The Cook Political Report: June 13, 1984

With seven of the nation's governors either retiring or running for the U.S. Senate, most of the action in the Governor's races can be found in those seven states. In fact, five out of the eight most competitive races for Governor are in open seat races. This makes predictions on the net outcome of the thirteen governor's'races a very chancy proposition indeed. Of the two incumbent Governors facing tough re-election, both are Republican. Governors Allen Olson (ND) and John Spellman (WA) are in races judged as "Toss Ups," in the first survey of Governor's races by the National Political Review. Neither Olson nor Spellman are having tough races due to specific issues, scandals or ideology; their problems seem to lie with their general styles of governing. Opponents claim both are weak leaders, not in control of the state government or its problems.