The States Project

Right now, state legislatures are the only place where we can reimagine a better future for all Americans.

Help fuel this work.

Our States - The States Project Power our ability to select and invest in majority-making districts that can help build and defend governing power for state lawmakers committed to safeguarding our democracy, protecting personal free...

With a rightwing trifecta at the federal level, state legislatures are our strongest line of defense.

That’s why we’re already on-the-ground in states where we can help win or defend governing power in 2026.
statesproject.org/our-states/

We believe that state legislatures are the strongest force for change in this country. 💪🇺🇸

Virginia House passes redistricting measure Virginia is one step closer to putting a major redistricting question before voters.

Winning governing trifectas means having the chance to preserve competitive elections by drawing maps that can ensure that voters will choose the next congressional House majority and have a say in our democracy.

www.wvva.com/2026/02/10/v...

Take a deep breath & keep flipping state legislatures.

Trump wants to ‘nationalize the voting,’ seeking to grab states’ power Trump, who continues to falsely claim that he won the 2020 election, has baselessly alleged widespread fraud. The Senate’s Republican leader says he does not favor federalizing elections.

State lawmakers have the constitutional authority to keep elections competitive & secure.

That’s why we’re doubling down on our mission to win and defend governing power in state legislatures everywhere it is on the line. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

As Minnesota Legislative session nears, lawmakers ready response to ICE Minnesota DFLers are considering laws similar to ones that passed in other blue states. But they are still likely to see legal (and Republican) scrutiny.

Minnesota lawmakers are returning to session ready to introduce policies that could protect Minnesotans from federal abuses. Without a governing trifecta, they don't have the power to pass them — but we can and must change that this November.

www.minnpost.com/state-govern...

As Minneapolis Rages, Legislators Move to Restrict ICE in Their States

State lawmakers can take action to fight federal abuses of power like what we've seen unfold in Minnesota — but only if they have governing power they need to pass policy. We must build majorities in every state we can this November. Join us. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/u...

Trump: ‘We shouldn’t even have an election’ Read more here.

The Constitution gives state lawmakers, not the president, the power to set election rules. That means the *state lawmakers* we build power for in the states this November will be on the frontlines of ensuring voters select the next president.
www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...

More women than ever will serve in Virginia's 2026 General Assembly It's almost entirely due to Democratic women flipping House seats previously held by men.

Our investment didn’t just expand the VA House majority in November — it changed who is at the decision table, with more women serving in the legislature than ever before. State lawmakers who are more representative of the diversity of their state? That’s real change. 💪 www.axios.com/local/richmo...

Our 2025 Impact - The States Project OUR 2025 IMPACT: BY THE NUMBERS In 2025, we invested a historic $7M in Virginia to flip an astounding thirteen seats in the House of Delegates. As the top national donor in the state, our investment h...

TSP’s $7 million investment helped expand the balance of power in the Virginia House from a one-seat margin to a fourteen-seat majority—the largest majority since 1987.

Learn more about our impact in 2025:
statesproject.org/2025-impact/

Trump is trying to change how the midterm elections are conducted Many of these endeavors go far beyond typical political persuasion, challenging long-established democratic norms.

Trump is pulling on every lever at his disposal to rig elections in his favor, but state lawmakers can block rightwing power grabs and protect the voice of voters. THIS is why building governing power in state legislatures matters now more than ever. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Lower costs. Fair prices. Affordable childcare. Arizona state lawmakers in the minority are showing up to this legislative session with a policy agenda that addresses the issues that matter most — and showing what's possible if we build new majorities this November. www.azcentral.com/story/news/p...

If you want to fix our country, work with us in the states.

No one should have to choose between their paychecks, their own health, or caring for their loved ones.

State lawmakers have the power to ensure all workers have livable wages and paid sick and family leave.

Our work in Virginia this year didn’t just defend the House majority — we helped expand it by 13 seats. One of the biggest forces behind this victory? Women. 💅

Our 2025 Impact - The States Project OUR 2025 IMPACT: BY THE NUMBERS In 2025, we invested a historic $7M in Virginia to flip an astounding thirteen seats in the House of Delegates. As the top national donor in the state, our investment h...

You can read more about the outcomes our work made possible here. And if you were one of the thousands of people who chose to take action with us, even when confronted with headline after heavy headline, thank you. We couldn’t do this work without you. statesproject.org/2025-impact/

And those lawmakers we helped elect are already considering how to lower costs, protect personal freedoms, and defend voters’ voices before they head into session next month.

In 12 of those districts, candidates we fueled won by 55% or less of the vote. These narrow margins, powered by our strategy and the evidence-based tactics our community funded, made the difference between a 51- and a 64-seat majority!

With a new governor elected, Virginia has a trifecta that can block the worst of Trump’s policies and advance policies that improve lives. Our work together didn’t just defend the House majority — we helped expand it by 13 seats.

As we prepare for 2026, which will be another defining year in the fight to defend our democracy, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we accomplished together this year. 🧵

Gavin Newsom signed nearly 800 bills this year. Here's what's in them — and what they mean for 2028 The massive pile of legislation that came across the California governor's desk in 2025 could help form the basis of a future national platform.

“We’ve seen a trend of blue states delivering on the needs of constituents. That is the opportunity: How do you do the popular things that are also salient & resonate with what people are feeling right now.”

More from our own Mandara Meyers in @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...

TAKE ACTION - The States Project Ready to work with us in the states? Together we can build governing power for state lawmakers committed to improving lives.

Did you know a state legislative campaign usually costs less than 3% of a competitive U.S. Senate race?

That means your donations go further in state legislative races. 👀⬇️
hubs.ly/Q03MDr-l0

State legislatures are where we have the power to build a better future for all Americans.

Inside the States Project with Daniel Squadron and Melissa Walker

“Virginia became the 16th Democratic trifecta.

And that has a lot of power to not only do things to improve Virginians' lives, but also to impact the entire country." - Melissa Walker, Principal Strategist

More from Melissa & Daniel Squadron on Here’s the Thing: open.spotify.com/episode/78i1...

State Lawmakers Aren’t Waiting for Congress to Get Its Act Together This article is part of TPM Cafe, TPM’s home for opinion and...

As the federal government fails millions of Americans, state lawmakers are taking action to improve lives.

talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/state-l...

CT strengthens residents' data protections amid federal requests Federal officials approached CT's third-party vendor, asking for SNAP recipients' personal information. State officials took it as a warning.

An effective government defends people’s right to privacy. State lawmakers can use their governing power to protect their constituents against federal overreach.

ctmirror.org/2025/11/28/c...

State legislatures: A Wicked good way to win political power - The States Project “Some things I cannot change, but ’til I try I’ll never know.” — ELPHABA IN WICKED Winnie Holzman is best known for writing the script of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Wicked, and for co-wri...

The woman who wrote Wicked is one of the thousands of people who helps power our work to build governing power in state legislatures. Read our full interview with Winnie Holzman about why this work gives her hope, even in times like these: statesproject.org/state-legisl...

Supreme Court gives Texas OK to use House map drawn to boost GOP The decision bolsters Trump’s attempt to tilt the playing field toward Republicans before the midterms.

This decision makes it clear that we can't trust a rightwing majority SCOTUS to protect voters.

But we can build governing power for state lawmakers who will defend the voices of voters in elections.

That's why we MUST win in the states.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...

Seven Voting Laws Every Blue State Should Enact Right Now Read more here.

From simplifying vote-by-mail to reducing lines at voting locations, state lawmakers have the power to protect voters' voices in our elections and block rightwing attacks on our democracy.
www.democracydocket.com/opinion/seve...