2010 Governor's Chairs by State

The Green Papers: 2010 Midterm Election

2010 Governor's Chairs
by State

37 Governor's Chairs up for election in 2010

37 Elected

13 Governor's Chairs not up for election in 2010

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

13 Incumbents renominated by same party

1 Incumbent lost primary - no longer a candidate for this office

1 Republican

287 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 2010 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
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
	Republican	860,472	57.58%	state Representative Robert J. Bentley • 13 July 2010: Won the runoff. 1 June 2010: Received 25% in the primary.
Total		1,494,273	100.00%

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

	Republican	151,318	59.06%	Governor Sean R. Parnell • for Lieutenant Governor: Mead Treadwell
Total		256,192	100.00%

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	938,934	54.33%	Governor Janice K. "Jan" Brewer
Total		1,728,081	100.00%

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	503,336	63.73%	Governor Mike Beebe
Total		789,837	100.00%

California 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Democratic	5,428,458	53.77%	Attorney General and former Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr. • 3 November 2009: Said he is not a candidate and that "there's no need to get going too soon unless you're one of the more obscure personalities." 2 March 2010: Announced he is running. Former Governor Brown has already served 2 terms as Governor-- from 1975 through 1983.
Total		10,095,485	100.00%

Colorado 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
	Democratic	912,005	51.01%	Denver Mayor John W. Hickenlooper • for Lieutenant Governor: Joe Garcia
Total		1,787,730	100.00%

Connecticut 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
	Democratic; Working Families	567,278	49.51%	former Mayor of the City of Stamford Dannel P. "Dan" Malloy • for Lieutenant Governor: Comptroller Nancy Wyman (Democratic)
Total		1,145,799	100.00%

Florida 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Republican	2,619,335	48.87%	Richard L. "Rick" Scott • for Lieutenant Governor: Jennifer Carroll
Total		5,359,735	100.00%

Georgia 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
	Republican	1,365,832	53.02%	former Congressman Nathan Deal • Congressional District 9. 10 August 2010 runoff: 50.2%. Received 24% in the 10 July primary, proceeds to 10 August 2010 Runoff.
Total		2,576,161	100.00%

Hawaii 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Democratic	222,724	57.79%	former Congressman Neil Abercrombie • for Lieutenant Governor: former state Representative Brian E. Schatz. Congressman CD 1
Total		385,385	100.00%

Idaho 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
	Republican	267,483	59.11%	Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter
Total		452,535	100.00%

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

	Democratic	1,745,219	46.79%	Governor Patrick "Pat" Quinn • For Lieutenant Governor: Sheila Simon 27 March 2010: State Democratic Party choose Sheila Simon, daughter of the late U.S. Senator Paul Simon, as the replacement Lieutenant Governor nominee.
Total		3,729,989	100.00%

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

	Republican	592,494	52.27%	former Governor Terry E. Branstad • for Lieutenant Governor: state Senator Kim Reynolds
Total		1,133,430	100.00%

Kansas 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Republican	530,760	63.28%	U.S. Senator Samuel D. "Sam" Brownback • for Lieutenant Governor: state Senator Jeff Colyer
Total		838,790	100.00%

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
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Republican	218,065	37.56%	Waterville Mayor Paul R. LePage
Total		580,538	100.00%

Maryland 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic
	Democratic	1,044,961	56.24%	Governor Martin O'Malley • for Lieutenant Governor: Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown
Total		1,857,880	100.00%

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

	Democratic	1,112,283	47.94%	Governor Deval L. Patrick • for Lieutenant Governor: Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. "Tim" Murray
Total		2,319,963	100.00%

Michigan 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
	Republican	1,874,834	58.11%	Rick Snyder • for Lieutenant Governor: state Representative Brian N. Calley
Total		3,226,088	100.00%

Minnesota 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Democratic-Farmer Labor	919,232	43.63%	former Senator Mark Dayton • for Lieutenant Governor: state Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon
Total		2,107,021	100.00%

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

	Republican	360,645	73.90%	Governor Dave Heineman • for Lieutenant Governor: Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy
Total		487,988	100.00%

Nevada 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
	Republican	382,350	53.36%	Brian E. Sandoval
Total		716,529	100.00%

