GOVERNORS Gubernatorial Elections, Campaign Costs and Winning Governors of 20141 By Thad Beyle and Jennifer M. Jensen There were many issues facing governors in 2014. Even as the stock market rebounded and state budgets grew at a moderate pace, unemployment and underemployment remained high. Public discontent with government has been indiscriminate in its focus, levied at not only politicians in Washington, but also those in state capitals. This led to political fallout from voters as they vented their anger and frustration on elected leaders on Election Day.

Thirty-six states had gubernatorial elections in An eighth state, Hawaii, had an open-seat general 2014. Midway through a presidential term is the election when incumbent Gov. Neil Abercrombie quadrennial bumper crop of political campaigns. lost in the Democratic primary election. Of these eight states, Hawaii and Rhode Island Open Seat Races saw a Democratic candidate in 2014 succeed a Dem­ Seven states had open seat gubernatorial primaries ocratic predecessor. Four states saw Republicans in 2014. Four of these states—, Arkansas, maintain control of the governorship—Arizona, and Nebraska—had governors facing Arkansas, Nebraska and Texas. term limits. Three states had incumbent governors Only two states with an open gubernatorial seat who were not term limited and did not run for saw a partisan change with the 2014 election. Both re-election. Maryland and —each typically con­ One incumbent governor who opted against a sidered solidly Democratic states in presidential re-election campaign was Deval Patrick of Mas­ elections—had a Republican candidate replace an sachusetts. Patrick, a Democrat, had highs and outgoing Democrat. Massachusetts saw a very lows during his eight years in office, but com­ tight race between Republican businessman Charlie pleted his second gubernatorial term with strong Baker and state Attorney General Martha Coakley. approval ratings and would have been competi­ Baker bested Coakley by approximately 40,000 tive for a third term. While the former governor votes out of more than 2.1 million votes cast. This was might be considering a 2016 presidential bid, Coakley’s second time losing a statewide election Patrick declared in 2013 that he would not be a that many had predicted she would win. In 2010, candidate in the next presidential election. Some she was the Democratic candidate in the special pundits say the former U.S. assistant attorney election to fill the late Ted Kennedy’s seat in the general might be positioning himself for the U.S. U.S. Senate, but lost to Scott Brown in an upset. In attorney general post should a fellow Democrat Maryland, Republican businessman Larry Hogan win the White House. won the seat previously held by Martin O’Malley. Another governor who declined to run, Rhode Island Gov. , had served in the U.S. Incumbent Governors Seeking Re-election Senate as a Republican and served his first guber­ Incumbent governors sought to win a new term in natorial term as an Independent, ultimately joining 29 states and won in 25 states. Democratic incum­ the Democratic Party in 2013, more than halfway bents sought another term in 10 states and won in through his term as governor. Lacking both popu­ eight states2 while two incumbents lost in Hawaii larity and party support, Chafee declined to run and Illinois. Republican incumbents sought another for a second term. Finally, Texas Republican Rick term in 19 states and won in 17 states.3 Perry announced in July 2013 that he would not The party candidates winning these 36 races were run for re-election in 2014. Perry took office in 24 Republicans (66.7 percent),4 11 Democrats (30.6 December 2000, assuming the governorship when percent)5 and one Independent (2.8 percent).6 Demo­ then-governor George W. Bush resigned in advance crats won six of the nine races in the Northeast, while of becoming president of the ; he was the Republicans won only three. However, Repub­ subsequently elected to full gubernatorial terms in licans dominated the remaining regions, winning 2002, 2006 and 2010. seven in both the South and in the Midwest.

154 The Book of the States 2015 GOVERNORS

Table A: Gubernatorial Elections: 1970–2014

Number of incumbent governors Democratic Lost winner Eligible to run Actually ran Won Number In general Year of races Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent In primary election 1970 35 22 63% 29 83% 24 83% 16 64% 8 36% 1 (a) 7 (b) 1971 3 3 100 0 ...... 1972 18 11 61 15 83 11 73 7 64 4 36 2 (c) 2 (d) 1973 2 1 50 1 50 1 100 ...... 1 100 1 (e) . . . 1974 35 27 (f) 77 29 83 22 76 17 77 5 24 1 (g) 4 (h) 1975 3 3 100 2 66 2 100 2 100 ...... 1976 14 9 64 12 86 8 67 5 63 3 33 1 (i) 2 (j) 1977 2 1 50 1 50 1 100 1 100 ...... 1978 36 21 58 29 81 23 79 16 73 7 30 2 (k) 5 (l) 1979 3 2 67 0 ...... 1980 13 6 46 12 92 12 100 7 58 5 42 2 (m) 3 (n) 1981 2 1 50 0 ...... 1982 36 27 75 33 92 25 76 19 76 6 24 1 (o) 5 (p) 1983 3 3 100 1 33 1 100 ...... 1 100 1 (q) . . . 1984 13 5 38 9 69 6 67 4 67 2 33 . . . 2 (r) 1985 2 1 50 1 50 1 100 1 100 ...... 1986 36 19 53 24 67 18 75 15 83 3 18 1 (s) 2 (t) 1987 3 3 100 2 67 1 50 ...... 1 100 1 (u) . . . 1988 12 5 42 9 75 9 100 8 89 1 11 . . . 1 (v) 1989 2 2 100 0 ...... 1990 36 19 (w) 53 33 92 23 70 17 74 6 26 . . . 6 (x) 1991 3 2 67 2 67 2 100 ...... 2 100 1 (y) 1 (z) 1992 12 8 67 9 75 4 44 4 100 ...... 1993 2 0 0 1 50 1 100 ...... 1 100 . . . 1 (aa) 1994 36 11 (bb) 31 30 83 23 77 17 74 6 26 2 (cc) 4 (dd) 1995 3 1 33 2 67 1 50 1 100 ...... 1996 11 7 64 9 82 7 78 7 100 ...... 1997 2 0 0 1 50 1 100 1 100 ...... 1998 36 11 (ee) 31 27 75 25 93 23 92 2 8 . . . 2 (ff) 1999 3 2 67 2 67 2 100 2 100 ...... 2000 11 8 73 7 88 6 86 5 83 1 17 . . . 1 (gg) 2001 2 2 100 0 ...... 2002 36 14 39 22 61 16 73 12 75 4 25 . . . 4 (hh) 2003 4 (ii) 1 25 2 50 2 100 ...... 2 100 . . . 2 (jj) 2004 11 6 55 11 100 8 73 4 50 4 50 2 (kk) 2 (ll) 2005 2 2 100 1 50 ...... 2006 36 20 56 31 86 27 87 25 93 2 7 1 (mm) 1 (nn) 2007 3 1 33 3 100 2 67 1 50 1 50 . . . 1 (oo) 2008 11 7 64 9 82 8 89 8 100 ...... 2009 2 0 0 1 50 1 100 ...... 1 100 . . . 1 (pp) 2010 37 13 35 22 60 14 64 11 79 3 21 1 (qq) 2 (rr) 2011 4 2 50 3 75 3 100 3 100 0 0 0 0 2012 12 7 58 8 67 7 88 7 100 ...... 2013 2 1 50 1 50 1 50 1 50 0 0 0 0 2014 36 13 36 31 86 29 81 26 72.2 3 8 1 (a) 2 (b) Totals: Number 626 330 477 378 293 85 22 63 Percent 100 52.7 76.2 79.6 77.5 22.5 25.9 74.1

