Democrats celebrated turning Congress blue after storming to victory in the 2026 midterm elections . But as the dust began to settle, another result came into view.

The party made enormous gains in state legislatures across the country, handing them power not seen in some parts of the nation for decades.

Democrats have formed trifectas in Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, meaning that come January, the party will control the governor’s office and both state legislative chambers. In Arizona, the first trifecta in 60 years was described by campaigners as a “political earthquake.”

By taking control of state legislatures, the party can now have a huge influence on everyday life for Americans. State legislatures can set school curriculums, decide which infrastructure projects to tackle, ban abortion, among a host of other changes.…