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