Source: The Council of State Governments, The Book of the States, (g) David Hall, D-Okla. 2012, (Lexington, KY: The Council of State Governments, 2012), (h) John Vanderhoof, R-Colo.; Francis Sargent, R-Mass.; Malcolm 204, updated. Wilson, R-N.Y.; John Gilligan, D-. Key: (i) Dan Walker, D-Ill. (a) Albert Brewer, D-Ala.; Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii. (j) Sherman Tribbitt, D-Del.; Christopher ‘Kit’ Bond, R-Mo. (b) Keith Miller, R-; Winthrop Rockefeller, R-Ark.; (k) Michael Dukakis, D-Mass.; Dolph Briscoe, D-Texas. Claude Kirk, R-Fla.; Don Samuelson, R-Idaho; Norbert Tieman, (l) Robert F. Bennett, R-Kan.; Rudolph G. Perpich, D-Minn.; R-Neb.; Dewey Bartlett, R-Okla.; Frank Farrar, R-S.D.; Sean Parnell, Meldrim Thompson, R-N.H.; Robert Straub, D-Ore.; Martin J. R-Alaska; Tom Corbett, R-Penn. Schreiber, D-Wis. (c) Walter Peterson, R-N.H.; Preston Smith, D-Texas. (m) Thomas L. Judge, D-Mont.; Dixy Lee Ray, D-Wash. (d) Russell Peterson, R-Del.; Richard Ogilvie, R-Ill. (n) , D-Ark.; Joseph P. Teasdale, D-Mo.; Arthur A. (e) William Cahill, R-N.J. Link, D-N.D. (f) One independent candidate won: James Longley of . Footnotes are continued on the next page.

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Table A: Gubernatorial Elections: 1970–2014, Footnotes Continued

(o) Edward J. King, D-Mass. (dd) James E. Folsom Jr., D-Ala.; Bruce King, D-N.M.; Mario (p) Frank D. White, R-Ark.; Charles Thone, R-Neb.; Robert F. Cuomo, D-N.Y.; Ann Richards, D-Texas. List, R-Nev.; Hugh J. Gallen, D-N.H.; William P. Clements, R-Texas. (ee) Two Independent candidates won: of Maine and (q) David Treen, R-La. Jesse Ventura of Minnesota. (r) Allen I. Olson, R-N.D.; John D. Spellman, R-Wash. (ff) Fob James, R-Ala.; David Beasley, R-S.C. (s) Bill Sheffield, D-Alaska. (gg) Cecil Underwood, R-W.Va. (t) Mark White, D-Texas; Anthony S. Earl, D-Wis. (hh) Don Siegelman, D-Ala.; Roy Barnes, D-Ga.; Jim Hodges, D- (u) Edwin Edwards, D-La. S.C.; and Scott McCallum, R-Wis. (v) Arch A. Moore, R-W.Va. (ii) The California recall election and replacement vote of 2003 (w) Two Independent candidates won: Walter Hickel (Alaska) and is included in the 2003 election totals and as a general election for Lowell Weiker (Conn.). Both were former statewide Republican office the last column. holders. (jj) Gray Davis, D-Calif.; Ronnie Musgrove, D-Miss. (x) Bob Martinez, R-Fla.; Mike Hayden, R-Kan.; James Blanchard, (kk) Bob Holden, D-Mo.; Olene Walker, R-Utah, lost in the pre- D-Mich.; Rudy Perpich, DFL-Minn.; Kay Orr, R-Neb.; Edward DiPrete, primary convention. R-R.I. (ll) Joe Kernan, D-Ind.; Craig Benson, R-N.H. (y) Buddy Roemer, R-La. (mm) Frank Murkowski, R-Alaska. (z) Ray Mabus, D-Miss. (nn) Robert Ehrlich, R-Md. (aa) James Florio, D-N.J. (oo) , R-Ky. (bb) One Independent candidate won: Angus King of Maine. (pp) Jon Corzine, D-N.J. (cc) Bruce Sundlun, D-R.I.; Walter Dean Miller, R-S.D. (qq) Jim Gibbons, R-Nev. (rr) Chet Culver, D-Iowa; Ted Strickland, D-Ohio.

