United States gubernatorial elections are scheduled to be held on November 5, 2024, in 11 states and two territories. The previous gubernatorial elections for this group of states took place in 2020, except in New Hampshire and Vermont where governors only serve two-year terms and elected their governors in 2022. In addition to state gubernatorial elections, the territories of American Samoa and Puerto Rico will also hold elections for their governors.
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![]() Term-limited or retiring Democrat Republican incumbent Term-limited or retiring Republican New Progressive incumbent lost renomination Nonpartisan No election |
The elections will take place concurrently with the 2024 presidential election, elections to the House of Representatives and Senate, and numerous state and local elections.
This will be the first election cycle since 2017 that no incumbent Democratic governors will be running for re-election.[a] With the primary defeat of Puerto Rico governor Pedro Pierluisi, this is also the first cycle since 2018 in which an incumbent governor lost renomination.
Partisan composition
editGoing into the election, there are 27 Republican governors and 23 Democratic governors in the United States. This class of governors is made up of 8 Republicans and 3 Democrats. Republicans are defending two governorships in states that Joe Biden won in 2020 (New Hampshire and Vermont) while Democrats are defending one governorship in a state that Donald Trump won in 2020 (North Carolina).[1]
Election predictions
editSeveral sites and individuals published predictions of competitive seats. These predictions looked at factors such as the strength of the incumbent (if the incumbent is running for re-election), the strength of the candidates, and the partisan leanings of the state (reflected in part by the state's Cook Partisan Voting Index rating). The predictions assigned ratings to each seat, with the rating indicating a party's predicted advantage in winning that seat.
Most election predictors use:
- "tossup": no advantage
- "tilt" (used by some predictors): advantage that is not quite as strong as "lean"
- "lean": slight advantage
- "likely": significant, but surmountable, advantage
- "safe" or "solid": near-certain chance of victory
State | PVI | Incumbent | Last race |
Cook June 13, 2024[2] |
IE November 13, 2023[3] |
Sabato June 4, 2024[4] |
RCP July 13, 2024[5] |
ED July 12, 2023[6] |
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Delaware | D+7 | John Carney (term-limited) |
59.5% D | Solid D | Solid D | Safe D | Solid D | Safe D |
Indiana | R+11 | Eric Holcomb (term-limited) |
56.5% R | Solid R | Solid R | Safe R | Likely R | Safe R |
Missouri | R+10 | Mike Parson (term-limited) |
57.1% R | Solid R | Solid R | Safe R | Likely R | Safe R |
Montana | R+11 | Greg Gianforte | 54.4% R | Solid R | Solid R | Safe R | Likely R | Safe R |
New Hampshire | D+1 | Chris Sununu (retiring) |
57.0% R | Tossup | Tossup | Tossup | Tossup | Tossup |
North Carolina | R+3 | Roy Cooper (term-limited) |
51.5% D | Tossup | Tossup | Tossup | Tossup | Tossup |
North Dakota | R+20 | Doug Burgum (retiring) |
65.8% R | Solid R | Solid R | Safe R | Solid R | Safe R |
Utah | R+13 | Spencer Cox | 63.0% R | Solid R | Solid R | Safe R | Solid R | Safe R |
Vermont | D+16 | Phil Scott | 69.2% R | Solid R | Solid R | Safe R | Solid R | Safe R |
Washington | D+8 | Jay Inslee (retiring) |
56.6% D | Lean D | Likely D | Likely D | Likely D | Safe D |
West Virginia | R+22 | Jim Justice (term-limited) |
63.5% R | Solid R | Solid R | Safe R | Solid R | Safe R |
Race summary
editStates
editState | Governor | Party | First elected | Last race | Status | Candidates |
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Delaware | John Carney | Democratic | 2016 | 59.5% D | Term-limited |
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Indiana | Eric Holcomb | Republican | 2016 | 56.5% R | Term-limited |
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Missouri | Mike Parson | Republican | 2018[b] | 57.1% R | Term-limited |
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Montana | Greg Gianforte | Republican | 2020 | 54.4% R | Incumbent renominated |
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New Hampshire | Chris Sununu | Republican | 2016 | 57.0% R | Retiring[11] |
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North Carolina | Roy Cooper | Democratic | 2016 | 51.5% D | Term-limited |
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North Dakota | Doug Burgum | Republican | 2016 | 65.8% R | Retiring[15] |
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Utah | Spencer Cox | Republican | 2020 | 63.0% R | Incumbent renominated |
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Vermont | Phil Scott | Republican | 2016 | 69.2% R | Incumbent renominated |
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Washington | Jay Inslee | Democratic | 2012 | 56.6% D | Retiring[20] |
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West Virginia | Jim Justice | Republican | 2016[c] | 63.5% R | Term-limited |
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Territories
editState | Governor | Party | First elected | Last race | Status | Candidates |
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American Samoa | Lemanu Peleti Mauga | Nonpartisan[d] | 2020 | 60.3% | Running |
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Puerto Rico | Pedro Pierluisi | New Progressive[e] | 2020 | 32.9% PNP | Lost renomination[24] |
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Delaware
editGovernor John Carney was re-elected to a second term in 2020 with 59.5% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the Delaware Constitution in 2024 and cannot seek re-election for a third term. Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long and New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer have announced their candidacies for the Democratic nomination and state House Minority Leader Michael Ramone has announced for the Republican nomination.
