There were 1,994 contested state legislative primaries in 2026. That was 18% of the 11,164 possible primaries across the 46 states with state legislative elections this year.
The total number of contested primaries in 2026—1,994—was 340 fewer and a 15% decrease from the previous midterm cycle in 2022.
Democrats had 876 primaries, representing 16% of all possible Democratic primaries and a 7% increase from 821 in 2022. The average number of contested Democratic primaries each even year since 2010 was 1,048.
Republicans had 1,009 primaries, representing 19% of all possible Republican primaries and a 27% decrease from 1,387 in 2022.
The 18% contested primaries matched the average of 18% from 2010 to 2024. Looking only at midterm years since 2010, this year’s 18% is the second-smallest. In 2014, 16% of primaries were contested.
Across the 46 states with state legislative elections this year, California saw the largest share of contested primaries with 51%. Connecticut saw the smallest with 3%.