Plurality Winners While third-party candidates for governor are his Republican affiliation in August 2013, he took commonplace, most do not garner enough votes to advantage of the fact that third party candidates affect the outcomes of general elections, let alone have somewhat better odds in Alaska than in other win office. In 2014, however, there were 10 races states, and the fact that the Democratic Party did where the winner of the general election did not not field its own candidate helped him win with 48 receive a majority of all votes cast, which speaks percent of the vote. to the significance of third-party candidates in this election cycle.7 Recapping the Most Competitive Races Nearly one-third of governors were elected or Historically, the two major parties have had re-elected without the support of the majority of roughly equal control of American governorships voters in their states. More governors were elected over time. Democratic candidates held an edge in without a majority vote in 2014 than in any election 330 of the 626 gubernatorial elections—or 52.7 in the past 100 years.8 In a few cases, third-party or percent—that have occurred between 1970 and unaffiliated candidates garnered enough votes that 2014. In 229 of these races—36.6 percent—the out­ their presence on the ballot could have affected come led to a party shift in the governor’s office. the final outcome of the election. Colorado is a Party shifts have played out over the years so that case in point. Incumbent Democrat John Hicken­ neither of the two major parties has held an edge looper won the general election with 49.1 percent for more than 40 years in gubernatorial elections. of the vote and Republican Robert Beauprez won There are cycles in these shifts; whoever wins 46.2 percent of the vote. The remaining vote was the most recent presidential election seems to divided between a Green Party candidate, a Liber­ have a negative effect on their party’s gubernato­ tarian Party candidate, and two other candidates. A rial races in elections in the following two years. shifting of votes from these third-party candidates After the election of Democrat as could have affected the outcome of the election. president in 2008, Democrats won only 13 of the An independent won in Alaska when former 39 gubernatorial races in 2009 and 2010—just 33.3 Valdez mayor Bill Walker—a candidate in the percent. Following Obama winning a second term Republican gubernatorial primary in 2010— in 2012, Democrats won only 12 of the 38 governor teamed with former Juneau mayor Byron Mallett, races in 2013 and 2014—31.6 percent. a Democrat, to form a winning unity ticket against The strong Republican showing in the 2014 incumbent Republican Sean Parnell. In 2014, gubernatorial elections likely reflected a national Mallett had been a Democratic gubernatorial political mood that manifested itself on the 2014 candidate in his own right. When Walker dropped congressional elections as well. Obama’s approval

156 The Book of the States 2015 GOVERNORS

Table B: Total Cost of Gubernatorial Elections: 1977–2014 (in thousands of dollars)

Total campaign costs Average cost Number per state Year of races Actual $ 2014$ (a) (2014$)(b) 1977 2 $12,312 $47,336 $23,668 1978 36 (c) 102,342 365,638 10,157 1979 3 32,744 105,050 35,017 Sources: Thad Beyle and The Council of State Governments. 1980 13 35,634 100,746 7,750 Key: 1981 2 24,648 63,168 31,584 N.A. — Not available. (a) Developed from the table “Historic Consumer Price Index for 1982 36 181,832 438,890 12,191 All Urban Consumers (CPI-U),” created by the Bureau of Labor 1983 3 39,966 93,466 31,155 Statistics for the U.S. Department of Labor. Each year’s expenditures 1984 13 47,156 105,731 8,133 are converted into the 2014$ value of the dollar by dividing those $ expenditures by the percent of that year’s CPI-U value to control 1985 2 18,859 40,829 20,415 for the effect of inflation or recession over the period. 1986 36 270,605 575,143 15,976 (b) Average cost per state is the result of dividing the 2014$ total 1987 3 40,212 82,452 27,484 campaign expenditures by the number of elections held that year. (c) The expenditure data of 1978 are a particular problem as the 1988 12 (d) 52,208 102,812 8,568 two sources compiling data on this year’s elections did so in differing 1989 2 47,902 89,991 44,995 ways that excluded some candidates. The result is that the numbers for 1978 under-represent the actual costs of these elections by some 1990 36 345,493 615,742 17,104 unknown amount. The sources are: Rhodes Cook and Stacy West, 1991 3 34,564 59,114 19,705 “1978 Advantage,” CQ Weekly Report,(1979): 1757–1758, and The 1992 12 60,278 100,080 8,340 Great Louisiana Spendathon (Baton Rouge: Public Affairs Research Council, March 1980). 1993 2 36,195 58,351 29,175 (d) As of the 1986 election, Arkansas switched to a four-year term 1994 36 417,873 656,826 18,245 for the governor, hence the drop from 13 to 12 for this off-year. 1995 3 35,693 54,560 18,187 (e) As of the 1994 election, Rhode Island switched to a four-year 1996 11 (e) 68,610 101,871 9,261 term for the governor, hence the drop from 12 to 11 for this off-year. (f) In 2003, there was a special recall and replacement election 1997 2 44,823 65,055 32,528 held in California in which voters elected to recall incumbent Gov. 1998 36 470,326 672,182 18,672 Gray Davis (D) from office and replace him with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), hence the fourth election in this off-year 1999 3 16,276 22,757 7,586 instead of the normal three. 2000 11 97,098 131,125 11,920 (g) In 2010, Utah held a special election to elect Gov. Gary Herbert (R) to the position which he had been appointed to in 2009. In 2009, 2001 3 70,400 92,607 30,869 then Lt. Gov. Herbert succeeded to the office of governor after Jon 2002 36 841,427 1,089,649 30,268 Huntsman (R) left to become U.S. ambassador to China. Under Utah 2003 4 (f) 69,939 88,564 22,141 law, voters must agree that a succeeding governor can hold the role 2004 11 112,625 138,889 12,626 until the next regularly scheduled election. (h) In 2011, West Virginia held a special election to elect Gov. Earl 2005 2 131,996 157,438 78,719 Ray Tomblin (D) to the position he had been appointed to in 2010. 2006 36 727,552 840,712 23,353 Tomblin was appointed governor upon the resignation of Gov. Joe 2007 3 93,803 105,385 35,128 Manchin (D), who won a seat in the U.S. Senate. West Virginia law requires a special election must be held in the case of a gubernatorial 2008 11 118,912 128,651 11,696 succession. 2009 2 92,911 100,001 50,000 (i) In 2012, Wisconsin held a special recall and replacement elec­ tion focused on Gov. Scott Walker (R ). Walker received 53 percent 2010 37 (g) 920,735 983,586 26,583 of the vote and was not recalled. In North Dakota, the law has been 2011 4 (h) 45,934 47,570 11,893 changed so that candidates no longer have to report the amount of 2012 12 (i) 144,044 146,149 12,179 $ expenditures made in the campaign.

2013 2 84,746 84,746 42,373 2014 36 704,300 704,300 19,564

ratings hit the lowest point of his presidency as the the end. Many candidates won with very narrow 2014 elections loomed. Republicans had a net gain margins. In fact, the gubernatorial campaigns were of 12 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives in where the political excitement was in 2014. More November, leaving Democrats with 188 congres­ than one-third of the gubernatorial races in 2014 sional seats—the fewest they have controlled since were considered competitive—meaning, if not 1949. Democrats also lost control of the U.S. Senate. complete tossups, races where each candidate had What is surprising about the number of Repub­ a significant chance to win, even as Nov. 6 drew lican wins in 2014, however, is that Republicans close. The 2014 gubernatorial elections were more had this strong finish even though quite a large competitive than their statewide election brethren, proportion of campaigns remained close until the 2014 U.S. Senate races.

