This year’s gubernatorial contests have taken a back seat to the all-consuming presidential contest and the battle for the majority of the U.S. Senate. That doesn’t mean, though, that there aren’t some truly competitive and interesting races out there.
Only 11 states hold Governors races in the presidential year. This year, there are eight Democratic-held seats on the ballot, compared to just three seats that are held by Republicans. With three weeks until the election, Republicans will have no trouble holding their own seats. Govs. Jack Dalrymple in North Dakota and Gary Herbert in Utah will win re-election easily. Republicans also have a healthy advantage in the open seat in Indiana where Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Pence enjoys a double-digit lead over former Democratic state House Speaker John Gregg.
Democrats will easily hold on to their seats in Delaware and Vermont, where Govs. Jack Markell and Peter Shumlin are running for re-election, respectively. Democratic incumbents also have a narrower advantage in Missouri where Gov. Jay Nixon is seeking a second term, and in West Virginia where Gov. Earl Ray
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The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the US House of Representatives, US Senate, Governors and President as well as American political trends.
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