Tonight brought not only major gains in the House, Senate and Governorships but also in state legislatures all around the country. The DLCC has the details (from release).

Democrats have had a net gain of nine chambers so far for the 2006 mid-cycle elections, with more races and chambers to be called.

"The DLCC is building on the growth we've had since 2003," says Michael Davies, Executive Director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. "And laying the foundation for long-term Democratic success."

Democrats won new majorities in the Indiana House, New Hampshire House and Senate, Iowa House and Senate, the Minnesota House, the Michigan House, the Wisconsin Senate, and the Oregon House.

Democrats have kept majorities in targeted chambers including the North Carolina House, the Tennessee House, Minnesota Senate, Kentucky House, the Colorado House and Senate, the Maine House and Senate, and the Washington House and Senate.  

Democrats have gained ground in the Tennessee Senate, Ohio House, Pennsylvania House, and the North Dakota House and Senate.

"Democrats hold the majority of state legislative chambers for the first time since 2000 and hold a majority of states for the first time since 1994." says Michael Davies.  "The DLCC continues our winning streak to become the winningest campaign committee in politics, with net gains in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, succeeding in both good and bad environments.  Winning at the state legislative level has the longest impact, because of redistricting and growing the "farm team" of future leaders."

Pre-election Democrats controlled 47 chambers to the Republicans 49, with 2 chambers tied.  So far, Democrats have 51 chambers to the Republicans 31, with the remainder to be called.

These numbers represent a rather stunning rebuke of both the Republican Party and Republican ideology. What's more, these changes immediately give the Democrats the upper hand in the battle for control over the redistricting process in four years as well as provide incubators for the progressive policies that will help make the Democratic Party a sustaining majority in years to come. Big, big night all around.