Governor News & Analysis

California House: Parties Regroup after Primary

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 14, 2018 · 3:59 PM EDT

Despite the breathless analysis in the run up to California’s Top Two primary, Democrats successfully navigated complicated races and have a nominee in each of their targeted House races. 

Getting locked out of the general election by not finishing in the top two would have been a disappointment and an…

Gubernatorial Primaries Cement November Battles

June 14, 2018 · 3:58 PM EDT

Three more states held gubernatorial primaries on Tuesday, but the general election stage is set in only one. Votes are still being counted in Maine under the state’s new ranked-choice voting  and there’s a runoff in South Carolina. 

Remember this is a huge cycle for governors. Thirty-six of the 50…

Candidate Conversation - Billie Sutton (D)

June 14, 2018 · 3:56 PM EDT

South Dakota Governor - Rating: Solid Republican

Interview Date: June 13, 2018

Date of Birth: March 16, 1984; Burke, South Dakota 

Education: Univ. of Wyoming (2008)

Elected Office: State Senate (elected 2010)

Current Outlook: Rep. Kristi Noem won the GOP nomination 56-44 percent over Attorney General Marty Jackley after a…

Texas Runoffs: Likely New Members Chosen in Four Districts

May 23, 2018 · 1:16 AM EDT

Governor. Greg Abbott (R) elected 2014 (59%). Former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez won the Democratic runoff over Andrew White, son of former Democratic Gov. Mark White (1983-1987). Valdez will face the governor, who won renomination easily with 90 percent in the March 6 primary. If Democrats are going to…

Georgia Primaries: Democrats Choose Abrams while GOPers Move to Runoff

May 23, 2018 · 1:05 AM EDT

Governor. Open; Nathan Deal (R) term-limited. Democrats believed that demographics were shifting Georgia into their column right up until Donald Trump won it 51-46 percent in 2016. Now Democrats are hoping a midterm backlash against the president will give them their first gubernatorial victory in 20 years. House Minority Leader…

Ohio Primaries: Republicans Choose Brown Challenger

May 9, 2018 · 12:21 AM EDT

Senate. Sherrod Brown (D) elected 2006 (56%), 2012 (51%). Rep. Jim Renacci won the GOP nomination in the least suspenseful Senate primary of the night, defeating investment banker Mike Gibbons 47-32 percent. Renacci was also the only GOP congressman to be victorious in a Senate primary last night, as West…

(Mostly) Political One-Liners: Hair in Montana Ads, Let’s Remember Candidates from Kentucky

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 28, 2018 · 10:30 AM EDT

Arizona’s 8th District Special (a): The House majority was in play before the special election and it’s in play after the special election (and more thoughts in the aftermath of the race).

Arizona’s 8th District Special (b): Two months ago, we changed our rating from Solid Republican to…

(Mostly) Political One-Liners: Push Polls Saga, Cynthia Nixon, and Minnesota’s 8th

April 17, 2018 · 3:00 PM EDT

By Nathan L. Gonzales and Leah Askarinam

Arkansas’ 2nd District: Congratulations to Democrat Clarke Tucker’s campaign for using the term “robocalls” in a press release even though the local media referred to them as a “push poll,” which it most likely wasn’t since push polls don’t exist.

Colorado…

(Mostly) Political One-Liners: Arizona 8 Special, Ryan’s Exit, and NFL Fashion

April 12, 2018 · 3:00 PM EDT

by Nathan L. Gonzales and Leah Askarinam

Arizona’s 8th District Special (a): Welcome to the big leagues, Democrat Hiral Tipirneni, who we’re learning hasn’t treated patients since 2011 and settled a malpractice lawsuit.

Arizona’s 8th District Special (b): Nathan told The Arizona Republic that “under normal conditions you…

2018 Gubernatorial Overview: Democrats Rising

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 6, 2018 · 2:30 PM EDT

If you’re wondering about the relevance of gubernatorial elections to federal races, look no further than Pennsylvania.

Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out the congressional map on the grounds that it was a partisan gerrymander. When the Republican-held Legislature drew a new map to try to conform…