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State legislative incumbents without general election challengers, 2021

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Last updated on June 5, 2025
2021 State Legislative Competitiveness
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There were 220 state legislative seats up for election on November 2, 2021, in two states. Overall, 195 incumbents ran in the general election. Of that total, 11 incumbents were uncontested, representing 3% of all incumbents who ran in the general election. There were 35 uncontested incumbents in 2017.

A general election is uncontested when there are no candidates other than the incumbent running. Learn more about the terms and methodologies used in this analysis.

Ballotpedia uses the number and percentage of incumbents in uncontested general elections to help determine the overall competitiveness of an election cycle. A larger number of uncontested general elections indicates less competitiveness because there are fewer opportunities for voters to elect a non-incumbent to office. A smaller number indicates more of those opportunities.

In 2021:

  • There were four Democratic incumbents in uncontested general elections, representing 3% of all Democratic incumbents who ran in the general election, an 84% decrease from 2017.
  • There were seven Republican incumbents in uncontested general elections, representing 9% of all Republican incumbents who ran in the general election, a 30% decrease from 2017.
  • The total number of incumbents in uncontested general elections—11—was 24 fewer and a 69% decrease from 2017.



    • State legislative incumbents without general election challengers, 2021
    Chamber Seats
    Democratic Republican Total[1]
    Filed Cont. % Filed Cont. % Filed Cont. %
    House 180 96 2 2.1% 63 7 11.1% 159 9 5.7%
    Senate 40 24 2 8.3% 12 0 0.0% 36 2 5.6%
    Total 220 120 4 3.3% 75 7 9.3% 195 11 5.6%


    Click [show] on the table below to view incumbents without general election challengers statistics by state in 2021. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    Historical comparison

    The chart below shows a breakdown of incumbents in contested primaries from 2011 to 2021.


    Click [show] on the table below to view overall incumbents in contested primaries statistics by state from 2011 to 2021. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    By state

    Overview

    New Jersey

    There were 120 seats up for election in New Jersey. A total of 105 incumbents advanced to the general election: 70 Democrats and 35 Republicans. Of that total, three incumbents—three Democrats and no Republicans—had no general election challengers, representing 2.9% of incumbents on the general election ballot.

    In 2021

    Statistics from 2021 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    State legislative incumbents with no general election challengers in New Jersey, 2021
    Chamber Seats
    Democratic Republican Total[1]
    Incs. Uncont. % Incs. Uncont. % Incs. Uncont. %
    House 80 46 1 2.2% 23 0 0.0% 69 1 1.4%
    Senate 40 24 2 8.3% 12 0 0.0% 36 2 5.6%
    Total 120 70 3 4.3% 35 0 0.0% 105 3 2.9%

    2011-2021

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    State legislative incumbents in contested primaries in New Jersey, 2011-2021
    Year Seats
    Democratic Republican Total[1]
    Incs. Uncont. % Incs. Uncont. % Incs. Uncont. %
    2011 120 64 1 1.6% 41 1 2.4% 105 2 1.9%
    2013 120 67 1 1.5% 46 0 0.0% 113 1 0.9%
    2015 80 42 0 0.0% 30 1 3.3% 72 1 1.4%
    2017 120 72 2 2.8% 36 0 0.0% 108 2 1.9%
    2019 80 53 0 0.0% 22 0 0.0% 75 0 0.0%
    2021 120 70 3 4.3% 35 0 0.0% 105 3 2.9%


    See also:

    Virginia

    There were 100 seats up for election in Virginia. A total of 90 incumbents advanced to the general election: 50 Democrats and 40 Republicans. Of that total, eight incumbents—one Democrats and seven Republicans—had no general election challengers, representing 8.9% of incumbents on the general election ballot.

    In 2021

    Statistics from 2021 are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    State legislative incumbents with no general election challengers in Virginia, 2021
    Chamber Seats
    Democratic Republican Total[1]
    Incs. Uncont. % Incs. Uncont. % Incs. Uncont. %
    House 100 50 1 2.0% 40 7 17.5% 90 8 8.9%
    Senate Did not hold elections
    Total 100 50 1 2.0% 40 7 17.5% 90 8 8.9%

    2011-2021

    Historical statistics are shown below. Hover over column headings to learn more about their contents.

    State legislative incumbents in contested primaries in Virginia, 2011-2021
    Year Seats
    Democratic Republican Total[1]
    Incs. Uncont. % Incs. Uncont. % Incs. Uncont. %
    2011 140 54 22 40.7% 68 52 76.5% 123 74 60.2%
    2013 100 30 16 53.3% 58 28 48.3% 88 44 50.0%
    2015 140 44 25 56.8% 78 48 61.5% 122 73 59.8%
    2017 100 33 23 69.7% 60 10 16.7% 93 33 35.5%
    2019 140 62 33 53.2% 60 8 13.3% 122 41 33.6%
    2021 100 50 1 2.0% 40 7 17.5% 90 8 8.9%


    See also:

    Terms and definitions

    Incumbent

    See also: Incumbent

    Ballotpedia defines incumbency by chamber. Under this definition, if an incumbent in House District 1 filed for re-election in House District 2, they would still be counted as an incumbent due to their remaining in the same chamber even though they ran for a different seat. If an incumbent in House District 1 filed to run in Senate District 2, they would not be counted as an incumbent in the Senate race since they are coming from a different chamber.

    Ballotpedia uses the term re-elect to refer to any incumbent who is running in an election to retain their office, including incumbents who were originally appointed to their position.

    Uncontested general election

    See also: General election

    An uncontested general election is one where there is one candidate running, meaning the candidate will automatically win the election.

    Methodology

    Candidacy withdrawals

    See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2021 state government elections

    In order to have their names printed on election ballots, candidates must submit information prior to a filing deadline. Filing deadlines are the dates by which candidates must submit required paperwork to state election administrators.

    For major party candidates, filing deadlines always precede primaries. However, candidates may choose to withdraw before the primary or general takes place. Withdrawals include decisions to leave the race, disqualifications, and deaths. These withdrawals are either official or unofficial.

    An official withdrawal means the candidate withdrew before a specific date set in state law and their name was removed from the primary or general ballot. If an incumbent officially withdrew before the general election, they are not included in any of the totals of this analysis, unless they later re-entered the race as a minor party or independent candidate.

    An unofficial withdrawal means the candidate withdrew after a specific date set in state law, typically after ballots have been printed, meaning their name remains on the ballot even though they are not actively campaigning. If an incumbent unofficially withdrew, they are included in the totals of this analysis.

    See also

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Totals may include minor party or independent officeholders.
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