Indiana
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Governor Eric Holcomb who was re-elected in the 2020 with 57% of the vote, will be term-limited by the Indiana Constitution in 2024 and cannot seek re-election for a third consecutive term. U.S. Senator Mike Braun has won the Republican nomination, defeating Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, former president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation Eric Doden and former Attorney General Curtis Hill.
Former Republican state Superintendent of Schools Jennifer McCormick won the Democratic nomination, previously switching parties in 2021.[33]
Missouri
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Governor Mike Parson took office on June 1, 2018, upon the resignation of Eric Greitens and was elected to a full term in his own right in 2020 with 57.2% of the vote. Because Parson served more than two years of Greitens' term, he is term-limited by the Missouri Constitution in 2024 and cannot seek re-election for a second full term. Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe won the Republican gubernatorial nomination with 39% of the vote, defeating state Senator Bill Eigel and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.[34] In the Democratic primary, state House Minority Leader Crystal Quade won the nomination.[35]
Montana
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Governor Greg Gianforte was elected in 2020 with 54.4% of the vote. He is running for re-election and defeated State Representative Tanner Smith in the primary.
Businessman Ryan Busse won the Democratic nomination and will face Gianforte in the general election.
New Hampshire
editGovernor Chris Sununu won re-election to a fourth term in 2022. However on July 19, 2023 he announced he would not seek re-election.[36] Former state Senator Chuck Morse and former U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte have announced their campaigns for the Republican nomination.[37][13] In the Democratic primary, former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig[38] and state Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington[39] have declared their candidacies.
North Carolina
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Governor Roy Cooper was re-elected to a second term in 2020 with 51.5% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the North Carolina Constitution in 2024 and cannot seek re-election for a third consecutive term. Attorney General Josh Stein defeated former state Supreme Court justice Michael Morgan for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, while Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson defeated State Treasurer Dale Folwell for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.[40][41][42][43]
North Dakota
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Governor Doug Burgum was re-elected to a second term in 2020 with 65.8% of the vote. In the November 2022 elections, voters amended the North Dakota Constitution to place a limit of two, four-year terms for succeeding governors sworn into office after the amendment's effective date of January 1, 2023.[44] Burgum, sworn into office before the amendment's effective date, remained eligible to run for re-election for a third term. Burgum initially ran for the Republican nomination in the 2024 United States presidential election,[45] but dropped out before the primaries. On January 22, 2024, he announced he would not seek re-election as Governor. United States Representative Kelly Armstrong won the Republican nomination and defeated Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller. [15]
On the other side, state Senator Merrill Piepkorn won the Democratic nomination unopposed.
Utah
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Governor Spencer Cox was elected in 2020 with 63% of the vote and is running for re-election to a second term. He won the Republican primary over conservative state Representative Phil Lyman to be the nominee.[46]
On the other side, state Representative Brian King won the Democratic nomination unopposed.
Vermont
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Governor Phil Scott won re-election to a fourth two-year term in 2022. Because Vermont does not have gubernatorial term limits in its constitution, he is eligible to run for re-election for a fifth term in 2024, and has announced that he will do so.[47] Scott won the August 12 primary unopposed and will face educator Esther Charlestin in the general election.[48]
Washington
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Washington Governor Jay Inslee was re-elected to a third term in 2020 with 56.6% of the vote. Because Washington does not have gubernatorial term limits in its constitution, he is eligible to run for re-election for a fourth term, but he has decided not to seek re-election.[49] State Attorney General Bob Ferguson won the Democratic nomination.[50][51] In the Republican primary, former U.S. representative Dave Reichert won the nomination.[52][53]
West Virginia
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Governor Jim Justice was re-elected to a second term in 2020 with 63.5% of the vote. He is term-limited by the West Virginia Constitution in 2024 and ineligible to seek re-election for a third consecutive term. Justice is running for the United States Senate.
