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Arkansas Democrats Lose Majority in State House

1 min read

LITTLE ROCK — 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 50-48-1 edge over Democrats and the Green Party in the state House. One race is yet to be decided, but the Democrats don’t have a candidate in it.

It takes 51 votes to pass a bill out of the House. The GOP can take control of the chamber if it wins a remaining seat in northwestern Arkansas where some votes remain uncounted.

Tuesday night, Republicans gained a state Senate majority for the first time since Reconstruction and hold a 21-13 edge, with one race undecided.

Democrats had controlled both chambers since the post-Civil War period ended in 1874.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, broadcast or distributed.)

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