OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Democrats, who have taken routine beatings from the GOP over the last decade, unexpectedly snatched two state legislative seats from Republicans in special elections this week and are now hoping to carry momentum into grabbing bigger prizes in 2018, including congressional seats and the governor’s mansion.

Democratic candidates benefited from voter frustration over state budget problems and recent sex scandals that led GOP incumbents to resign.

“We’ve got a lot of energy right now,” said Anna Langthorn, the Oklahoma Democratic Party’s new 24-year-old leader. “I think it’s a good sign for the remaining special elections and for 2018.”

However, Republicans still hold a 3 to 1 advantage in legislative seats along with every statewide elected office, both U.S. Senate seats and all five U.S. House seats.

Tuesday night’s Democratic victories happened in districts in Oklahoma City and Tulsa with a mix of urban and suburban precincts, the kind of places where Democrats have made pickups in recent years.  The larger cities have increasing populations of minorities and young professionals, who are more likely to vote Democratic. The Hispanic population in Oklahoma County, where Oklahoma City is located, grew 13.5 percent from 2010 and 2015.