By Kelley Arnold and Heather Perkins, CSG Elections Center
Voters in 11 states will choose a governor in the 2008 election. If current polls are any indication, Democrats will emerge victorious in gubernatorial races in Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and West Virginia. Republicans will see victories in North Dakota, Utah and Vermont.
Polls are mixed on the status of the Indiana governorship, but that seat will most likely remain in Republican hands. Missouri, however, will likely go to the Democrats. That leaves North Carolina and Washington as the two wild cards in the race.
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North Carolina: Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue (D) and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory (R) are locked in a tight race for the state’s highest office. Many thought Perdue would have no trouble winning the seat vacated by outgoing Democrat Michael Easley, but the immense popularity of McCrory with members of both parties has left the race in a perpetual back-and-forth in the polls. Projections indicate the race could come down to independent voter turnout come Election Day.
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Washington: In a rematch of the recount-laden gubernatorial race of 2004, incumbent Gov. Christine Gregoire is fighting to hold on to her office against Republican Dino Rossi. While Gregoire won the primary by a slim margin over Rossi earlier this year—Washington has an open primary system where the top two candidates advance to the general election—most polls show the two are locked in a statistical dead heat. This is leading some to wonder if the outcome could be a repeat of the debacle four years ago.
Additional CSG Elections Center resources
State-by-State Coverage
State Executive Races Overview
State Legislative Races Overview
State Judicial Races Overview
State Initiatives & Referenda Appearing on the Ballot
State Political Maps
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