To describe the 2009/2010 gubernatorial election cycle as volatile seems inadequate. There were 39 races; two in 2009 and 37 in 2010. Of these seats, 25 were open, with Democrats defending 13 and Republicans seeking to hold on to 12. Twenty of the 25 seats were open because of term limits.
The result was a new crop of Governors. These 39 races produced 27 first-term Governors, just over half of the nation’s 50 Governors. And, this is the class that is up for re-election in 2013 and 2014. This cycle, Republicans have 24 seats up, compared to 13 for Democrats. The nation’s only independent Governor – Lincoln Chafee in Rhode Island – will also face voters next year.
Because there were so many open seats due to term limits in 2009/2010, there will be significantly fewer open seats this cycle. Democrats have two seats open due to term limits – Arkansas and Maryland. Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick has decided not to seek a third term in Massachusetts. Republicans are looking at three seats that will be open because of
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