Governor News & Analysis

Gubernatorial Losers Descend on Next Congress

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 6, 2016 · 9:15 AM EST

Getting to know your new classmates is always an awkward experience, but a handful of new House members will have at least one thing in common: losing a race for governor.

Two years ago, Democrat Anthony Brown lost the Maryland gubernatorial race to Republican Larry Hogan in an upset, 51…

Donald Trump, Golden Shepherds, and the 2016 Election

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 2, 2016 · 3:00 PM EST

I missed it. The most important election of my kids’ lifetimes and I missed it. I just didn’t see how the Golden Shepherd would defeat the Monarch Butterfly to become the official mascot of their public elementary school.

All the data pointed to a Monarch victory. A majority of the…

Gubernatorial Races Headed for Photo Finish

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 3, 2016 · 3:57 PM EDT

Unsurprisingly, there is late movement in a handful of gubernatorial races.

In Vermont, Democrats are banking on former Democrat Sue Minter being pulled across the finish line by the Democratic lean of the Green Mountain State, and we often put a heavy weight on fundamentals. But GOP Lt. Gov Phil…

Ratings Shift in Six Races for Governor

by Nathan L. Gonzales October 14, 2016 · 3:27 PM EDT

A dozen states will vote for governor next month, but you’d hardly know it from the avalanche of media coverage surrounding the presidential race and fight for the Senate. 

Unlike the Senate map, where Republicans are defending more states than Democrats, Democrats are defending more governorships than Republicans this year,…

Republicans Target Governorship in Bernie Sanders’ Vermont

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 18, 2016 · 9:30 AM EDT

Sen. Bernie Sanders believes his political revolution will elect progressive candidates around the country, but Republicans have their sights set on electing a governor in his home state.

Even though Vermont is viewed as a liberal New England state, it wasn’t that long ago that it had a Republican…

Don’t Fall Asleep on Races for Governor

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 5, 2016 · 3:57 PM EDT

With most of the national focus on Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and the presidential race, and any scraps of attention going to the fight for the Senate, it’s easy to overlook a handful of competitive races for governor around the country.

The biggest development in the last few weeks…

Ratings Change: North Carolina Governor

May 19, 2016 · 2:56 PM EDT

Pat McCrory was the first Republican elected governor of North Carolina in over 20 years, so it’s no surprise that his re-election is challenging. But the governor looked like a narrow favorite this year until the nationwide controversy over House Bill 2: Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. 

The…

Indiana Governor: How Vulnerable is Mike Pence?

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 5, 2016 · 1:58 PM EST

Republican Mike Pence’s shift from the U.S. House of Representatives to governor was supposed to make it easier for him to run for President. But he and the Republicans in the Indiana Legislature created a national firestorm last year over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). And now there…

Report Shorts (February 5, 2016) California, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee

February 5, 2016 · 1:55 PM EST

California’s 48th District. Just two years removed from Dave Brat’s primary upset of Majority Leader Eric Cantor in Virginia, GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of Orange County isn’t taking his primary challenger seriously. But what may look like movement against the congressman is more likely preparation for when he retires. 

Beshear Looks Back, Forward on Kentucky’s Political Landscape

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 17, 2016 · 8:58 AM EST

In 2014, Steve Beshear sat in the first lady’s box during the State of the Union as President Barack Obama applauded the Democratic governor’s work on health care in Kentucky. Just two years later, Beshear is out of office and feuding with his Republican successor, who vowed to undo…