State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey won the Republican nomination, defeating former state Delegate Moore Capito, businessman Chris Miller, and Secretary of State Mac Warner.[54][55][56][57]
Huntington Mayor Steve Williams won the Democratic nomination unopposed.[58][59]
Territories
editAmerican Samoa
editLemanu Peleti Mauga was elected Governor in the 2020 general election with 60.3% of the vote. On April 10, 2024, Mauga and incumbent Lieutenant Governor Eleasalo Ale announced their campaign for reelection under the slogan "E Lavatia le Alofa” — "Love Beareth All."[60] Prior to Magua's announcement, Paramount Chief Mauga Tasi Asuega was advocating for the Governor's reelection.[61] Pula T. I. Nikolao Pula, former Director of the Office of Insular Affairs, announced his candidacy on March 4, 2024.[62] Pula announced High Chief Pulu Ae Ae, Jr., a former faipule for Maʻopūtasi County as his running mate.[61]
Puerto Rico
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Governor Pedro Pierluisi was elected in 2020 with 32.9% of the vote. He announced his re-election campaign on March 20, 2022, during the New Progressive Party's general assembly.[27] However, he was defeated by Jenniffer González-Colón, the resident commissioner, in the New Progressive Party primary election.[24]
Territorial legislator Jesús Manuel Ortiz won the nomination of the Popular Democratic Party.[63] Other candidates include former territorial senator Juan Dalmau of the Puerto Rican Independence Party and San Sebastián mayor Javier Jiménez of Project Dignity.
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ This figure does not include the governors of American Samoa and Puerto Rico, both of which are running for re-election. However, they only affiliate with the Democratic Party on the federal level, and associate differently on the territorial level.
- ^ Parson took office in 2018 after his predecessor (Eric Greitens) resigned. He was subsequently elected in the 2020 Missouri gubernatorial election.
- ^ Governor Jim Justice was originally elected as a Democrat before switching back to a Republican in 2017. Justice won re-election as a Republican in 2020.[22]
- ^ The governor of American Samoa is elected on a non-partisan basis, although individuals do affiliate with national parties, in Mauga's case with the Democratic Party.
- ^ Pierluisi affiliates with the Democratic Party on the national level.
References
edit- ^ Coleman, J. Miles (2023-01-19). "2024 Governors Races: A First Look – Sabato's Crystal Ball". Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "2024 Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- ^ "2024 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ "2024 Governor Races". www.realclearpolling.com. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "Election Ratings". Elections Daily. 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
- ^ a b c d e f "Candidate List". Delaware Department of Elections. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Candidate Information". Indiana Secretary of State. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ a b c "UNOFFICIAL Candidate Filing List". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Federal Primary 2024". Montana Secretary of State. February 22, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Chris Sununu decides against run for reelection". WMUR9. July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "2024 Election Details". New Hampshire Secretary of State. June 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Richards, Charlene (24 July 2023). "Former GOP Senator Kelly Ayotte announces bid for New Hampshire governor". NBC News. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d "2024 Primary Candidate List By Contest - Federal and State Only (PDF)". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ a b "North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum says he won't seek a third term as governor". WCVB5. January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ a b "2024 Primary Election Contest/Candidate List". North Dakota Secretary of State. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ "Coachman running for governor as independent".
- ^ a b c d e "2024 Candidate Filings". The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Utah. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "General Election Candidates". Vermont Secretary of State. May 13, 2024.
- ^ "WA Gov. Jay Inslee won't seek reelection for fourth term". The Seattle Times. May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ^ a b "PRIMARY 2024". Washington Secretary of State. May 6, 2024.
- ^ Tatum, Sophie; Bradner, Eric; Merica, Dan (August 4, 2017). "Jim Justice of West Virginia governor announces plan to switch parties - CNN Politics". CNN.
- ^ a b c d "2024 Candidate Listing". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Coto, Dánica (June 3, 2024). "Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi concedes defeat in surprise primary upset by Jenniffer González". Associated Press. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ "Doctor anuncia su candidatura a la gobernación de manera independiente". Metro World News. November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
- ^ Primera, Hora (March 9, 2023). "¡Gracias!". Primera Hora (in Spanish). Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ a b "Pierluisi calienta motores para las elecciones del 2024". Noticel (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-10-19.
- ^ "Ada Norah Henriquez buscará la gobernación de manera independiente". Telemundo Puerto Rico (in Spanish). 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
- ^ Pérez Méndez, Osman (January 2, 2023). "Dalmau cataloga candidatura de médico a comisionado residente como 'un acto de generosidad y desprendimiento'". Primera Hora (in Spanish). Retrieved January 4, 2023.
