On November 23, USA Today published an article listing the top five best- and worst-run states. In the article, the authors say that, “While each state is different, the best-run states share certain characteristics, as do the worst run.” But they completely omit probably the most important characteristic in how well a state is run: that is, who is running the state. A revealing pattern arises when you look at the party affiliation of the governor and legislatures running the best- and worst-run states.
The Five Best-Run States
1. North Dakota:
- Governor – Republican
- Senate – Large Republican majority
- House or Representatives – Large Republican majority
2. Wyoming:
- Governor – Republican
- Senate – Large Republican majority
- House or Representatives – Large Republican majority
3. Iowa:
- Governor – Republican
- Senate – Slight Democrat majority
- House or Representatives – Slight Republican majority
4. Nebraska:
- Governor – Republican
- Legislature (unicameral and nonpartisan) – the vast majority of its members are Republicans
5. Utah:
- Governor – Republican
- Senate – Large Republican majority
- House or Representatives – Large Republican majority
The Five Worst-Run States
46. Nevada:
- Governor – Republican
- Senate – Slight Democrat majority
- Assembly – Large Democrat majority
47. Rhode Island:
- Governor – Democrat
- Senate – Large Democrat majority
- House or Representatives – Large Democrat majority
48. Illinois:
- Governor – Democrat
- Senate – Large Democrat majority
- House or Representatives – Large Democrat majority
49. New Mexico:
- Governor – Democrat
- Senate – Large Democrat majority
- House or Representatives – Democrat majority
50. California:
- Governor – Democrat
- Senate – Large Democrat majority
- Assembly – Large Democrat majority
