For the first time in two decades, state Democrats have a chance to obtain the missing piece of a party trifecta: majority in the Assembly.

The Democrats already have control of the Senate, which they are expected to maintain, and Gov. Jim Doyle will remain in office at least until the next gubernatorial election in 2010.

Republicans currently have a 51 to 47 majority over Democrats in the Assembly.

Rep. Joe Parisi, D-Madison, is cautiously optimistic the Democrats will garner the majority in the Assembly, adding this will only occur if people turn out to vote.

Parisi also discussed the party’s plans for action after potentially winning the majority, which include investing in the Wisconsin higher education system.

“We need to make it possible for everyone who wants to attend college to be able to,” Parisi said. “We have to look at it as an investment in our young people and in our state because the university is the economic engine that drives our state.”

Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, shared Parisi’s optimism and said the race would be very close. Black said if the Democrats do gain majority, he would become chair of the Natural Resources Committee, which would take action against global warming and help create green jobs.

“Economically, we plan to create tens of thousands of new jobs by investing in green technology, specifically renewable energy and energy conservation,” Black said.

Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, did not think the Democrats would succeed, saying the Republicans had better quality candidates and incumbents. Suder added he thought the Republicans would actually gain more seats in the Assembly.

Democratic dominance would have a detrimental effect on the state of Wisconsin and its residents, Suder said.

“[For the Democrats] to have total control … would be an absolute disaster for taxpayers and businesses,” Suder said. “I thoroughly believe the state would suffer severely economically.”

Suder said even if the Democrats gained the majority, the remaining Republican representatives would still do everything in their power to stand up to Democrats, using various parliamentary procedures like filibustering.

Suder dismissed the threat posed by third-party groups, such as the state teacher’s union, that are spending massive amounts of money on ads to discredit the Republican Party.

Kirsten Kukowski, communications director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said third-party spending is a concern, but said she thinks the Republicans have the resources and candidates to overcome negative ads and retain their majority in the Assembly.

“Time will tell, but we feel we’re doing everything right, and we have the resources and the grounding to keep the Assembly,” Kukowski said.