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

	Democratic	240,346	52.64%	Governor John H. Lynch
Total		456,588	100.00%

New Mexico 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Republican	321,219	53.29%	Doña Ana County Third Judicial District Attorney Susana Martinez • for Lieutenant Governor: former state Representative John A. Sanchez. Certified at Convention
Total		602,827	100.00%

New York 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Democratic; Independence; Working Families	2,911,721	61.12%	Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo • for Lieutenant Governor: Rochester, NY Mayor Robert "Bob" Duffy. 23 September 2010: Received the Working Families Party nomination. 3 June 2010: Announced he will not submit his name for the The Working Families Party nomination. 27 May 2010: Endorsed for Governor by the State Democratic Convention. 26 May 2010: for Lieutenant Governor: Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy. 25 May 2010: Endorsed by the Independence Party. 22 May 2010: Announced he is running. 20 May 2010: Media reports indicate that his candidacy for this office will be announced early next week, on the eve of the State Democratic Convention (which convenes Tuesday 25 May).
Total		4,763,688	100.00%

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

	Republican	1,889,180	49.04%	former Congressman John Richard Kasich • for Lieutenant Governor: Auditor Mary Taylor
Total		3,852,453	100.00%

Oklahoma 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
	Republican	625,506	60.45%	Congressman Mary C. Fallin • Congressman CD 5
Total		1,034,767	100.00%

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
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Democratic; Independent Party of Oregon	716,525	49.29%	former Oregon Governor John A. Kitzhaber
Total		1,453,548	100.00%

Pennsylvania 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Republican	2,172,763	54.49%	Attorney General Tom Corbett • for Lieutenant Governor: Bucks County Commissioner James F. "Jim" Cawley. 16 March 2009: Filed paperwork to form an exploratory committee to run for Governor
Total		3,987,551	100.00%

Rhode Island 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Independent	123,571	36.10%	former Senator Lincoln Davenport "Linc" Chafee • Mr. Chafee was previously affiliated with the Republican Party.
Total		342,290	100.00%

South Carolina 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Republican	690,525	51.37%	state Representative Nikki Randhawa Haley • a.k.a Mrs. William Michael. Received 49% in the 8 June 2010 primary. Won the 22 June 2010 runoff with 65%.
Total		1,344,198	100.00%

South Dakota 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
	Republican	195,046	61.51%	Lieutenant Governor Dennis M. Daugaard • for Lieutenant Governor: Matthew "Matt" Michels
Total		317,083	100.00%

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
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
	Republican	1,041,545	65.03%	Knoxvillle Mayor William "Bill" Haslam • 6 January 2009: Announced candidacy
Total		1,601,549	100.00%

Texas 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
	Republican	2,737,481	54.97%	Governor Rick Perry
Total		4,979,870	100.00%

Utah 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
	Republican	412,151	64.07%	Governor Gary R. Herbert • for Lieutenant Governor: Lieutenant Governor Gregory S. "Greg" Bell
Total		643,307	100.00%

Vermont 2 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Democratic; Working Families	119,543	49.48%	state Senator Peter Shumlin • 24 August 2010 Primary: 18,301 votes
Total		241,605	100.00%

Wisconsin 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

	Republican	1,128,941	52.25%	Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker • for Lieutenant Governor: Rebecca Kleefisch
Total		2,160,832	100.00%

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
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
	Republican	123,780	60.49%	Matt Mead • 17 August 2010 Primary: 28.7%
Total		204,618	100.00%

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
	• Democratic-Farmer Labor
	• Republican
Major Third Parties
	• Constitution
	• Green
	• Green-Rainbow
	• Libertarian
	• Reform
Other Third Parties
	• Alaskan Independence
	• American Constitution
	• American Independent
	• Anti-Prohibition
	• Boston Tea
	• Conservative
	• Free Energy
	• Freedom
	• Independence
	• Independent American
	• Independent Party of Connecticut
	• Independent Party of Oregon
	• Iowa
	• Liberty Union
	• Marijuana
	• Moderate
	• Peace And Freedom
	• Prohibition Party
	• Rent is 2 Damn High
	• Socialist Party USA
	• Socialist Workers Party
	• Taxpayer
	• U.S. Taxpayers
	• United Citizens
	• Working Families
Independents
	• Independent
	• No Party Affiliation
	• Nominated By Petition
	• Nonpartisan
	• Unaffiliated
	• Unenrolled
Write-in/Scattered/otherwise not readily classifiable
	• None of these candidates
	• Scattering
	• 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.