LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Democrats will not have a majority of seats in the state House next January, for the first time since Reconstruction.
With results counted through early Wednesday, Republicans hold a 49-48-1 edge over Democrats and the Green Party in the state House. Two races are yet to be decided, but the Democrats have a candidate in only one of them, meaning they can only attain 49 seats in the lower chamber of the Legislature.
It takes 51 votes to pass a bill out of the House.
Republicans Tuesday night gained a state Senate majority for the first time since Reconstruction and hold a 21-13 edge with votes yet to be tallied in one race.
Democrats had controlled both chambers since the post-Civil War period ended in 1874.
©2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.