Results are still coming in for today’s four special state house elections in Missouri … but returns so far provide further evidence of energy continuing for a Blue Wave in 2018. These four seats represent Republican held seats in districts that mainly went strong for Trump in 2018.
The results so far, updated by the MO Secretary of State …
First headline: Democrats flip #MO97 with Democrat Mike Revis winning 52% - 48% in a district that went for Trump in 2016 by 61% - 33%.
The two seats retained so far by Republicans had notable swings toward the Democrats ...
In #MO129, a very deep red district, Republican Jeff Knight defeated Democrat Ronna Ford 69% - 31% … but … In the 2016 election, Trump won 80% - 16% over Clinton.
In #MO39, Republican Peggy McGaugh won 64% - 36%. In 2016, Trump beat Clinton by 71% - 24%.
Update #3: Republicans barely hold onto #HD144 with a close 52-47% win (300 votes). Trump won this district with almost 78% of the vote. In other words, a swing of over 50 points to Dems.
Final net swings compared to the 2016 presidential results:
#HD97: +31% net swing towards Dem [and Dem win!]
#HD39: +19%
#HD129: +25%
#HD144: +53%
Updates #1 and #2: It’s 10:28pm EST and this race in a deep red district is still not decided ...
The only as-yet uncalled race now — #HD144 — is super close. With 30/44 precincts reporting, the Democrat Jim Scaggs leads by a thin 0.2% with 50.803% - 49.197%. The precinct still out is home to the Republican candidate in this race.