Democrats Grab Control of Two Chambers--Earn Tie in a Third.

• Position: On First Reading - Brief Article

If preliminary, and unofficial, results hold, legislative party control tilts slightly back to the Democrats after November's legislative races in New Jersey, Virginia and Washington. Going into the off year elections, legislative control stood at 18 states for the GOP, 16 for the Democrats and 15 split

between the two parties. When 2002 sessions convene, it appears the parties will be dead even when it comes to controlling legislatures--17 for the Republicans, 17 for the Democrats and 15 split.

New Jersey Democrats capitalized on a favorable redistricting plan and a winning candidate at the top of the ticket to wrest control of the state Assembly from the GOP for the first time in nearly a decade. And the New Jersey Senate emerged from Election Day tied 20-20, bringing the total of tied legislative chambers to three. The Maine and Arizona Senates are also evenly split.

One tied chamber shifted to the Democratic column after two special elections for Washington House seats. For the past three years that chamber has functioned under a 40-49 tie. Apparent special election victories in two districts give the Democrats control, 50-48. But these numbers should be taken with a bit of caution. Washington...