Since Donald Trump took office, Democrats have flipped 26 state legislative seats, while Republicans have flipped zero

Over the weekend, Louisiana Democrat Chasity Verret Martinez and Texas Democrat Na’Cole Thompson racked up two more historic, blowout victories in districts that Trump won in 2024. 

Representative-elect Martinez defeated her Republican opponent in the Louisiana House District 60 race by nearly 24 points in a Trump +13 district — a massive Democratic overperformance of 37 points and the second overperformance for Democrats of more than 30 points in February alone. 

Leandor, Texas, mayor-elect Thompson pulled off a major upset victory, defeating two Republican-aligned opponents by over 20 points to avoid a runoff and win outright in a Trump +4 city. She will be the first-ever Black mayor of Leander. 

A reminder: Since Donald Trump took office, Democrats have flipped 26 state legislative seats while Republicans have flipped zero. Overall, Democrats have now won or overperformed in 244 of 274 key elections since Trump took office — a rate of nearly 90%. 

In response to Martinez and Thompson’s historic victories over the weekend, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement: 

“Across the country, Democrats continue to win or overperform in communities that Trump won in 2024. On Saturday night, Democrats notched two more historic victories, showing that even in the Deep South, Democrats are organizing and competing everywhere. Congratulations to Rep.-elect Martinez and Mayor-elect Thompson — two leaders who will put working families first and make life more affordable. Democrats will continue to compete and win everywhere as we head towards the midterms.”

Take a look at some of the coverage below: 

In Print: 

CBS News: Democrat Chasity Verret Martinez wins Louisiana state House special seat in district Trump won

[Fin Daniel Gómez and Caroline Linton, 2/8/26]

“Louisiana Democrat Chasity Verret Martinez defeated her Republican opponent by double digits in the special election Saturday night for a state House seat in a district President Trump won by 13 points in 2024.

“Martinez won 62% of the vote compared to 38% for her Republican opponent, Brad Daigle, according to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State. …

“Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin issued a statement Sunday, saying Martinez ‘ran an exceptional campaign focused on solutions to the issues that families care most about, from the rising costs of basic goods and essentials to the dozens of rural hospitals in Louisiana at-risk of closure, all thanks to Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, and Louisiana Republicans.’”

Washington Examiner: Democrats continue upset streak in Trump districts with Louisiana special election blowout

[David Zimmermann, 2/8/26]

“The Democratic Party is maintaining its winning streak in some state-level legislative districts won by President Donald Trump in 2024, with the latest overwhelming Democratic victory coming in a local Louisiana special election.

“Democratic candidate Chasity Verret Martinez handily defeated Republican opponent Brad Daigle by 24 points on Saturday after Trump last won the Louisiana House District 60 by 13 points. Martinez’s win represents a 37-point shift to the left. …

“Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin personally boasted about the outcome of that particular election.

“‘It’s clear as day that this disastrous Republican agenda is hurting working families in Texas and across the country, which is why voters in red, blue, and purple districts are putting their faith in candidates like Taylor Rehmet,’ Martin said. ‘This victory is a warning sign to Republicans across the country. In a Trump +17 district, Republicans had to go all out and still lost this race.’”

Newsweek: Democrat Wins Election ‘Comfortably’ in Big Donald Trump District

[Billal Rahman, 2/8/26]

“Democrat Chastity Verret Martinez has won the special election for Louisiana House District 60, defeating Republican challenger Brad Daigle by a wide margin in a district that supported President Donald Trump in 2024. …

“Martinez campaigned on a platform focused on affordable insurance, stronger local infrastructure, and expanded access to health care, including mental health and substance-abuse services. She also focused on government transparency, support for public education, and advocacy for working families. A longtime community advocate, Martinez pointed to her record of grassroots engagement, including volunteering with local food pantries and assisting families in need, as central to her approach in representing District 60.”

The Downballot: Democrats resoundingly defend red district in Louisiana, denying GOP its first pickup

[David Nir, 2/7/26]

“Democrats successfully defended a conservative seat in rural Louisiana on Saturday night, as Chasity Martinez defeated Republican Brad Daigle by a dominant 62-38 margin—a massive 37-point overperformance compared to the 2024 presidential result.

“According to calculations by The Downballot, Donald Trump carried the 60th by a 56-43 margin in 2024, giving the GOP a real opening. …

“But Martinez, a member of the Iberville Parish Council, emphasized issues that have resonated for Democrats running on similarly difficult turf: affordability and public education. She also criticized a lack of responsiveness from state officials to the difficult conditions faced by many residents. …

“Since Trump returned to the White House, Democrats have picked up eight Republican-controlled districts through special elections, as well as 18 seats in New Jersey and Virginia during those states’ regularly scheduled contests last November. Republicans have flipped none.”

On Social: 

@MeidasTouch: NEWS: Democrat Chasity Martinez has won the Louisiana HD-60 special election, defeating Republican Brad Daigle and holding the seat.

Martinez won 63%–37%. Trump carried the district by 13 points in 2024.

Another major Democratic overperformance.

@joncoopertweets: BOOM! Louisiana Democrat Chasity Verret Martinez defeated her Republican opponent by double digits in the special election for a state House seat in a district Trump won by 13 points in 2024.

Martinez won 62% of the vote compared to 38% for her Republican opponent.

@NoLieWithBTC: Breaking: Democrat Chasity Martinez just won a Louisiana district in a massive landslide victory.

Trump won this district by 13 points.

@ThePoliticalHQ: 🚨Leander, TX Mayoral Election🚨

🔵 Na’Cole Thompson – 57.1% ✅

🔴 Mike Sanders – 25.9%

🔴 Kathryn Pantalion-Parker – 16.9%

100% of expected votes in

(Leander, TX was Trump +4 in the 2024 Presidential Election)

@VoteHub: LAST NIGHT — Leander, TX Mayoral Election.

🔵 Na’Cole Thompson (D) – 3,372 (57.1%)

🔴 Mike Sanders (R) – 1,531 (25.9%)

🔴 Kathryn Pantalion-Parker (R) – 1,001 (16.9%)

Thompson is elected mayor of the Trump+4 town in suburban Texas.

@allenanalysis: 🚨 Leander, TX (Trump +4) Mayoral Results — FINAL

🔵 Na’Cole Thompson: 57.1% ✅

🔴 Mike Sanders: 25.9%

🔴 Kathryn Pantalion-Parker: 16.9%

100% reporting.

In a GOP-leaning city, voters just delivered a Dem landslide.

Pay attention.

@DemocraticWins: BREAKING: In a stunning upset, Democrat Na’Cole Thompson just won Leander, Texas’ Mayoral Election. Another Democratic victory in a Trump won seat. Let’s go.