2014 GOVERNOR RACE OVERVIEW [links/logos]

This looked to be a challenging year for Republicans who were defending 22 seats to 14 held by Democrats.  The 29 governors seeking re-election was the highest number in more than 60 years according to the Center on the American Governor.  Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) was defeated in the primaries.  Three incumbents lost their seats in the general election: Govs. Sean Parnell (R-AK), Tom Corbett (R-PA) and Pat Quinn (D-IL). 

When the votes were counted, Republicans achieved a gain of two governorships (+).  The outcome was a rather astounding setback for Democrats.  Not only did Democrats fail to defeat a number of high-profile targets (Rick Scott, Sam Brownback, Paul LePage, and Scott Walker), but they managed to lose in "blue" states such as Illinois, Massachusetts and most surprisingly Maryland, where businessman Larry Hogan surprised Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown.  Democrats fielded weak candidates in a number of states.  In Ohio, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald's campaign never gelled.  Worse were Tennessee, where the Democratic nominee was an unknown 72-year old retired engineer with no political experience, and Nevada, where their nominee finished behind "None of the Above" in the June primary.  There was also the curious case of Alaska where the Democratic nominee, Byron Mallott, ended up as the (successful) candidate for lieutenant governor on the Alaska First Unity ticket.  The RGA's Nov. 5, 2014 post-election memo is very comprehensive.

Jobs and education were the top issues in governor's races this cycle. 

Balance before Nov. 4:  29 Republicans, 21 Democrats.

36 seats at stake:  22 held by Republicans, 14 by Democrats.
 
7 open seats...
3 retirements:  1 Republican, 2 Democrats. 
R: Rick Perry (R-TX).  D: Deval Patrick (D-MA), Lincoln Chafee (D-RI)
4 term-limited:  2 Republicans, 2 Democrats. 
R: Janet Brewer (AZ), Dave Heineman (NE).  D: Mike Beebe (AR), Martin O'Malley (MD)
 
29 Governors seeking re-election:  19 Republicans, 10 Democrats.

1 incumbent Governor defeated in primary:  1 Democrat. 
D: Neil Abercrombie (HI)
 
3 incumbent Governors defeated on Nov. 4:  2 Republicans, 1 Democrats.

R: Sean Parnell (AK), Tom Corbett (PA); D: Pat Quinn (IL)

11 new Governors elected:  7 Republicans, 3 Democrats, 1 Independent. 

R: Doug Ducey (AZ), Asa Hutchison (AR), Bruce Rauner (IL), Larry Hogan (MD), Charlie Baker (MA), Pete Ricketts (NE), Greg Abbott (TX).  D: David Ige (HI), Tom Wolf (PA), Gina Raimondo (RI).  I: Bill Walker (AK)

Of the 36 seats at stake: Republicans won 24, Democrats won 11, Independents won 1.

Balance after Nov. 4:  31 Republicans, 18 Democrats and 1 Independent.

HIGHLIGHTS