Top clean energy wins from the midterm elections
Democrats secured clean energy momentum in the midterms, flipping state trifectas and utility commissions while voters approved ballot measures advancing climate goals and utility oversight.
Democrats expanded their control in key states, flipping Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and likely Arizona to trifectas—unified Democratic control of the legislature and governor’s office—by January. These states are positioned to advance ambitious clean energy policies, building on recent mandates like Michigan’s 100% clean energy target by 2040, which survived Republican repeal attempts earlier this year.
Georgia’s Public Service Commission flipped to a Democratic majority for the first time in decades, with voters electing Shelia Edwards and reelecting Peter Hubbard to the utility oversight board. The change hands control to Democrats on a commission that regulates utilities, a shift welcomed by the Solar Energy Industries Association, which backed the candidates.
Texas saw a Democratic victory in a Railroad Commission race, with Jon Rosenthal defeating Bo French amid controversy over the latter’s racist remarks. The commission oversees oil and gas, but the election outcome reflects broader political shifts in a state not traditionally aligned with clean energy priorities.
Voters in multiple states approved ballot measures to promote clean energy and utility accountability. Michigan barred utilities from bypassing campaign finance rules via political donations, while Oregon’s Eugene passed a corporate tax to fund climate projects. Colorado’s attempt to enshrine a right to natural gas in the state constitution appears to have failed.