All articles tagged with #gubernatorial elections
Francesca Hong, a progressive candidate, led Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary by double digits in recent polls but was edged out by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley by 0.5 percentage points. The result raises questions about polling accuracy for progressive candidates and suggests late shifts, endorsements, and strategic voting may have helped Crowley overturn a large polling lead.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, facing a tough reelection, tapped former Mesa mayor John Giles—a lifelong Republican who recently became an independent—as her running mate to broaden appeal to independents in a partisan race against Rep. Andy Biggs, who has President Trump’s endorsement; the race is viewed as Lean Democratic by Cook Political Report.
Francesca Hong, a Wisconsin state representative and democratic socialist, is gaining traction in the state’s Democratic primary for governor in a swing-state backdrop, despite early doubts and GOP opposition. Her progressive platform—including tax surcharges on the wealthy and expanded programs—has drawn both support and controversy, with Republicans spending heavily to stop her and even Wisconsin’s outgoing governor weighing in to slow her surge. If her coalition broadens beyond liberal urban areas, her candidacy could reshape Wisconsin’s political landscape in a race Trump won twice.
The Washington Post revisits a 2013 effort to crack down on a polygamist group’s local police force in rural Arizona, noting then-state Senate President Andy Biggs faced criticism for blocking reforms. As Biggs pursues the GOP nomination for Arizona governor, critics argue his past handling of corruption and abuse cases could complicate a swing-state campaign.
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) lost the Democratic primary for Colorado governor to Attorney General Phil Weiser, making him one of a small number of sitting senators to run for governor and fall short; the piece notes this isn’t unprecedented, citing past examples such as Texas Gov. Rick Perry defeating Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in 2010 and Indiana’s Sen. William Jenner in 1948, after which Jenner remained in the Senate.
Democrat Hannah Pingree, endorsed by outgoing Gov. Janet Mills, and Republican Bobby Charles won their party nominations in Maine’s crowded governor’s race after ranked-choice runoffs, setting up a November contest to replace Mills.
President Donald Trump is considering endorsing both remaining Republican candidates in South Carolina's governor's race—Lt. Gov. Pam Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson—part of hedging bets to avoid alienating conservative activists in the runoff.
Billionaire health executive Rick Jackson defeated Trump-endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in Georgia’s GOP gubernatorial runoff and will face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms in the general election to replace term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp, as Trump’s influence in Georgia politics remains a key backdrop.
Anger over the energy-hungry data-center boom is shaping politics from local Ohio parks to the national stage, but both parties are avoiding broad bans as they weigh energy costs, environmental impacts, and economic consequences; in Ohio, residents near an AWS site mobilize ahead of midterms and Gov. DeWine paused tax incentives, highlighting the tightrope politicians tread on data-center policy.
Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra was defeated by Zach Lahn in Iowa’s GOP gubernatorial primary, with Lahn leading by less than a percentage point as more than 98% of votes were counted; Feenstra’s loss marks a setback to Trump’s grip on GOP nominations, as Lahn advances to face Democrat Rob Sand in the general election.
The Virginia redistricting fight is undermining Governor Abigail Spanberger’s reputation as a moderate Democrat, as partisan map battles, immigration policy debates, and affordability proposals reshape her image and agenda ahead of midterm elections.
Greg Abbott won the Texas Republican gubernatorial primary, setting up his bid for a fourth term; a close Trump ally, he has led Texas on a conservative policy path, and polls show him as the favorite to win in November.
Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel, a Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, ended his campaign, saying he could not support the national GOP’s ‘retribution’ on Minnesotans and decrying ICE operations there as an ‘unmitigated disaster,’ a move highlighting ongoing intra-party tensions.
Adam Spanberger, a computer engineer and cyclist, becomes Virginia’s first male gubernatorial spouse as his wife Abigail Spanberger takes office as governor. He says he plans to work behind the scenes to support her administration and will advocate for stronger public education funding, including resources for teachers, school buildings, counselors, and arts programs.
Recent YouGov surveys show Democrats leading in the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races, with Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill holding significant advantages over their Republican opponents, Winsome Earle-Sears and Jack Ciattarelli, respectively, based on likely voter preferences.