future Republican leaders now is every bit as important as filling them on your regular Election Day in the Fall!

Why are Special Elections so Important?
They are a measure of the political climate! Special Elections provide a TREMENDOUS opportunity to strengthen Republican majorities and make real gains on Democrats in state legislatures across the country. The results can offer a glimpse of the current political climate and can send a message to the media and Democrats: The Republican Party is alive and well, building the farm team for the future!

What can I do to help Republicans in Special Elections?
You can help us send a message! Because Special Elections happen when voters aren't used to going to the polls, providing our Republicans with the resources they need to put them over the top is more important than ever. At the Republican State Leadership Committee, we are busy tracking and supporting our candidates in special elections from coast to coast. Our goal is to connect Republican candidates with supporters like you across the country and in their districts who are interested in keeping or returning commonsense to state government.