The Council of State Governments 157 GOVERNORS

Figure A: Gubernatorial Elections Expenditures (by millions)

1,600 $1,432 1,400 $1,299 $1,252 1,200

1,000 $879 $886 $906 $814 $790 800 $712 $629 600

2014 Dollars (in millions) 2014 400

200

0 1977–80 1981–84 1985–88 1989–92 1993–96 1997–00 2001–04 2005–08 2009–12 2013–14

Sources: Thad Beyle and The Council of State Governments. Note: The annual CPI-U index was used to determine the equivalent 2014$ for each of the prior years. The 2014 CPI-U=225 and each prior year’s expenditures were divided by the percent that year’s CPI-U was of the 2014 CPI-U.

Despite the number of competitive races, how­ § Colorado: As mentioned above, neither major ever, the final outcomes showed the impact of the party candidate received a majority vote, and aforementioned Republican wave. The road to Democrat John Hickenlooper was re-elected. victory may have been rocky; six of the 13 races Republican Beau Beauprez, a former congress­ that had labeled tossups man, rancher and community banker who was produced winners who took office with a plurality seen by many in his party as their best hope in rather than a majority of support. But in the end, the general election, did not receive a place on most Republican incumbents who were threat­ the primary ballot at the state party convention. ened were able to hold their seats, Democratic He subsequently petitioned his way on the ballot incumbents who were threatened were unable to and won the Republican primary against four hold theirs, and open seat races were more likely other major candidates. Democratic incumbent to produce a Republican winner. As for the safe John Hickenlooper was popular in the state, but races, every Republican-favored race produced a suffered in the polls as the election approached— win for the Republican candidate. perhaps affected by his signing of gun control Recapping 13 races widely seen as especially and marijuana legalization bills into law, and competitive: changing his position on the death penalty. § Alaska: As discussed above, Republican Sean § Connecticut: Due to the economy in Connecticut Parnell couldn’t hold his seat and lost to an in 2014 not rebounding as well as some other Independent. There were state budget problems states, incumbent Democrat Dan Malloy was in due to falling oil prices, and Independent candi­ one of the most competitive races in the country. date Bill Walker argued that Parnell’s tax cuts This was a rematch of the 2010 battle between made the situation worse. Former Republican Malloy and Republican Tom Foley for governor. Gov. Sarah Palin didn’t help Parnell when she A statistical dead heat heading into Election endorsed his opponent. Day, Malloy was re-elected by a 3 percent margin.

158 The Book of the States 2015 GOVERNORS

Table C: Cost of Gubernatorial Campaigns, Most Recent Elections, 2011–2014

Total campaign expenditures Winner Point All candidates Cost per vote Percent of all Vote State Year Winner margin (2014$) (2014$) Spent (2014$) expenditures percent Alabama...... 2014 R★ +27.26 $7,990,363 6.77 $6,769,778 84.7% 63.6% Alaska...... 2014 I★★★ +2.22 1,791,047 6.40 847,593 47.3 48.1 Arizona...... 2014 R# +11.90 20,471,454 13.59 7,910,241 38.6 53.5 Arkansas...... 2014 R# +12.96 15,950,408 18.79 5,883,158 38.9 55.5 California...... 2014 D★ +20.00 13,772,803 18.82 5,945,649 43.7 60.0 Colorado...... 2014 D★ +3.14 10,619,170 5.20 5,463,070 51.5 49.2 Connecticut...... 2014 D★ +2.82 16,892,137 15.46 6,735,418 39.9 51.4 ...... 2012 D★ +40.64 1,958,861 4.92 1,656,189 96.5 69.3 ...... 2014 R★ +1.08 22,872,029 3.84 10,447,966 45.7 48.2 ...... 2014 R★ +7.86 10,739,159 4.21 1,588,830 14.8 52.8 Hawaii...... 2014 D# +12.30 9,173,312 25.04 2,029,646 22.1 49.0 Idaho...... 2014 R★ +15.35 6,595,929 6.70 2,143,926 32.5 54.9 Illinois...... 2014 R★ +3.92 102,434,649 28.16 65,426,075 63.9 50.3 ...... 2012 R# +2.89 20,535,517 7.97 13,085,571 65.7 49.5 Iowa...... 2014 R★ +21.80 10,516,834 9.31 8,577,632 81.6 59.0 ...... 2014 R★ +3.70 7,121,660 8.19 2,268,612 31.9 49.8 ...... 2011 D★ +20.4 15,514,696 18.62 12,081,847 80.3 55.7 Louisiana...... 2011 R★ +47.9 9,050,900 8.85 8,675,274 98.8 65.8 Maine...... 2014 R★ +4.77 7,897,902 12.92 1,906,350 24.1 47.7 Maryland...... 2014 R# +3.80 24,496,947 14.17 4,929,224 20.1 51.0 Massachusetts...... 2014 R# 2.88 21,606,838 10.00 6,762,699 31.3 48.5 Michigan...... 2014 R★ 5.74 21,812,323 6.91 14,498,509 66.5 51.7 Minnesota...... 2014 D★ +5.56 5,451,188 2.76 3,039,926 55.8 50.1 Mississippi...... 2011 R# +22.1 12,216,185 13.67 7,856,360 66.3 61.1 ...... 2012 D★ +12.1 27,018,238 9.90 15,512,314 59.2 54.7 Montana...... 2012 D# +1.56 4,656,165 9.53 1,708,031 36.7 48.9 Nebraska...... 2014 R# +17.51 14,760,429 27.35 7,059,254 47.8 57.2 Nevada...... 2014 R★ +46.89 3,617,676 6.61 3,513,555 97.1 70.6 New Hampshire.... 2014 D★ +9.08 3,341,358 6.87 1,472,416 44.1 52.5 New Jersey...... 2013 R★ +22.1 27,040,070 12.75 19,820,437 75.6 60.3 New Mexico...... 2014 R★ +14.44 12,486,204 24.35 8,501,999 88.5 57.2 New York...... 2014 D★ +13.97 59,541,778 15.59 52,663,635 88.5 54.3 North Carolina...... 2012 R# +11.49 17,398,973 3.90 11,161,800 66.2 54.7 North Dakota...... 2012 R★ +28.79 (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) Ohio...... 2014 R★ +30.96 20,166,455 6.60 16,640,931 82.5 63.8 ...... 2014 R★ +14.80 5,987,244 7.26 4,317,938 72.1 55.8 Oregon...... 2014 D★ +5.76 8,106,083 5.51 5,006,085 61.8 49.9 Pennsylvania...... 2014 D# +9.86 75,887,787 21.70 31,364,073 41.3 54.9 Rhode Island...... 2014 D# +4.50 13,488,998 41.62 6,284,440 46.6 40.7 South Carolina...... 2014 R★ +14.46 15,110,615 12.12 7,887,670 52.2 55.9 South Dakota...... 2014 R★ +45.04 1,857,606 6.70 1,506,034 81.1 70.5 ...... 2014 R★ +47.73 4,272,410 3.16 4,246,999 99.4 70.7 Texas...... 2014 R# +20.32 78,983,336 16.74 49,460,752 67.6 59.2 Utah...... 2012 R★ +40.5 2,755,320 2.74 2,150,305 80.5 68.3 ...... 2014 D★ +1.26 1,264,972 6.55 961,469 76.0 46.8 Virginia...... 2013 D# +2.52 60,353,635 26.93 32,417,401 53.4 47.8 Washington...... 2012 D# +3.4 24,559,984 8.00 11,484,573 48.2 51.5 West Virginia...... 2012 D★ +4.85 6,897,808 10.38 3,376,110 50.5 50.5 Wisconsin...... 2014 R★ +5.74 46,336,867 19.22 29,673,716 52.9 52.9 Wyoming...... 2014 R★ +31.52 4,118,264 24.53 626,707 49.2 52.5

