Justice Victory Could Tip Balance Towards Moderates

Channel 10 political analyst Lars Hafner argues that a victory for Charlies Justice in SD 16 could allow a coalition of moderates to dominate the state senate. At present, there are 14 Democrats and 26 Republicans in the state senate. However, there are 6 so-called "renegade Republicans" who could work with the Democrats to push for a moderate agenda in the senate. A victory by Justice would give the moderates a 21-19 majority in the senate.

The "renegades" are generally considered to be the Republicans who joined with the Democrats in opposing efforts to undermine the voter-passed class size amendment.