Seats up for election. Republican incumbents are red and Democratic incumbents are blue. States without a seat up for reelection are gray. Brighter colors indicate the incumbent is not running for reelection

The United States gubernatorial elections of 2008 will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 in 11 states with 6 of the seats held by Democrats and 5 by Republicans. Image File history File links Current_event_marker. ... This article is about the political process. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... Image File history File links Vote. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  Politics Portal      Further information: Politics of the United States#Organization of American political parties The Democratic... The Republican Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States of America, along with the Democratic Party. ...

These elections will coincide with the presidential election, as well as the elections of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives and countless local elections, state elections, and ballot propositions. A map of the United States showing the number of electoral votes allocated to each state. ... Senate Seats up for election:  Two Republican incumbents Republican incumbent Retiring Republican Democratic incumbent No election Elections for the United States Senate will be held on November 4, 2008, with 34 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested. ... Elections for the United States House of Representatives will be held on November 4, 2008, with all of the 435 seats in the House being contested. ...

Major parties

As of January 2007, there are 22 Republican governors and 28 Democratic governors. The number may change after the 2007 races in Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The Republican Party, often called the GOP (for Grand Old Party, although one early citation described it as the Gallant Old Party) [1], is one of the two major political parties in the United States. ... The Democratic Party is one of two major political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. ... Seats up for election. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  Ranked 37th  - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ...

Election summaries

Two governors are prohibited from seeking re-election in 2008, and a third, while eligible, is thought likely to retire. Further open seats are possible if any of the governors listed below dies, resigns, elects to retire, or is denied re-nomination in their party's primary.

Predictions

The incumbent's name in parentheses indicates an open seat.

There are two notable individuals, a father and son, named Jon Huntsman: Jon Huntsman, Sr. ... John Henry Hoeven III (born March 13, 1957), is a North Dakota banker and Republican politician who is most well known for his current tenure as the Governor of North Dakota. ... James H. Jim Douglas (born June 21, 1951) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Vermont. ... Mitchell Elias Mitch Daniels, Jr. ... Matthew Roy (Matt) Blunt (born November 20, 1970) was elected Governor of Missouri on November 2, 2004. ... Michael Francis (Mike) Easley (born March 23, 1950) is the current governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina. ... Christine OGrady Chris Gregoire (born March 24, 1947) is the Democratic governor of the U.S. state of Washington. ... Ruth Ann Minner (born January 17, 1935) is an American businesswoman and politician from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. ... Brian David Schweitzer (born September 4, 1955) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Montana. ... John H. Lynch (b. ... Joseph (Joe) Manchin III (born August 24, 1947 in Farmington, West Virginia) was elected Governor of West Virginia in the 2004 election and took office on January 17, 2005. ...

Retiring Democratic governors

Ruth Ann Minner (Delaware)

Main article: Delaware gubernatorial election, 2008

Ruth Ann Minner will be term limited in 2008. By 2008, Democrats will have controlled the Delaware governorship for 16 years. Leading Democratic contenders include Lieutenant Governor John Carney and State Treasurer Jack Markell. The next election for Governor of Delaware will take place on November 4, 2008, coinciding with the U.S. presidential election. ... Ruth Ann Minner (born January 17, 1935) is an American businesswoman and politician from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Delaware. ...

Mike Easley (North Carolina)

Main article: North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2008

Mike Easley will be term limited in 2008. By 2008, Democrats will have controlled the North Carolina governorship for 16 years. State Treasurer Richard H. Moore announced his candidacy for Governor in May 2007. Democratic Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue is currently considered the frontrunner to succeed Easley. State Senator Fred Smith and attorney Bill Graham are considered the Republican frontrunners. The next election for North Carolinas Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other Council of State members will take place on November 4, 2008, coinciding with the U.S. presidential election. ... Michael Francis (Mike) Easley (born March 23, 1950) is the current governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina. ... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest City = Charlotte Largest city {{{LargestCity}}} Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (901 km)  - % water 9. ... Richard Hancock Moore is the current North Carolina State Treasurer, first elected to that post in 2000 and re-elected in 2004. ... Beverly Eaves Perdue is the current lieutenant governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina. ... Fred Smith is a Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the states twelfth Senate district, including constituents in Johnston and Wayne counties. ... Bill Graham (born 1960) is an American businessman and practicing attorney at Wallace and Graham, PA in Salisbury, North Carolina. ...

Democratic incumbents

Togiola Tulafono (American Samoa)

Main article: American Samoa gubernatorial election, 2008

American Samoa's Togiola Tulafono is up for reelection in 2008. He won his first term 55.7% to 44.3% in the 2004 run-off. Togiola Talalelei A. Tulafono (born 1947) is the Governor of American Samoa. ...