Source: Thad Beyle, Jennifer Jensen, Aaron Luedtke and The Council (a) Data unavailable due to a change in North Dakota’s campaign of State Governments. contribution reporting requirements. They are no longer required to Note: All dollar figures are in equivalent 2014$. file the $ expenditures by candidates, but must file data on contribu­ Key: tions of $200 or more received by candidates. D — Democrat I — Independent R — Republican # — Open seat ★ — Incumbent ran and won. ★★ — Incumbent ran and lost in party primary. ★★★ — Incumbent ran and lost in general election.

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Table D: Women Governors in the States

Year elected How woman Last elected or succeeded became Previous position held Governor State to office governor Tenure of service offices held before governorship Phase I—From initial statehood to adoption of the 19th Amendment to U.S. Constitution (1920) No women elected or served as governor Phase II—Wives of former governors elected governor, 1924 –1966 Nellie Tayloe Ross (D) Wyoming 1924 E 1/1925 –1/1927 F . . . Miriam “Ma” Ferguson (D) Texas 1924 E 1/1925 –1/1927 F . . . 1/1933 –1/1935 Lurleen Wallace (D) Alabama 1966 E 1/1967–5/1968 F . . . Phase III—Women who became governor on their own merit, 1970 to date Ella Grasso (D) Connecticut 1974 E 1/1975 –12/1980 SH, SOS, (a) (a) Dixy Lee Ray (D) Washington 1976 E 1/1977–1/1981 (b) . . . Vesta M. Roy (R) New Hampshire 1982 S (c) 12/1982 –1/1983 (d) (d) (D) Kentucky 1983 E 12/1983 –12/1987 (e), LG LG Madeleine M. Kunin (D) Vermont 1984 E 1/1985 –1/1991 SH, LG LG Kay A. Orr (R) Nebraska 1986 E 1/1987–1/1991 T T Rose Mofford (D) Arizona 1988 S (f) 4/1988 –1/1991 SOS SOS Joan Finney (D) Kansas 1990 E 1/1991–1/1995 T T Barbara Roberts (D) Oregon 1990 E 1/1991–1/1995 (g), C, SH, SOS SOS Ann Richards (D) Texas 1990 E 1/1991–1/1995 C, T T Christy Whitman (R) New Jersey 1993 E 1/1994 –1/2001 (h) (h) Jeanne Shaheen (D) New Hampshire 1996 E 1/1997–1/2003 (d) (d) Jane Dee Hull (R) Arizona 1997 S (i) 9/1997–1/2003 (j), SOS SOS Nancy P. Hollister (R) Ohio 1998 S (k) 12/1998 –1/1999 LG LG Ruth Ann Minner (D) Delaware 2000 E 1/2001–1/2009 SH, SS, LG LG Judy Martz (R) Montana 2000 E 1/2001–1/2005 LG LG Sila Calderón (Pop D) Puerto Rico 2000 E 1/2001–1/2005 M M Jane Swift (R) Massachusetts 2001 S (l) 4/2001–1/2003 SS, LG LG Janet Napolitano (D) Arizona 2002 E 1/2003 –1/2009 (m), AG AG Linda Lingle (R) Hawaii 2002 E 12/2002 –12/2010 C, M (n) M Kathleen Sebelius (D) Kansas 2002 E 1/2003 – 4/2009 SH, (o) (o) Jennifer Granholm (D) Michigan 2002 E 1/2003 –1/2011 (p), AG AG Olene Walker (R) Utah 2003 S (q) 11/2003 –1/2005 SH, LG LG Kathleen Blanco (D) Louisiana 2003 E 1/2004 –1/2008 SH, LG LG M. Jodi Rell (R) Connecticut 2004 S (r) 7/2004 –1/2011 SH, LG LG Christine Gregoire (D) Washington 2004 E 1/2005 –1/2013 AG AG Sarah Palin (R) Alaska 2006 E 1/2007–7/2009 M (s) M Beverly Perdue (D) North Carolina 2008 E 1/2009–1/2013 SH, SS, LG LG Jan Brewer (R) Arizona 2009 S (t) 1/2009– C, SH, SS, SOS SOS Susana Martinez (R) New Mexico 2010 E 1/2011– (u) (u) Mary Fallin (R) Oklahoma 2010 E 1/2011– (a) (a) Nikki Haley (R) South Carolina 2010 E 1/2011– SH SH Maggie Wood Hassan (D) New Hampshire 2012 E 1/2013– SS SS (D) Rhode Island 2014 E 1/2015– ST ST Kate Brown (D) Oregon 2015 S (v) 2/2015– SH, SS, SOS SOS

