Democrats are fired up. Republicans are fleeing the fight.

Democrats have candidates competing for 168 of the 170 state House and Senate seats. Republicans fielded candidates in only 137 races.

It’s clear which party has energy and enthusiasm going into 2024.

When Anderson Clayton was elected state Democratic chair last February, she pledged to contest every race. She and her team at headquarters and across the state were 98.8% successful.

They no doubt wanted 100%. But they sure beat the Republicans’ 80%.

Republicans may say, “This doesn’t matter, because we gerrymandered the districts to keep control.”

Yep, and your gerrymandering will be a big issue in those 168 districts next year.

The explanation for the filing gap is simple.

Democrats are angry: about the abortion ban, school budget cuts and Republicans’ attacks on voting rights, vulnerable teenagers and women.

And they’re mad about the gerrymandering.

Republicans are afraid – or ashamed – to be on a Trump-Mark Robinson-Dan Bishop-MAGA ticket.

They should be.