Brian Schweitzer (Montana)

Main article: Montana gubernatorial election, 2008

Brian Schweitzer of Montana is favored to win re-election. Steve Daines, a Bozeman businessman whose name had been mentioned as a possible opponent to Schweitzer, has announced that he will not run, but Bob Keenan, a former state senator from Bigfork, has hinted that he may either run against Schweitzer or challenge Max Baucus for the senate seat. Schweitzer Campaign website United States gubernatorial elections, 2008 Category: ... Brian David Schweitzer (born September 4, 1955) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Montana. ... Official language(s) English Capital Helena Largest city Billings Area  Ranked 4th  - Total 147,165 sq mi (381,156 km²)  - Width 255 miles (410 km)  - Length 630 miles (1,015 km)  - % water 1  - Latitude 44°26N to 49°N  - Longitude 104°2W to 116°2W Population  Ranked...

John Lynch (New Hampshire)

Main article: New Hampshire gubernatorial election, 2008

In New Hampshire, John Lynch is favored to win re-election. Former congressman Charlie Bass, who lost his House seat in 2006, has been suggested as a possible Republican candidate,^{[citation needed]} but has not announced a run. Official language(s) English Capital Concord Largest city Manchester Area  Ranked 46th  - Total 9,350 sq mi (24,217 km²)  - Width 68 miles (110 km)  - Length 190 miles (305 km)  - % water 4. ... John H. Lynch (b. ... Charles Foster Bass (born January 8, 1952) is a member of the United States House of Representatives for the second district of New Hampshire. ...

• John Lynch for New Hampshire official campaign site

Aníbal Acevedo Vilá (Puerto Rico)

Main article: Puerto Rico gubernatorial election, 2008

Aníbal Acevedo Vilá of Puerto Rico is up for a second term in 2008. In 2004, Acevedo narrowly beat former Governor and Senator Pedro Rosselló, also a Democrat, by a mere 3,566 votes. Aníbal Salvador Acevedo Vilá (born February 13, 1962) is the eighth and current Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. ... Pedro Juan Rosselló González, M.D. [pronounced “roh-seh-yóh”] (born April 5, 1944 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican politician who was the sixth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 2001. ...

Republican at-large Resident Commissioner Luis Fortuño, who announced in December 2006 that he would not again seek reelection to his current post, is running against him. Senator Rosselló has also announced that he will permit his name to appear in the 2008 ballot, although he has consistently stated that he is not interesed in returning to the Governor's Mansion. The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is a nonvoting representative of the United States House of Representatives elected by Puerto Ricans every 4 years. ... Luis Fortuño, Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Luis G. Fortuño (born October 31, 1960) is a corporate lawyer and politician from Puerto Rico affiliated with the New Progressive Party and the United States Republican Party. ...

It remains to be seen if the Federal District Attorney's investigation into Acevedo's alleged corruption schemes when he was in Congress will affect his candidacy and chances of winning re-election. Caguas Mayor and former Puerto Rico Democratic Party Chairman, Gen. William Miranda Marín has stated that should Acevedo be indicted or resign, he would be interested in running for Governor. William Willie Miranda Marín (born on September 23, 1940) is the mayor of Caguas, Puerto Rico. ...

The Puerto Rican Independence Party's candidate will be Edwin Irizarry Mora, while a fourth candidate, Rogelio Figueroa (Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party), will run on a "Green Party" platform. Rogelio Figueroa (born September 1963 in Ceiba, Puerto Rico) is the 2008 gubernatorial candidate for the Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico (PPR) party, a registered political party in the U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. ...

Christine Gregoire (Washington)

Main article: Washington gubernatorial election, 2008

Christine Gregoire is perhaps best known for having won in 2004 by 133 votes in the third official count, after having lost the initial count by 261 votes and the first recount by 24 votes. Her 2004 opponent, former State Senator Dino Rossi, is presumed to be her Republican opponent, but his candidacy has not been confirmed. By 2008, Democrats will have controlled the Washington governorship for 24 years. The Washington gubernatorial election, 2008 is an election for the Governor of Washington and will be held on November 4, 2008. ... Christine OGrady Chris Gregoire (born March 24, 1947) is the Democratic governor of the U.S. state of Washington. ... 2004 Gubernatorial Election County Map of Washington. ... Dino Rossi (born October 15, 1959 in Seattle, Washington, USA) is a former Washington State Senator and Republican Governor of Washington in the 2004 election, one of the closest elections in state history. ...

Joe Manchin (West Virginia)

Main article: West Virginia gubernatorial election, 2008

Joe Manchin will likely seek reelection in West Virginia. Republican Bob Adams of Jefferson County is the only candidate to have officially announced. Joseph (Joe) Manchin III (born August 24, 1947 in Farmington, West Virginia) was elected Governor of West Virginia in the 2004 election and took office on January 17, 2005. ... Official language(s) English Capital Charleston Largest city Charleston Area  Ranked 41st  - Total 24,244 sq mi (62,809 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 240 miles (385 km)  - % water 0. ...

