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		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

		Republican	Governor Sean R. Parnell • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2010 • Entered office 26 July 2009 upon the resignation of Governor Sarah H. Palin. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 24 August 2010 Primary

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 • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2010 • Appointed: 20 January 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. • Renominated - 24 August 2010 Primary

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 • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2010 • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 18 May 2010 Primary

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

Open		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

Open		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. • Open Chair - 5 January 2010: Media reports indicate Governor Ritter will not run for re-election.
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

Open		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.
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

Open		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.
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

Open		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

Open		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

		Republican	Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2010 • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • Renominated - 25 May 2010 Primary

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

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

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 • Renominated - 8 June 2010 Primary

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

Open		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.
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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: Saturday 22 October 2011 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • 15 August 2010: Announced he would run for re-election in 2011.

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		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

		Democratic	Governor Martin O'Malley • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2010 • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 14 September 2010 Primary

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

		Democratic	Governor Deval L. Patrick • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2010 • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • Renominated - 14 September 2010 Primary

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

Open		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

Open		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.
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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 • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2010 • 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. • Renominated - 11 May 2010 Primary

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

Lost		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. • Lost Primary / No Longer Running
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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 H. Lynch • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2010 • First elected: 2004; re-elected: 2006, 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • Renominated - 14 September 2010 Primary

New Jersey 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2009, 2013. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Christopher J. "Chris" Christie • First elected: 2009 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2013 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

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

Open		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

Open		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 • Open Chair - Six days after having formally announced his candidacy for election in his own right, Governor Paterson officially withdrew his candidacy.
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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 • 10 January 2010: Candidate for the open class 3 Senate seat in 2010.

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. • Renominated - 4 May 2010 Primary

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

Open		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

Open		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

Open		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

Open		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

Open		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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

		Republican	Governor Rick Perry • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2010 • 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 • Renominated - 2 March 2010 Primary

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

		Republican	Governor Gary R. Herbert • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2010 • 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 2 November 2010 • Renominated - 8 May 2010 Convention. There will be a special 2010 election to fill out the remainder of former Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.'s term. Next regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2012.

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

Open		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)
	If no candidate receives 50% of the vote in the November General Election, the state Legislature chooses the next Governor.

Virginia 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2009, 2013. Term Limit: ineligble to immediately succeed after a given 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Robert F. "Bob" McDonnell • First elected: 2009 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2013 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

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

		Democratic	Governor Christine "Chris" 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	acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin • State Senator Earl Ray Tomblin (Democratic) becomes acting Governor when Governor Joe Manchin, III resigns to take office as U.S. Senator: 15 November 2010 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
	2 November 2010: In a special election, Governor Joe Manchin, III (Democratic) is elected to the U.S. Senate Class 1 seat with 53.47% of the vote. Governor Manchin was first elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2008.

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

Open		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.
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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		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
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

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.