Sources: National Governors Association website, www.nga.org, (k) Hollister as lieutenant governor became governor when Gov. and individual state government websites. George Voinovich stepped down to serve in the U.S. Senate. Key: (l) Swift as lieutenant governor succeeded Gov. Paul Celluci who S — Succeeded to office upon death, resignation or removal of resigned after being appointed ambassador to Canada. Was the first the incumbent governor. governor to give birth while serving in office. AG — Attorney general M — Mayor (m) U.S. attorney. C — City council or SH — State House member (n) Lingle was mayor of Maui for two terms, elected in 1990 and 1996. county commission (o) Insurance commissioner. E — Elected governor SOS — Secretary of state (p) Federal prosecutor. F — Former first lady SS — State Senate member (q) Walker as lieutenant governor succeeded to the governorship LG — Lieutenant governor T — State treasurer upon the resignation of Gov. Mike Leavitt in 2003. (a) Congresswoman. (r) Rell as lieutenant governor succeeded to the governorship upon (b) Ray served on the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission from 1972 the resignation of Gov. John Rowland in 2004. to 1975 and was chair of the AEC from 1973 to 1975. (s) Palin was a two-term Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, and had unsuc­ (c) Roy as state Senate president succeeded to office upon the cessfully sought the lieutenant governor’s office in 2002. In 2008, death of Gov. Hugh Gallen. Palin was nominated to be the vice presidential candidate on the (d) State Senate president. Republican ticket with U.S. Sen. John McCain. (e) State Supreme Court clerk. (t) Brewer as secretary of state succeeded to the governorship (f) Mofford as secretary of state became acting governor in Feb­ upon the resignation of Gov. Janet Napolitano in January 2009 after ruary 1988 and governor in April 1988 upon the impeachment and her confirmation as head of the U.S. Department of Homeland removal of Gov. Evan Mecham. Security. Brewer then won a full term in the 2010 election. (g) Local school board member. (u) District Attorney—Dona Ana County, N.M. (h) Whitman was a former state utilities official. (v) Kate Brown as secretary of state succeded to the governorship (i) Hull as secretary of state became acting governor when Gov. upon the resignation of Gov. John Kitzhaber in February 2015 after Fife Symington resigned. Elected to full term in 1998. allegations of criminal wrongdoing involving the role his fiancée, (j) Speaker of the state House. Cylvia Hayes, held in his office.

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Table E: 2011–2014 Governors’ Race Winners by Party and Margin

Democratic winners Republican winners Independent winners Election Percent Point Election Percent Point Election Percent Point State Year of win margin State Year of win margin State Year of win margin Delaware...... 2012 69.3 +40.7 Nevada...... 2014 70.6 +46.7 Alaska...... 2014 48.1 +2.2 California...... 2014 59.8 +19.6 South Dakota...... 2014 70.5 +45.0 Vermont...... 2012 57.8 +22.2 Tennessee...... 2014 70.3 +47.5 Kentucky...... 2011 55.9 +20.4 Utah...... 2012 68.4 +40.6 Pennsylvania...... 2014 54.9 +9.9 Louisiana...... 2011 65.8 +47.9 Missouri...... 2012 54.8 +12.3 Alabama...... 2014 64.0 +28.0 New York...... 2014 54.3 +14.0 Ohio...... 2014 63.6 +30.6 New Hampshire... 2012 52.6 +12.1 North Dakota...... 2012 63.3 +28.8 New Hampshire... 2014 52.5 +9.1 Wyoming...... 2014 62.6 +33.8 Washington...... 2012 51.5 +3.0 Mississippi...... 2011 61.1 +22.1 Connecticut...... 2014 51.0 +3.0 New Jersey...... 2013 60.3 +22.1 West Virginia...... 2012 50.4 +4.7 Texas...... 2014 59.2 +20.3 Minnesota...... 2014 49.8 +5.6 Iowa...... 2014 59.0 +21.8 Oregon...... 2014 49.8 +5.8 New Mexico...... 2014 57.2 +14.5 Colorado...... 2014 49.2 +3.4 Nebraska...... 2014 57.2 +17.9 Hawaii...... 2014 49.0 +12.3 South Carolina..... 2014 55.9 +14.5 Montana...... 2012 48.8 +1.6 Oklahoma...... 2014 55.8 +14.8 Virginia...... 2013 47.8 +2.5 Arkansas...... 2014 55.5 +13.0 Vermont...... 2014 43.4 +1.3 North Carolina..... 2012 54.7 +11.5 Rhode Island...... 2014 40.7 +4.5 Arizona...... 2014 53.5 +11.9 Idaho...... 2014 53.5 +14.9 Georgia...... 2014 53.0 +8.0 Wisconsin...... 2014 52.3 +5.7 Michigan...... 2014 52.2 +5.8 Maryland...... 2014 51.0 +3.8 Illinois...... 2014 50.3 +3.9 Kansas...... 2014 50.0 +4.0 Massachusetts...... 2014 48.5 +1.9 Florida...... 2014 48.1 +1.0 Maine...... 2014 48.0 +5.0

Source: Thad Beyle.

Overall Results by Victory Point Margin: Party and Region

Number Number of Number of Number of Point margin of states Republicans Democrats Independents East South Midwest West 10+ points 29 21 8 0 5 9 6 9 5–10 points 8 4 4 0 3 1 3 1 0–5 points 15 6 8 1 7 2 2 4 Totals: 52 31 20 1 15 12 11 14

Source: Thad Beyle.

Foley—a businessman who served as ambassador Scott beat Crist with a margin of fewer than two to Ireland under President George W. Bush and percentage points. Witnessing a campaign with worked previously in the U.S. departments of vigorous negative attacks on both sides, voters State and Defense—lost to Malloy by only 6,200 seemed unenthusiastic about either choice. Scott votes in 2010. Malloy was mayor of Stamford accused Crist of being a political flip-flopper; Crist before his election as governor. attacked Scott—a former health care executive— § Florida: Incumbent Rick Scott bested former for cuts to education, for spending his own wealth governor Charlie Crist in this rematch of the 2010 on his campaigns, and for the Medicare fraud at gubernatorial election. This was the second time a hospital that was part of Scott’s health care chain.