Republican incumbents

Mitch Daniels (Indiana)

Main article: Indiana gubernatorial election, 2008

Mitch Daniels may be vulnerable. While Indiana has not voted Democratic for President since 1964, Daniels is the first Republican elected governor in 20 years. His approval rating has not risen above 50% since 2005, and has been especially low in the wake of his prominent June 2006 deal to privatize the Indiana Toll Road by selling 75 year operation rights to a foreign consortium. Some speculators believe that because Daniels was not on the ticket in 2006, public outrage over the sale of the toll road contributed to the 2006 defeats of three Republican congressmen in Indiana, Chris Chocola, John Hostettler, and Mike Sodrel. Daniels is currently facing a lawsuit from outraged truckers and commuters who claim that the decision to privatize the road went over the heads of the people, and the issue as a whole has made him very unpopular in Indiana. The Indiana gubernatorial election, 2008 is an election for the Governor of Indiana and will be held on November 4, 2008. ... Mitchell Elias Mitch Daniels, Jr. ... Official language(s) English Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis Area  Ranked 38th  - Total 36,418 sq mi (94,321 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 270 miles (435 km)  - % water 1. ... Indiana Toll Road Length: 156. ... Joseph Christopher Chris Chocola (born February 24, 1962) has, since 2003, been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Indianas 2nd congressional district (map). ... John Nathan Hostettler (born June 19, 1961), American politician, is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives. ... Rep. ...

Democrat Tim Roemer, a former congressman and member of the 9/11 Commission, would be among the strongest challengers to Daniels for the Governorship. Timothy J. Roemer is a Democratic politician in the United States. ...

Democratic Congressman Baron Hill has been mentioned as a possible strong challenger to Daniels.^[2] Baron Paul Hill (born June 23, 1953) is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives for Indianas 9th congressional district. ...

State Senate Minority Leader Richard Young and wealthy Indianapolis architect Jim Schellinger announced their separate candidacies for Governor in early 2007. Former Congresswoman and Undersecretary of Agriculture Jill Long Thompson announced her candidacy in early July 2007. Richard Young is an American actor who has starred in film and in television. ... Jim Schellinger (April 30, 1960) is the active President of CSO Architects in Indianapolis, IN. On March 19, 2007, he filed his candidacy to run for Governor against incumbent Republican Mitch Daniels. ... Jill Lynette Long Thompson (July 15, 1952) Is an American politician and educator. ...

Matt Blunt (Missouri)

Main article: Missouri gubernatorial election, 2008

Matt Blunt may be the most vulnerable incumbent governor seeking re-election. Blunt's approval rating was the nation's second-lowest after Governor Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky for much of 2007, though is approval rating has improved and approached 50% in a May poll conducted by SurveyUSA. Blunt's Democratic opponent will likely be four-term Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon. The Missouri gubernatorial election, 2008 is an election for the Governor of Missouri and will be held on November 4, 2008. ... Matthew Roy (Matt) Blunt (born November 20, 1970) was elected Governor of Missouri on November 2, 2004. ... Official language(s) English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Largest metro area St Louis[1] Area  Ranked 21st  - Total 69,709 sq mi (180,693 km²)  - Width 240 miles (385 km)  - Length 300 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... Jeremiah W. Jay Nixon Jeremiah W. Jay Nixon is an American politician from Missouri. ...

John Hoeven (North Dakota)

Main article: North Dakota gubernatorial election, 2008

John Hoeven is not term-limited in 2008, and may run for reelection. Hoeven has said he will announce his decision on whether or not he will run again in the fall of 2007. John Henry Hoeven III (born March 13, 1957), is a North Dakota banker and Republican politician who is most well known for his current tenure as the Governor of North Dakota. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Jon Huntsman, Jr. (Utah)

Main article: Utah gubernatorial election, 2008

Jon Huntsman, Jr. is favored to win re-election in Utah. By 2008, Republicans will have controlled the Utah governorship for 24 years. The Utah gubernatorial election will be held November 4, 2008. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ...

Jim Douglas (Vermont)

Main article: Vermont gubernatorial election, 2008

Jim Douglas is favored to win re-election should he seek it. By 2008, he will have been governor of Vermont for 6 years, or 3 terms. Secretary of State Deb Markowitz is rumored as a possible candidate. James H. Jim Douglas (born June 21, 1951) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Vermont. ... Official language(s) None Capital Montpelier Largest city Burlington Area  Ranked 45th  - Total 9,620 sq mi (24,923 km²)  - Width 80 miles (130 km)  - Length 160 miles (260 km)  - % water 3. ... Deborah Deb Markowitz is Vermonts Secretary of State. ...

See also

• United States Senate elections, 2008
• United States House elections, 2008
• United States presidential election, 2008

Senate Seats up for election:  Two Republican incumbents Republican incumbent Retiring Republican Democratic incumbent No election Elections for the United States Senate will be held on November 4, 2008, with 34 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested. ... Elections for the United States House of Representatives will be held on November 4, 2008, with all of the 435 seats in the House being contested. ... A map of the United States showing the number of electoral votes allocated to each state. ...

References