How "blue" is Massachusetts?

The Democratic National Convention is upon us, polarizing many across party lines. Though some states are famously liberal, stereotypes can be deceiving and don’t always align with the facts. For example, Massachusetts has a strong liberal reputation, but just how much influence does the state’s ideological leaning have on government? Let’s find out using Truth in Accounting’s State Data Lab.

Ballotpedia identifies a 'trifecta' when one major party holds the governorship, has a majority in the state senate, and a majority in the state house. From 1992-2013, Massachusetts experienced seven democratic trifectas, showing a strong connection between the state’s ideological leanings and Massachusetts government. Massachusetts’ neighboring states also all experienced democratic trifectas in the same timeframe--Vermont also reported seven, followed by New Hampshire with four, Rhode Island and Connecticut with three each, and New York with two. The nationwide average for democratic trifectas between 1992-2013 was about four or five.

Of course, stereotypes aren’t always completely accurate, so let’s take a look at republican trifecta occurrences in the region. New Hampshire reported seven republican trifectas, above the national average of 5-6. But for Massachusetts and the rest of its neighbors, there wasn’t a single republican trifecta from 1992-2013, cementing the ideological stronghold of the region.

Interested in learning more about Massachusetts’ political climate? Check out Truth in Accounting’s Financial State of Massachusetts here.