JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Republicans are expected to hold on to their majorities in the Missouri House and Senate, but the strength of their numbers could determine how much they can accomplish.
Half of the 34 Senate seats and all 163 House seats are up for election Tuesday.
It takes 18 Senate seats and 82 House seats to have a majority. But Republicans are shooting to retain a two-thirds majority of at least 23 Senate seats and 109 House seats in order to be able to override vetoes by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.
U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and other top Democratic officeholders poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into the state party to help finance this year's state legislative races. They're hoping Democrats can cut into the Republican supermajority.
