2009 Governor's Chairs by State

The Green Papers: 2009 General Election

2009 Governor's Chairs
by State

2 Governor's Chairs up for election in 2009

2 Democratic

2 Elected

2 Republican

48 Governor's Chairs not up for election in 2009

26 Open Governor's Chairs (voluntary retirement, seeking other political office, term limits)

1 Incumbent renominated by same party

1 Democratic

16 Candidates seeking a Governor's Chair (Candidates may run under the banner of multiple parties. Hence, the number of parties may be greater than the number of candidates.)

This is a list of the current Governors' chairs, the incumbents occupying them, and the candidacy status of said incumbents. Chairs up for election in the year 2009 are marked as such.

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Gubernatorial Links



Alabama 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Bob Riley • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Alaska 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Sean R. Parnell • Entered office 26 July 2009 upon the resignation of Governor Governor Sarah H. Palin. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Arizona 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: The Governor can not serve for more than 8 years
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Janice K. "Jan" Brewer • Appointed: 2009 (by Governor Janet Napolitano who resigned upon confirmation as Secretary of Homeland Security) • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Arkansas 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Mike Beebe • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

California 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger • First elected in a special election: 2003; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Colorado 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Willliam "Bill" Ritter, Jr. • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Connecticut 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor M. Jodi Rell • succeeded to the Governorship, 1 July 2004, upon the resignation of Governor John Rowland who had announced said resignation on 21 June 2004; First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • Open Chair - 9 November 2009: Said she will not seek re-election in 2010.

Delaware 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Jack A. Markell • First elected: 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Florida 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Charlie Crist • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Open Chair - 12 May 2009: Announced he is running for the U.S. Senate Class 3 Seat in 2010.

Georgia 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Sonny Perdue • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Hawaii 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Linda Lingle • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Idaho 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

Illinois 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Patrick "Pat" Quinn • Entered office 29 January 2009 upon the removal from office of Governor Rod Blagojevich. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

Indiana 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 3-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Mitchell E. "Mitch" Daniels, Jr. • First elected: 2004; re-elected 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Iowa 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Chester "Chet" Culver • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

Kansas 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Mark Parkinson • Entered office: 28 April 2008 upon the ascension of Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Open Chair - Governor Parkinson announced that he does not plan to run for election.

Kentucky 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2007, 2011. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Steven L. "Steve" Beshear • First elected: 2007 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 8 November 2011 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Louisiana 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2007, 2011. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Piyush "Bobby" Jindal • First elected: 2007 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 8 November 2011 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Maine 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms. GOVERNOR is the only Statewide elected officer
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor John Elias Baldacci • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Maryland 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Martin O'Malley • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Massachusetts 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Deval L. Patrick • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

Michigan 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Jennifer M. Granholm • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Minnesota 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Tim Pawlenty • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • Open Chair - 2 June 2009: Announced he would not seek re-election.

Mississippi 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2007, 2011. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Haley Barbour • First elected: 2003; re-elected: 2007 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 8 November 2011 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Missouri 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Jeremiah W. "Jay" Nixon • First elected: 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Montana 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 4-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Brian Schweitzer • First elected: 2004; re-elected: 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Nebraska 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Dave Heineman • Succeeded to the Governor's Chair upon the 20 January 2005 resignation of Governor Mike Johanns; first elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Nevada 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor James Arthur "Jim" Gibbons • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

New Hampshire 2 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2010. Term Limit: None. GOVERNOR is the only Statewide elected officer
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor John Lynch • First elected: 2004; re-elected: 2006, 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

New Jersey 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2005, 2009. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Jon S. Corzine • First elected: 2005 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 3 November 2009 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 2 June 2009 Primary

New Mexico 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor William B. "Bill" Richardson • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

New York 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor David A. Paterson • As Lieutenant Governor, succeeded to the Governorship upon the resignation of Governor Eliot L. Spitzer, effective 17 March 2008 (announced 12 March 2008) • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

North Carolina 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Beverly Eaves "Bev" Perdue • First elected: 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

North Dakota 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor John Hoeven • First elected: 2000; re-elected: 2004, 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012

Ohio 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Ted Strickland • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Oklahoma 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Brad Henry • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Oregon 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 3-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Theodore R. "Ted" Kulongoski • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Pennsylvania 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Edward G. "Ed" Rendell • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Rhode Island 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Donald L. Carcieri • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

South Carolina 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Marshall C. "Mark" Sanford, Jr. • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

South Dakota 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Mike Rounds • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Tennessee 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms. GOVERNOR is the only Statewide elected officer
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Philip N. "Phil" Bredesen • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Texas 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Rick Perry • Lt. Gov. Rick Perry became Governor 21 December 2000 when George W. Bush resigned to take the office of President of the United States. First elected to a full term: 2002, re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

Utah 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Gary R. Herbert • As Lieutenant Governor, succeeded to the Governorship upon the resignation of Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. (Republican), effective 11 August 2009. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • There will be a special 2010 election to fill out the remainder of former Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.'s term.

Vermont 2 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor James H. "Jim" Douglas • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2004, 2006, 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • Open Chair - 27 August 2009: Announced he would not run for re-election

Virginia 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2005, 2009. Term Limit: ineligble to immediately succeed after a given 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Open	Democratic	Governor Timothy M. "Tim" Kaine • First elected: 2005 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 3 November 2009 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Washington 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Christine Gregoire • First elected: 2004; re-elected: 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012

West Virginia 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Joe Manchin, III • First elected: 2004; re-elected: 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Wisconsin 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Jim Doyle • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • Open Chair - Circa 15 August 2009: Announced he will not seek re-election.

Wyoming 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 4-term period. The Wyoming Supreme Court determined on 4 May 2004 that term limits require an amendment to the state constitution rather than, as they were, imposed by a 1992 ballot initiative. At the time, the ruling was not applied to statewide offices. Reference: CATHCART v. MEYER, 2004 WY 49, 88 P.3d 1050, Case Number: 04-32, 04-33, 04-34, Decided: 05/04/2004
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

	Democratic	Governor Dave Freudenthal • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit. Note: The Wyoming Supreme Court determined on 4 May 2004 that term limits require an amendment to the state constitution rather than, as they were, imposed by a 1992 ballot initiative. At the time, the ruling was not applied to statewide offices. Reference: CATHCART v. MEYER, 2004 WY 49, 88 P.3d 1050, Case Number: 04-32, 04-33, 04-34, Decided: 05/04/2004

Political Parties Parties appear in parenthesis and italics when a candidate receives the endorsement of a given Party and/or official sources indicate a candidate's association with a particular Party but only where the Party in question does not appear on the actual ballot as such.

Major Parties
	• Democratic
	• Republican
Major Third Parties
	• Libertarian
Other Third Parties
	• Socialist Party USA
Independents
	• Independent
Write-in/Scattered/otherwise not readily classifiable
	• Write-in

Notes

Candidates for office appear on this page in italics where 'The Green Papers' does not yet have independent confirmation from a legal election authority that the person has been officially certified to appear on the ballot.