Gubernatorial Round-Up

We did the Senate, now let's look at (interesting) gubernatorial races around the country...

Open Seats:

Arkansas- Democrat Mike Beebe now enjoys a ten-point lead, 48% to 38%, in his struggle with Republican Asa Hutchinson to succeed Mike Huckabee as Governor of Arkansas.

Colorado - Momentum in Colorado's gubernatorial race has shifted to Democrat Bill Ritter.In a match-up of Ritter and Republican Congressman Bob Beauprez, Ritter leads 40% to 33%. Against University of Denver President Marc Holtzman, Ritter leads 41% to 28%.

Florida - Republican candidates Charlie Crist and Tom Gallagher have opened leads over potential Democratic challengers in the race to succeed Jeb Bush as Governor of Florida.

Massachusetts - With the announcement by businessman Christy P. Mihos that he will vie for the job of Massachusetts governor as an Independent, a curve ball has been tossed into the race. But, even with the new candidate line-up, the Democratic candidates still lead by about 10 points.

New York- Popular Attorney General Elliot Spitzer leads in all polls by a substantial margin.

Ohio - Democratic Congressman Ted Strickland continues to lead his potential Republican opponents in the Ohio governor's race. Strickland leads Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell 47% to 35% and leads Attorney General Jim Petro 44% to 37%.

Vulnerable Republican Governors seeking re-election:

California - This race is tight. Democrats State Comptroller Steve Westly and State Treasurer Phil Angelides both lead Arnold Schwarzenegger by just one point according to the latest Rasmussen poll.

Texas - This is, of course, the most interesting race in the nation as it is a potential four-way. However, both Carol Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman must get 45,500 signatures to get on the ballot and that remains to be seen. Polls show Bell registering higher than either of those two but both are significantly taking away votes from him, especially Kinky. Meanwhile, Perry is up to a 48% approval rating. So we just have to see what happens with this one...

Vunerable Democratic Governors seeking re-election:

Illinios - Rod Blagejovich is struggling, but still ahead of all potential Republican challengers.

Maine - John Baldacci has only a 39% approval rating and is registering only a few points ahead of potential Republican challengers. This is gonna be tight.

Michigan - This could be a potential loss. Jennifer Granholm has lost her lead and is now neck-and-neck with the Republican.

Oregon- Incumbent Democrat Ted Kulongoski, faced with a strong challenge for the party nomination, is viewed favorably by just 50% of likely voters, and unfavorably by 46%. His strongest opponent for the nomination, former State Treasurer Jim Hill, is viewed favorably by 54%, unfavorably by 42%. Hill has tangled with Kulongoski before. He finished third in the 2002 primary while Kulongoski went on to win the nomination and his first term as governor.Both Democrats lead all Republican challengers.

Pennsylvania - With the field reduced to two players, the latest Rasmussen Reports election poll shows Democratic Governor Ed Rendell narrowly leading Republican Lynn Swann, the former Pittsburgh Steeler, 46% to 43%.

Wisconsin - Finally, Jim Doyle still has a decent lead in this very Republican state.

Currently, Republicans hold 28 governorships and Democrats hold 22 and given the above, we have a good chance of capturing the most after 2006.