- ^ "Alcalde de San Sebastián confirma que aspirará a la gobernación por el Proyecto Dignidad". Metro World News. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ "Cambios en la carrera por la gobernación del PPD crean un nuevo escenario para Jesús Manuel Ortiz y Juan Zaragoza". El Nuevo Dia. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
- ^ Ruiz Kuilan, Gloria (January 21, 2024). "Cuesta arriba para algunos aspirantes independientes recoger los endosos requeridos por ley". El Nuevo Dia (in Spanish). Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ Herron, Arika (May 4, 2023). "Jennifer McCormick is running for governor — as a Democrat". Axios Indianapolis.
- ^ Hancock, Jason (March 22, 2021). "Mike Kehoe passes on 2022 Senate run to focus on 2024 Missouri governor's race". Missouri Independent. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
- ^ "Democrat Crystal Quade shows off roller derby skills in Missouri governor campaign launch video". AP News. 2023-07-09. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ Astor, Maggie (2023-07-19). "Chris Sununu Won't Run for Re-Election as Governor of New Hampshire". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
- ^ "N.H. GOP Gov. Sununu says he will not seek fifth term". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
- ^ Sexton, Adam (2023-07-11). "Manchester Mayor Craig officially launches campaign for governor". WMUR. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
- ^ Sexton, Adam (2023-06-01). "NH Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington launches campaign for governor". WMUR. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
- ^ Schneider, Elena (January 18, 2023). "North Carolina AG Josh Stein launches bid for governor". Politico.
- ^ Schoenbaum, Hannah (September 12, 2023). "Former North Carolina justice enters Democratic primary for governor in 2024". Associated Press.
- ^ Craver, Richard (March 25, 2023). "'Uniquely qualified': Winston-Salem native and NC Treasurer Dale Folwell will run for governor". The Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ Mikkelsen, Emily; Stamps, Brayden (22 April 2023). "Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson announces run for governor at cloudy Ace Speedway rally". Fox 8. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ MacPherson, James (November 8, 2022). "North Dakota voters OK term limits for governor, legislators". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ Gomez, Henry J. (2023-05-26). "A North Dakota governor running for president? You betcha". NBC News. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- ^ Seariac, Hanna (June 25, 2025). "GOP primary called for Gov. Spencer Cox against Phil Lyman". Deseret News. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ "Republican Vermont Gov. Phil Scott is running for reelection to 5th term". Associated Press. 12 May 2024.
- ^ Mearhoff, Sarah (2024-08-13). "Esther Charlestin wins Democratic gubernatorial nod while statewide incumbents cruise to primary victories". VTDigger. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
- ^ Furtado, David (2023-05-01). "Governor Inslee announces he will not seek re-election". KEPR. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ^ Withycombe, Claire (2023-06-01). "What to know about state Sen. Mark Mullet as he joins race for WA governor". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
- ^ Gutman, David; Brunner, Jim (2023-05-02). "WA Attorney General Bob Ferguson announces campaign for governor". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
- ^ Mikkelsen, Drew (July 7, 2023). "Dave Reichert wants to be state's 'servant' as governor". king5.com. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ Sowersby, Shauna (November 11, 2022). "Controversial Richland school board member announces bid for Washington governor in 2024". The Olympian. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ McElhinny, Brad (2022-11-29). "Moore Capito, whose name likely rings a bell, says he's running for West Virginia governor". WV MetroNews. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ Adams, Steven (December 24, 2021). "Chris Miller, Son of Congresswoman Carol Miller, Announces 2024 Run for West Virginia Governor". The Intelligencer. Wheeling-News Register. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "W.Va. Secretary of State Mac Warner announces he will run for governor". WCHS. 2023-01-10. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ "Patrick Morrisey wins Republican nomination for governor in West Virginia primary election". ABC News. 15 May 2024.
- ^ Nolting, Mike (April 5, 2023). "Huntington mayor eyes run for governor as 'a climb worth taking'". West Virginia MetroNews.
- ^ "Steve Williams becomes 1st Democrat to enter West Virginia governor's race". Associated Press. September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Fa’asau, Asi Andrew (April 10, 2024). "Lemanu/ La'apui campaign for the 2024 gubernatorial election officially opens". Samoa News. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Fa’asau, Asi Andrew (March 25, 2024). "Pulu Ae Ae, Jr confirms his run for Lt. Governor with Pula Nikolao Pula". Samoa News. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ Annesley, Rhonda (March 5, 2024). "2024 HOPE: Pula T.I. Nikolau Pula becomes the first to announce his candidacy for Governor". Samoa News. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "Puerto Rico Rep. Jesús Manuel Ortiz wins gubernatorial primary". Voice of America. June 2, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2024.