By Terence Stovall and Dan Papineau
Democrats enjoyed a strong election night across the country, making significant gains in state-level races and shifting the balance of political power in several key states. The party picked up gubernatorial seats, flipped legislative chambers, and gained unified control of state government in several states where power had previously been divided. The results represent a significant shift in the political landscape heading into 2027 and could have important implications for the business community.
For the landscape industry, changes in state leadership and legislative control could influence policy debates surrounding labor and workforce, business regulations, taxes, environmental policy and pesticide use. Several states stood out, with outcomes that will be particularly important to NALP members and the industry’s state-level advocacy efforts:
Arizona
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs won reelection, and Democrats won control of both the House and Senate. The results will shift Arizona from divided government to its first Democratic trifecta since 1966, with Democrats controlling the governor’s office and both legislative chambers. Some individual races remain uncalled, but control of both chambers has been determined.
Unified control gives Hobbs and Democratic lawmakers more room to pursue shared priorities after governing alongside Republican legislative majorities. For landscape professionals, the significance will depend on whether that opening produces changes in water-use policy, pesticide oversight, or employer requirements.
Colorado
Democrats preserved their governing trifecta in Colorado, with Phil Weiser winning the governor’s race and the party retaining the House and Senate, extending unified Democratic control that began in 2019. As of November 8, reported results gave Democrats two-thirds majorities in both chambers, including a 24–11 Senate majority, although some individual House races remained uncalled.
Continued Democratic control could give renewed momentum to efforts to weaken statewide pesticide preemption or ban certain products or chemistries. A paraquat ban proposal is already under development in Colorado. Equipment-transition policies will also remain important for landscape businesses, particularly whether requirements account for commercial equipment needs, charging infrastructure and implementation costs.
Michigan
Democrats regained complete control of state government in Michigan, with Jocelyn Benson defeating Republican John James in the gubernatorial race. Democrats also expanded their majority in the state Senate, picking up two seats, and flipped the state House, gaining at least 11 seats and securing a sizable majority. Democrats also won the state’s other major executive offices, including attorney general and secretary of state.
With a unified government, Democratic leaders will have a much clearer path to advancing their legislative priorities. After two years of divided government and a Republican controlled House, expect Democrats to move quickly on their agenda.
Minnesota
Democrats also secured unified control of Minnesota state government, with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar defeating Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth in the governor’s race. Democrats made gains in both legislative chambers, taking control of the state House and securing a majority in the Senate. Democratic candidates also won the attorney general and secretary of state races.
The outcome marks a significant change from the divided Legislature that constrained the party’s agenda in recent years. With unified control, Democrats will have a greater opportunity to advance policies that previously faced resistance, making Minnesota an important state to watch as the new legislative session begins. Issues involving labor, environmental regulation, and business requirements could receive renewed attention.
Nevada
Democrat Aaron Ford defeated Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, while Democrats retained control of the Senate and Assembly. The results restore a Democratic trifecta, with Democrats controlling the governor’s office and both legislative chambers.
The change removes the partisan divide between the governor and legislative majorities. Lombardo’s office reported 87 vetoes following the 2025 session, illustrating the importance of that relationship. Democratic lawmakers may revisit previously vetoed measures under Ford, making workplace requirements and other legislation affecting employers important issues for the industry to follow.
New Hampshire
Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte won reelection, but Democrats flipped the House and Senate, ending the Republican trifecta. The result creates divided government, with a Republican governor and Democratic legislative majorities.
At the time of writing, Democrats are projected to hold a veto-proof House majority but not a veto-proof Senate majority. Ayotte would therefore retain an important veto check. For landscape professionals, the new balance will shape whether proposals affecting pesticide access, workplace rules and operating costs can gain enough support to become law.
New York
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul won reelection, and Democrats retained the Senate and Assembly, preserving their Democratic trifecta. Based on races called as of November 8, Democrats regained a two-thirds Senate majority while maintaining their two-thirds Assembly majority. Additional races remained uncalled, leaving the final seat totals unsettled.
With two-thirds majorities in both chambers, Democratic lawmakers could have the votes to override gubernatorial vetoes if they remain united. That could give legislative leaders greater leverage in negotiations with Hochul over pesticide regulation, workplace standards and other proposals affecting landscape businesses’ operating costs.
Ohio
Ohio voters elected a Democrat governor for the first time in 20 years, with Dr. Amy Acton defeating Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. Republicans, however, retained control of both chambers of the state Legislature, creating a divided government that will likely limit the potential for sweeping legislative changes.
While Acton’s victory is a significant political development in a state that has trended increasingly Republican in recent election cycles, the Republican-controlled Legislature will remain an important check on the governor’s agenda. The coming session will provide an indication of how much common ground the new administration and legislative leadership can find on business and economic policy.
Pennsylvania
Democrats flipped the Senate to a 26–24 majority while retaining the House and the governor’s office through Josh Shapiro’s reelection. The results establish a Democratic trifecta, giving the party control of all three.
For lawn care providers, the Senate change could be particularly consequential for pesticide preemption. Legislation introduced during the 2025–26 session proposed allowing municipalities to restrict certain outdoor commercial pesticide applications on private property within qualifying districts. Similar proposals could receive renewed consideration under Democratic leadership in 2027. If enacted and followed by local ordinances, such changes could require companies to follow different application rules across their service areas.
Texas
Democratic Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin will preside over the Republican-majority Senate, adding another factor to the state’s divided government. Republican senators could seek changes to chamber rules that limit her authority, making the Senate’s organizational decisions important to watch. The Republican majority will remain a legislative check, and negotiations among the governor, House and Senate will shape the outlook for workforce, employment and business regulation.
Both parties will have a role in determining which proposals advance. Democratic House leaders and the new governor will need to negotiate with a Republican Senate on the budget and legislation affecting employers. Those negotiations will shape the outlook for workforce, employment and business regulation in the next session.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin was another major Democratic success story. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley defeated Republican Tom Tiffany in the gubernatorial race, while Democrats flipped both chambers of the state Legislature, securing an 18-15 majority in the Senate and a 53-46 majority in the Assembly. Democrats also won the attorney general and secretary of state races.
The results give Democrats unified control of Wisconsin state government for the first time since 2010. After years of Republican control of the Legislature, the change represents a major shift in the state’s political and policy environment. With control of the governor’s office and both legislative chambers, Democrats will have a much greater ability to set the legislative agenda and advance priorities that previously faced Republican opposition.
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