The GOP now controls the White House, Senate, House, a Supreme Court pick, and most governorships and state houses

(Image credit: Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

published 9 November 2016

Donald Trump wasn't the only big winner in the early hours of Wednesday morning. For only the second time since 1929, the Republican Party will control the House, Senate, the White House, most governorships and state houses, and will decide a Supreme Court pick.

The 109th United States Congress, from 2005 to 2007, also saw a Republican majority in the House and the Senate, with President George W. Bush in the White House. During those years, Bush also appointed conservative Justice John Roberts, who replaced Justice William Rehnquist after his death in 2005.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

The 2018 midterm elections are much more difficult for Democrats than Republicans. In the Senate, Democrats are expected to defend anywhere from 23 to 25 seats, while Republicans will likely have to defend just eight.Further down the ballot, 2010 redistricting by Republican-dominated state legislatures has made it very difficult for Democrats to gain a foothold in the House and in state chambers. They'll have to win back those chambers by 2020 in order to redraw lines in their favor. [The Washington Post]

In that sense, at least, the last time the Republican Party was as powerful as it will be come January was a stretch of years between 1921 and 1929. During that time, three Supreme Court justices were appointed. Additionally, The Washington Post notes, "It's almost a footnote that Republicans tied a 94-year-old record of control of governor's mansions Tuesday night; they now hold 34 of them. (Though Democrats will have a chance to chip away at that in 2018 when at least 14 Republican governors' mansions open up thanks to term limits.)"

Explore More

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.

Subscribe to The Week

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox