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![]() Democratic incumbent eligible for re-election Term-limited or retiring Democrat Republican incumbent eligible for re-election Term-limited or retiring Republican No election |
United States gubernatorial elections will be held on November 3, 2020 in 11 states and two territories. In addition, special elections may take place (depending on state law) if other gubernatorial seats are vacated. The last regular gubernatorial elections for nine of the eleven states took place in 2016. The last gubernatorial elections for New Hampshire and Vermont took place in 2018, as the governors of both states serve two-year terms. All state governors will be eligible for reelection except for Steve Bullock of Montana, although other governors may choose to retire. The 2020 gubernatorial elections will take place concurrently with several other federal, state, and local elections, including the presidential election.
Contents
Race summary
States
State | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Incumbent status | Candidates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Delaware | John Carney | Democratic | 2016 | Eligible | |
Indiana | Eric Holcomb | Republican | 2016 | Eligible | |
Missouri | Mike Parson | Republican | 2018[a] | Eligible | La'Ondrill Brown (D)[1] |
Montana | Steve Bullock | Democratic | 2012 | Term-limited | Tim Fox (R)[2] Al Olszewski (R)[3] Corey Stapleton (R)[4] |
New Hampshire | Chris Sununu | Republican | 2016 | Eligible | |
North Carolina | Roy Cooper | Democratic | 2016 | Eligible | |
North Dakota | Doug Burgum | Republican | 2016 | Eligible | |
Utah | Gary Herbert | Republican | 2010 | Retiring | |
Vermont | Phil Scott | Republican | 2016 | Eligible | |
Washington | Jay Inslee | Democratic | 2012 | Running for President | |
West Virginia | Jim Justice | Republican | 2016 | Running | Michael Folk (R)[5] Jim Justice (R)[6] Stephen Smith (D)[7] Woody Thrasher (R)[8] |
Territories
State | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Incumbent Status | Candidates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
American Samoa | Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga | Democratic | 2012 | Term-limited | |
Puerto Rico | Ricky Rosselló | PNP/Democratic | 2016 | Eligible |
Pre-election race ratings
Each election, several pundits and news outlets establish ratings, and score races based on certain criteria.
State | PVI[9] | Incumbent | Last Election |
Cook Political Report | Inside Elections | Sabato's Crystal Ball |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Delaware | D+6 | John Carney | 58.3% D | Safe D | Safe D | Safe D |
Indiana | R+9 | Eric Holcomb | 51.4% R | Likely R | Likely R | Safe R |
Missouri | R+9 | Mike Parson | 51.4% R | Safe R | Safe R | Likely R |
Montana | R+11 | Steve Bullock (term-limited) | 50.2% D | Lean D | Tossup | Tossup |
New Hampshire | EVEN | Chris Sununu | 52.8% R | Likely R | Lean R | Lean R |
North Carolina | R+3 | Roy Cooper | 49.0% D | Likely D | Tilt D | Lean D |
North Dakota | R+16 | Doug Burgum | 76.5% R | Safe R | Safe R | Safe R |
Utah | R+20 | Gary Herbert (Retiring) | 66.9% R | Safe R | Safe R | Safe R |
Vermont | D+15 | Phil Scott | 55.2% R | Likely R | Likely R | Likely R |
Washington | D+7 | Jay Inslee (Retiring) | 54.4% D | Safe D | Safe D | Likely D |
West Virginia | R+19 | Jim Justice | 49.1% D[b] | Safe R | Safe R | Safe R |
Gubernatorial races
American Samoa
Two-term incumbent Governor Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga, a Democrat, is term-limited in 2020.
Delaware
One-term incumbent Governor John Carney is eligible for re-election in 2020. Former State Treasurer Ken Simpler is a potential Republican candidate.[11]
Indiana
One-term incumbent Governor Eric Holcomb is eligible for re-election in 2020.
Missouri
One-term incumbent Governor Mike Parson, who took office upon Eric Greitens' resignation, is eligible for election to a full term in 2020.
State Auditor Nicole Galloway is considered a potential Democratic candidate.[12]
Montana
Two-term incumbent Governor Steve Bullock is term-limited in 2020. Former Democratic Governor Brian Schweitzer may run again.[13] Attorney General Tim Fox is a potential Republican candidate.[14]
North Carolina
One-term incumbent Governor Roy Cooper is eligible for re-election in 2020.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest is a potential Republican candidate.[15]
North Dakota
One-term incumbent Governor Doug Burgum is eligible for re-election in 2020.
New Hampshire
Two-term incumbent Governor Chris Sununu is eligible for re-election in 2020.
Puerto Rico
One-term incumbent Governor Ricky Rosselló of the New Progressive Party and the Democratic Party[16] is eligible to run for re-election in 2020. San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz of the Popular Democratic Party and the Democratic Party has announced plans to run.[17]
Utah
Two and a half-term incumbent Governor Gary Herbert is eligible for re-election in 2020, as Utah does not have gubernatorial term limits. However, he announced shortly after being re-elected in 2016 that he will not run for a third full term. He has since stated that he would "never say never" to running for reelection.[18] Josh Romney (son of Senator Mitt Romney) has expressed interest in running.[19]
Vermont
Two-term incumbent Governor Phil Scott is eligible for re-election in 2020.
Washington
Two-term incumbent Governor Jay Inslee is eligible to run for re-election in 2020, as Washington does not have gubernatorial term limits. However, Inslee is running for President in 2020 instead, leaving the governorship open.[20] Potential Democratic candidates include Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib.
Potential Republican candidates include 2016 nominee Bill Bryant.[21]
West Virginia
One-term incumbent Governor Jim Justice is eligible for re-election in 2020. Justice was elected as a Democrat, but later switched to the Republican Party.[22]
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, retired Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton,[22] and Secretary of State Mac Warner were mentioned as potential general election challengers, prior to Justice's decision to join the Republican Party.
See also
Notes
- ^ Mike Parson took office in 2018 after his predecessor (Eric Greitens) resigned.
- ^ Governor Jim Justice switched parties in 2017 and will run in 2020 as a Republican.[10]
References
- ^ Brown, La'Ondrill. "We have an announcement!". Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ Independent Record (January 24, 2019). "Attorney General Tim Fox announces run for Montana governor". Billings Gazette. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
- ^ Drake, Phil (April 3, 2019). "Olszewski announces run for governor". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
- ^ https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/corey-stapleton-announces-he-s-running-for-montana-governor/article_d64c6ff5-06a4-5f4b-974c-17c3a72bc42d.html
- ^ "Former Delegate Mike Folk announces run for W.Va. governor". Associated Press. February 5, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
- ^ Zuckerman, Jake (January 7, 2019). "Gov. Jim Justice announces re-election bid". Charleston Gazette-Mail. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- ^ http://www.wvpublic.org/post/west-virginia-community-organizer-jumps-2020-gubernatorial-race#stream/0
- ^ Young, Charles (April 16, 2019). "Woody Thrasher to run for governor, hopes to unseat Justice in WV's 2020 election". WV News. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
- ^ "2016 State PVI Changes – Decision Desk HQ". decisiondeskhq.com. December 15, 2017.
- ^ Tatum, Sophie; Bradner, Eric; Merica, Dan (August 4, 2017). "Jim Justice of West Virginia governor announces plan to switch parties - CNN Politics". CNN.
- ^ "Simpler to press for fiscal reforms in bid for second term as State Treasurer". Delaware Business Now. November 7, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ Jason Rosenbaum & Jo Mannies (July 13, 2018). "Politically Speaking: Breaking down two high-stakes statewide contests on Missouri's primary ballot". St. Louis Public Radio. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- ^ "Schweitzer listed as possible energy secretary in 2008". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. November 6, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
- ^ Erickson, David (June 2, 2017). "News site Politico says Montana AG Tim Fox won't challenge Tester in '18". Missoulian. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- ^ Bell, Adam (November 8, 2016). "Republican Forest defeats Coleman for NC lieutenant governor". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
- ^ Steinmetz, Katy (10 May 2018). "Governor Ricardo Rosselló: Puerto Rico Is a 'Geopolitical Black Hole'". Time. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
- ^ Rosario, Richy (April 5, 2018). "Carmen Yulin Cruz, Mayor Of San Juan, Reportedly Eyes Governor Seat In Puerto Rico". Vibe. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
- ^ Gehrke, Robert (8 November 2016). "Herbert wins his 3rd election as Utah governor". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ^ Boyd, Hal (29 January 2017). "When it comes to future political leaders, Utah is in 'good hands'". Deseret News. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ Merica, Dan (March 1, 2019). "Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announces 2020 presidential bid". Retrieved March 1, 2019.
- ^ Mandel, Eric (January 11, 2017). "Bill Bryant hints at another run for governor in 2020". My Northwest. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ^ a b "West Virginia Undergoing Political, Generational Change". New York Times. August 3, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2017.