Governors Races, 2011-12
U.S. Senate  |  U.S. House (plus Reapportionment and Redistricting)  |  Governors 

revised April 11, 2013                  

Balance before Nov. 6 was 29 Republicans, 20 Democrats and 1 Independent.
11 seats at stake: 8 held by Democrats, 3 by Republicans.
3 retirements, all Democrats.
2 term-limited: 1 Democrat and 1 Republican.
Of 6 Governors seeking re-election in 2012, 6 succeeded.*
5 new Governors elected.
*
Balance after Nov. 6 was 30 Republicans, 19 Democrats and 1 Independent.
*This does not include Puerto Rico, where Alejandro Garcia Padilla (PDP) defeated
Gov. Luis Fortuño (PNP).
Overview [graphic and results]
First on deck was the Wisconsin
recall.  Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett won the closely fought May 8 primary, setting the stage for a rematch of the 2010 campaign; in the June 5 general election Walker prevailed again.  Beyond that special situation, elections were held in 11 states (there were also elections in PR and AS).  Of the 22 major party nominees only one was a woman, former State Senate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan (D) in New Hampshire.  The closest race in the 50 states was in Montana, where Attorney General Steve Bullock (D) defeated former U.S. Rep. Rick Hill (R) by 48.90% to 47.34%.  (The race in Puerto Rico was even closer; Alejandro Garcia Padilla (PDP) ousted Gov. Luis Fortuño (PNP)  by 47. 73% to 47.13%). 
The five new governors are Republicans Mike Pence (IN) and Pat McCrory (NC) and Democrats Steve Bullock (MT), Maggie Hassan (NH) and Jay Inslee (WA), plus Alejandro Garcia Padilla (PR).
See also: NGA  |  DGA (organization)  |  RGA (organization)  |  Governors Races 2010

Primary
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLICAN

DE
Sept. 11
*Gov. Jack Markell
businessman Jeff Cragg

IN
May 8
former IN House Speaker John Gregg
U.S. Rep. Mike Pence
[Mitch Daniels (term limited)]

businessman/former "Survivor" contestant Rupert Boneham (Lib.)
MO
Aug. 7
*Gov. Jay Nixon
businessman Dave Spence
Jim Higgins (Lib.)
MT
June 5
Attorney General Steve Bullock / Adjutant General, General John Walsh (ret.)
[Brian Schweitzer (term limited)]

former U.S. Rep. Rick Hill / State Sen. Jon Sonju

NH
Sept. 11
fmr State Sen. Majority Leader Maggie Hassan
[John Lynch (annc'd not seeking re-election on  Sept. 15, 2011)]

attorney Ovide Lamontagne
John Babiarz (Lib.)
NC
May 8
Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton
[Beverly Purdue (annc'd not seeking re-election on Jan. 26, 2011)]

former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory
homemaker and freq. candidate Barbara Howe (Lib.)
ND
June 12
State Sen. Majority Leader Ryan Taylor / Ellen Chaffee
*Gov. Jack Dalrymple / Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley
UT
June 26
businessman Peter Cooke / Vince Rampton *Gov. Gary Herbert / Lt. Gov Greg Bell
VT
Aug. 28
*Gov. Peter Shumlin
former State Auditor Randy Brock
note Progressive party chair Martha Abbott won primary but declined nomination
WA
Aug. 7
U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee
Gov. Christine Gregoire (annc'd not seeking re-election on June 13, 2011)]
Attorney General Rob McKenna

WV
May 8
*Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin
businessman Bill Maloney
teacher Phil Hudok (Const.)
farmer/retired engineer David Moran (Lib.)





PR

Alejandro García Padilla (PPD)
*Gov. Luis Fortuño (PNP)
Juan Dalmau (PIP)
AS

Lt. Gov. Fāoa Aitofele Sunia / [Gov. Togiola Tulafono (term limited)]



Wisconsin Recall

Primary
General
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLICAN

WI
May 8
June 5
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett
Gov. Scott Walker
physician Hari Trivedi (Indep.)

2011

Primary
General
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLICAN

WV May 14 Oct. 4
Earl Ray Tomblin
Bill Maloney
Bob Henry Baber (GMP)
KY
May 17
Nov. 8
Steve Beshear/Jerry Abramson
David Williams/Richie Farmer
Gatewood Galbraith and Dea Riley (Ind.)
MS
Aug. 2
Nov. 8
(Aug. 23 runoff) Johnny DuPree
Phil Bryant [Haley Barbour (term limited)]

LA
Oct. 22


Bobby Jindal (Oct. 22)