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Table F: New Governors Elected Each 4-Year Period, 1970–2014 (a)

Number of New Governors Incumbents Running gubernatorial Year elections Won Percent Number Won Lost Percent Lost 1970 35 19 54% 24 16 8 36% 1971 3 3 100 ...... 1972 18 11 61 11 7 4 36 1973 2 2 100 1 . . . 1 100 1974 35 18 51 22 17 5 24 1975 3 1 33 2 2 ...... 1976 14 9 64 8 5 3 33 1977 2 1 50 1 1 ...... 1978 36 20 56 23 16 7 30 1979 3 3 100 ...... 1980 13 6 46 12 7 5 42 1981 2 2 100 ...... 1982 36 17 47 25 19 6 24 1983 3 3 100 1 . . . 1 100 1984 13 9 69 6 4 2 33 1985 2 1 50 1 1 ...... 1986 36 21 58 18 15 3 18 1987 3 3 100 1 . . . 1 100 1988 12 4 33 9 8 1 11 1989 2 2 100 ...... 1990 36 19 53 23 17 6 26 1991 3 3 100 2 . . . 2 100 1992 12 8 67 4 4 ...... 1993 2 1 50 1 . . . 1 100 1994 36 19 53 23 17 6 26 1995 3 2 67 1 1 ...... 1996 11 4 36 7 7 ...... 1997 2 1 50 1 1 ...... 1998 36 13 36 25 23 2 8 1999 3 1 33 2 2 ...... 2000 11 6 55 6 5 1 17 2001 2 2 100 ...... 2002 36 24 67 16 12 4 25 2003 (b) 4 4 100 2 . . . 2 100 2004 11 7 64 8 4 4 50 2005 2 2 100 ...... 2006 36 9 25 27 25 2 7 2007 3 2 67 2 1 1 50 2008 11 3 24 8 8 ...... 2009 2 2 100 1 . . . 1 100 2010 37 26 70 14 11 3 21 2011 4 1 25 3 3 ...... 2012 (c) 12 5 42 7 7 ...... 2013 2 1 50 1 1 ...... 2014 36 10 28 29 26 3 10

Totals: 626 332 53 378 293 85 23

Source: Thad Beyle. in California in which the incumbent Gov. Gray Davis (D) was Key: recalled and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected as (a) Table A: Gubernatorial Elections: 1970–2010, The Book of his replacement. the States, 2011 (Lexington, KY: The Council of State Governments, (c) In June 2012, a recall and replacement election was held in 2011), 128. Wisconsin. Gov. Scott Walker (R) won 53 percent of the votes cast (b) In 2003, there was a recall and replacement election vote and was not recalled.

§ Georgia: The biggest question as the 2014 elec­ polls for months—but whether he would get 50 tion grew close was not whether Republican percent of the vote. He did so, thus avoiding a incumbent Nathan Deal would be the largest runoff election to secure his next four years in vote-getter in the general election—he had office. Deal beat Democrat Jason Carter, a sitting maintained a small but consistent lead in the state senator and grandson of former President

162 The Book of the States 2015 GOVERNORS

(and former Georgia governor) , the 2010 three-way race. Urged by others to with­ and Libertarian Andrew Hunt, founder and for­ draw as the 2014 general election neared and it mer CEO of a technology company. became clear that he would not win, Cutler stayed § Illinois: Incumbent Democrat Pat Quinn lost his on the ballot but released his supporters from seat to Republican business executive Bruce voting for him, ultimately receiving 8.4 percent Rauner. Quinn was elevated to governor in 2009 of the vote. when incumbent Rod Blagojevich was impeached, § Michigan: Rick Snyder won re-election over Dem­ and then narrowly elected in his own right in ocrat Mark Schauer, a former congressman. 2010. The 2014 race was one of the most closely Snyder withstood attacks on his significant cuts watched this season. At different points in the to education, ultimately winning 51 percent of campaign, each candidate was ahead in the polls. the vote in what most experts predicted would With a competitive race and major media markets, be a close election. Snyder had won his first this was an extremely expensive race. gubernatorial election by a wide margin, but § Kansas: Incumbent Republican Sam Brownback drew criticism for his budget cuts and for signing was re-elected with 49.8 percent of the vote. State “right to work” legislation in 2012, which effec­ House Minority Leader Paul Davis won 46.1 per­ tively banned unions from requiring workers to cent of the vote, and Libertarian Keen Umbehr pay dues and substantially weakened the power took 4 percent of the vote. Brownback, a former of unions in the state. U.S. senator and a very conservative Republican, § Rhode Island: Democrat Gina Raimondo beat has been a divisive leader in a party of moderate Republican Allan Fung, mayor of Cranston, by and conservative Republicans. In his first term five points in an election where third-party can­ as governor, he enacted significant tax cuts and didate Bob Healey took 21 percent of the vote. followed a conservative social agenda. In a sur­ Raimondo, a former Rhodes Scholar, received prising move, more than 100 Republican officials national attention for her overhaul of Rhode endorsed his Democratic opponent in July 2014, Island’s public pension system, which was one of saying they could not support Brownback’s cuts the most underfunded in the country. Her focus in education and other services. All this made for on the state’s weak economy and her fiscal man­ quite a horse race, though Brownback was able agement helped her get the plurality she needed to win a second term. to win. § Maryland: Sitting Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown faced § Vermont: In another race without a majority Republican businessman Paul Hogan for an open winner, Democratic incumbent seat. Hogan took 51.3 percent of the vote. Tax won 46.4 percent of the vote, compared to 45.1 hikes signed into law by Gov. Martin O’Malley, a percent of the vote for Republican . Democrat, gave Hogan an opening in this tradi­ Libertarian Dan Feliciano received 4.4 percent of tionally Democratic state. Early polls in election the general election vote, and four other third- season indicated that Brown had a comfortable party candidates write-in candidates together lead, and Brown was viewed as the strong favorite drew more than 4 percent of the vote. With no through much of the campaign. The national winds majority winner, the race went to the Demo­ made it difficult for Democrats, however, and cratically controlled legislature, which in January Brown’s role overseeing the implementation of elected Shumlin to his third term by a 110-69 the may have hurt him. vote. The legislature has voted for the top vote- § Maine: Republican incumbent Paul LePage held getter in every plurality election in more than his seat against Democratic Congressman Mike 150 years. Shumlin was also a plurality winner in Michaud, winning 48.2 percent of the vote in the his 2010 gubernatorial election. general election. This was considered a competi­ § Wisconsin: Wisconsin’s electorate has deeply tive race in large part because LePage was more divided about its incumbent governor, Republican conservative than the typical Maine Republican. Scott Walker. Throughout his time as governor, LePage had managed to win office when two political polls have reported very few “Don’t other candidates split the Democratic vote in a know/Don’t care/Refuse to answer” responses competitive three-way race in 2010. Michaud was to questions about approval for Walker. Thus hurt in 2014 by the candidacy of Independent the campaign between Walker and his Demo­ Eliot Cutler, who had narrowly lost to LePage in cratic opponent, Madison school board member

