By January 31, all but six states will have started their 2025 state legislative sessions. It will again be a busy year for the nation’s 7,386 state lawmakers tackling important issues such as state budgets, affordable housing, workforce shortages, education reforms, tax cuts and incentives, and many more. The National Conference of State Legislatures and Governing magazine have each identified their top trending state policy topics for 2025.

Below is a short summary of the 2024 state election results, and how landscape architects can be involved in state policy in 2025.  

2024 Gubernatorial Elections 

The 11 gubernatorial races were relatively uncompetitive this year. Republicans won eight governorships, and Democrats won three governorships. Democrats retained the governorships in Delaware, North Carolina, and Washington, and Republicans retained the governorships in Indiana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Missouri, Montana, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia. For 2025, there are 27 Republican governors and 23 Democratic governors, the same as 2024. 

2025 State Legislative Elections 

There were nearly 6,000 state legislative seats up for election in November, and about a third of them were uncontested. Another third were in safe, uncompetitive districts. This meant only a handful of state legislative chambers were at risk of flipping political control. Two state legislative chambers, the Michigan and Minnesota state Houses, changed party control. Republicans won control of the Michigan House from Democrats, and Minnesota’s flipped from Democratic control to a tie. 

Additionally, a state “trifecta,” is when one party holds the majority in both Chambers and the Governor’s office. In this election Republicans broke up Democratic trifectas in Michigan and Minnesota, while retaining their trifecta in New Hampshire. In total, in 2025 there are now 38 states under one-party control - Republicans hold 23 states and Democrats hold 15, down from 17 before the election. 

Use Your Voice! 

• There are 7,386 state legislators in the 50 states. Use this site to find information about your state and federal representatives.  
• Make sure you are signed-up to receive ASLA’s iAdvocate alerts, and be sure to “take action” on issues important to landscape architects and the profession when asked. 
• Of the 7,386 state legislators, 1,454 were newly elected in 2024. All new and existing legislators need to hear about the great work of landscape architects. ASLA’s Advocacy FAQ webpage (member only access) provides valuable information and tips on meeting with legislators and local, state, and federal policymakers. 
• ASLA members can also access ASLA’s state legislative bill tracking service and ASLA’s public policies.  

If you have additional questions about becoming more involved in state advocacy, contact your ASLA Chapter or the ASLA Government Affairs team at governmentaffairs@asla.org.