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Mary Burke, was as much a referendum on Walker Rick Snyder, a venture capitalist in computers; as a statement about his opponent. Walker, who Nebraska Gov. Peter Ricketts, partner in a family was first elected governor in 2010 and who faced business (Ameritrade)—all Republicans; and a contentious recall battle in 2012 following his Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a diverse busi­ successful effort to enact “right to work” legisla­ nessman, a Democrat and a former Democratic tion in the state, saw the same results in 2014 National Committee chair. that he did in his previous two elections: bitterly § One doctor: Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, a der­ fought but ultimately successful. matologist and a Republican. The Characteristics of the Governors In the past 516 gubernatorial races held between 1977 and 2014, candidates held a variety of state­ The governors elected in the most recent cycle of wide political offices prior to seeking the governor’s gubernatorial elections—2011 through 2014—who office. Among the candidates were 119 lieutenant were either holding office or facing election in governors (33 won); 110 attorneys general (31 won); November 2014, took several routes to the office. 37 secretaries of state (eight won); 33 state treasurers Twenty of these governors previously held elected (10 won); and 20 state auditors or comptrollers nonstatewide offices. These include: (three won). Looking at these numbers from a bet­ § Seven former members of Congress: Washington tor’s point of view, the odds of a lieutenant governor Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat; and Arkansas Gov. being elected governor stand at 3.5-to-1; an attorney Asa Hutchinson, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, general at 3.6-to-1; a secretary of state at 4.6-to-1; Indiana Gov. , Louisiana Gov. Bobby a state treasurer at 3.3-to-1; and a state auditor or Jindal, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Oklahoma comptroller at 6.7-to-1. Gov. Mary Fallin, all Republicans. Five women won governorships in 2014. Four § Six mayors or former mayors: Alaska Gov. Bill women won their second terms in 2014: Maggie Walker, Valdez, an Independent; Colorado Gov. Hassan in New Hampshire; Susana Martinez in John Hickenlooper, Denver, and Connecticut New Mexico; Mary Fallin in Oklahoma; and Nikki Gov. Dannel Malloy, Stamford—both Demo­ Haley in South Carolina. In 2014, Gina Raimondo crats; and Maine Gov. Paul LePage, Waterville; won her first term in Rhode Island. North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, Charlotte; and Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Knoxville—all Cost of Gubernatorial Elections Republicans. Table B presents data on the total cost of guberna­ § Five state legislators: South Carolina Gov. Nikki torial elections from 1977 to 2014. These data show Haley, a Republican state representative; Hawaii the rhythm of gubernatorial elections in each four- Gov. David Ige, a Democratic state senator; New year cycle, a rhythm reflecting the fact that there Hampshire Gov. Maggie Wood Hassan, a Demo­ are more states with gubernatorial races in some cratic senate majority leader; Vermont Gov. years than in others. Peter Shumlin and West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray In the past few years, we have seen a disruption Tomblin, both Democratic state senate leaders. of what has been the consistent growth in the amount of money spent in gubernatorial elections during § Two county officials: New Mexico Gov. Susana the four-decade period considered. Over most of Martinez, district attorney; and Wisconsin Gov. this 37-year period, we have seen only a few drops Scott Walker, county CEO—both Republicans. between comparable years in the cycles. These Eight governors followed paths to the gover­ declines usually were tied to relatively uncontested norship that did not include political experience in races when an incumbent was successful in his or the legislative or executive political arena. These her re-election bid. include: The money spent on gubernatorial campaigns § Three former federal attorneys or judges: New has been increasing, but we are seeing a shift Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a former U.S. attor­ in who is spending that money. The 2010 U.S. ney; Nevada Brian Sandoval, a former federal Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. the district court judge; and Wyoming Gov. Matt Federal Election Commission paved the way for Mead, a former U.S. attorney—all Republicans. the explosion of 527 groups, “super-PACs” which § Four businessmen: Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a do not make contributions directly to political par­ health care company executive; Michigan Gov. ties or candidates for office, and thus can accept

164 The Book of the States 2015 GOVERNORS unlimited contributions from individuals, unions About the Authors and corporations. This has funneled campaign Thad L. Beyle is a professor emeritus of political science funding to groups such as the Democratic Gov­ at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After ernors Association, the Republican Governors being an undergraduate and master’s student at Syracuse Association and other groups that spend heavily University, he received his doctorate at the University of on gubernatorial campaigns, and away from the Illinois. He spent a year in the North Carolina governor’s office in the mid-1960s, followed by two years with Terry gubernatorial campaigns themselves. Sanford’s “A Study of American States” project at Duke University. He also has worked with the National Gov­ Notes ernors Association in several capacities on gubernatorial transitions. 1 The authors thank Aaron Luedtke for his research Jennifer M. Jensen is deputy provost for academic assistance. affairs and associate professor of political science at 2 Democratic incumbent winners were in California, Colo­ Lehigh University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from rado, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, the University of Michigan and her master’s and doctorate Oregon, Vermont. Two incumbent Democrats who lost from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She their bids were in Hawaii—primary election, and Illinois— has worked in the U.S. House of Representatives and in general election. governmental relations. Her most recent research focuses 3 Republican incumbent winners were in Alabama, on governors in the intergovernmental arena. Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Two incumbent Republicans who lost their bids were in Alaska —General election, and Pennsylvania—General election. 4 Republicans won in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. 5 Democrats won in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. 6 An Independent won in Alaska. 7 Races that yielded a winner with a plurality, rather than a majority, of the general election vote were in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont. 8 Chikshi, Niraj. 2014. “More governors have won without majority support in the 2010s than in any decade in the past century.” Washington Post Online December 10. http://wapo.st/12tS7Z5. Accessed March 10, 2015.

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