Capitol Comments

GOP Picks up Two Governor’s Seats

By Heather Perkins, CSG Membership Data Manager

Republicans won the two governor’s races on Tuesday’s ballot, both in states won by Democrat Barack Obama in last year’s presidential race.

Former Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell defeated Democratic state Sen. Creigh Deeds by double digits—59 percent to 41 percent—to reclaim the Virginia governor’s office for Republicans.

In New Jersey, incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine lost the governor’s office to Republican Chris Christie 49 percent to 45 percent. Christie is a former U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. Christie’s running mate, Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno, will now become New Jersey’s first lieutenant governor.

The losses shrink the Democrats’ advantage in governor’s offices to 26 to 24.

It was a clean sweep for Republicans in Virginia, where the GOP won all three executive races on the ballot.

Voters Reject Abortion Restrictions

Voters in three states rejected proposals to limit or prohibit abortions.

California voters rejected a proposition to require parental or legal guardian notification and a 48-hour waiting period for a minor to obtain an abortion. More than 52 percent of voters opposed the proposition, according to The Sacramento Bee.

Californians have been debating the issue for nearly two decades, according to The San Francisco Chronicle. Twenty-two states require parental consent for a minor to have an abortion, while 10 states require only notification, and two others require both notification and consent, according to the Chronicle.

California voters narrowly rejected similar notification measures in 2005 and 2006.

Three States Ban Gay Marriage

Three states banned gay marriage in Tuesday’s election, although California had allowed same-sex couples to marry since June.

California, Arizona and Florida joined 27 other states defining marriage as a union of one man and one woman, according to The New York Times. The amendment in California effectively ended same-sex marriage, although civil unions are still allowed. That leaves Massachusetts and Connecticut as the only states where same-sex marriage is legal.

California voters approved the amendment to ban same-sex marriage with 52 percent of the vote. The cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco, and Santa Clara County, as well as several civil rights and gay rights groups, said on Wednesday that they would sue to block the ban, according to the Times.

This was the second attempt in Arizona to ban same-sex marriage. Voters rejected a similar measure in 2006, but that one included a provision that would have barred civil unions and domestic partner benefits. The Arizona Republic reports that age and religion factored into people’s stand on the issue.

Possible Recounts in Montana’s House Races Could Shift Party Control

Too-close-to-call races in Montana’s House have some heading for a recount.

One of those races is Montana’s House District 58 where Republican Krayton Kerns holds a very slim 22-vote margin over Democrat Don Woerner, according to the Billings Gazette. 

The ballot count Wednesday morning had Kerns ahead of Woerner 2,321 votes to 2,299 votes, the newspaper reports. Those numbers won't change until Monday when statewide counties simultaneously count their provisional ballots and determine which ones are valid, according to the newspaper.

If there is a recount, it will not take place until after Montana’s secretary of state finalizes the statewide election results, the Billings Gazette reports. 

Right now, the Republicans control the state’s Senate but control of the House is still up in the air. The House was previously controlled by the Republicans, but if a possible recount rules in favor of a Democrat, Republicans may lose that control.

If there are no changes from possible recounts, officials believe the House will be split 50-50, according to the Billings Gazette.

If the 50-50 tie holds in the House, the Democrats will choose the speaker of the House and guide its organization, because in the state of Montana the leader in a split legislative house goes to the political party of the governor, the newspaper reports.

ELECTION 2008: Democrats Sweep West Virginia State Offices

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III, a Democrat, was elected to a second term Tuesday, defeating former Republican state Sen. Russ Weeks with 70 percent of the votes.

Democrats retained control of the statewide offices in West Virginia, capturing all six seats.

Four incumbents won second terms: Attorney General Darrell McGraw, Treasurer John Perdue, Auditor Glen B. Gainer III, and Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass.

Natalie Tennant was elected secretary of state.

For more on these races, visit the CSG Elections Center.

ELECTIONS 2008: South Dakota Legislature Faces Possible Recounts

Five possible recounts in South Dakota’s Legislature could have some seats changing party hands.
In South Dakota House District 11, a possible recount could determine the second seat for the district.

Republican Todd Schlekeway held a solid lead with 6,702 votes, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. The second and third spots were separated only by 140 votes with Democrat Darrell D. Solberg just ahead of Republican Mark K. Willadsen.

In State House District 18, there’s a possible recount to determine the second seat for the district. Nick G. Moser, a Republican, is just 214 votes ahead of Garry A. Moore, a Democrat. If Moore wins in the recount, District 18 for South Dakota’s House will go entirely to the Democrats.

ELECTION 2008: Republicans Sweep Utah State Offices

Republican Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. led a GOP sweep of statewide offices in Utah.

He defeated Democrat Bob Springmeyer to capture a second term.

Other Republicans elected in Utah are:

• Incumbent Lt. Gov. Gary R. Herbert;

• Incumbent Attorney General Mark Shurtleff;
• Richard K. Ellis as treasurer; and
• Auston G. Johnson III as auditor.

For more on these races, visit the CSG Elections Center.

ELECTION 2008: Gregoire Wins Rematch in Washington Governor’s Race

Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire handily won re-election in a rematch from the 2004 race.

Gregoire defeated Republican Dino Rossi for the second time, though the rematch was more decisive.

The 2004 race ended bitterly in court, according to The Olympian of Olympia, Wash.
Democrat Brad Owen was elected lieutenant governor.

In other statewide races, two incumbent Republicans retained their seats. Sam Reed was elected secretary of state; and Rob McKenna was elected attorney general; while incumbent Mike Kreidler, a Democrat, was re-elected insurance commissioner.

Three incumbent officeholders lost their seats: Auditor Brian Sonntag, a Democrat, was defeated by J. Richard McEntee; Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland, a Republican, was defeated by Peter J. Goldmark; and Superintendent of Public Instruction Teresa Bergeson was defeated by Randy Dorn in the nonpartisan race. Republican Allan Martin was elected treasurer.

ELECTION 2008: Vermont Governor Wins Re-Election

Vermont Gov. James Douglas, a former president of The Council of State Governments, will return to the governor’s mansion after a resounding win Tuesday night.

Douglas defeated state Rep. Gaye Symington, a Democrat, to retain his seat.

Brian E. Dubie, also a Republican, retained his seat as lieutenant governor.

It was a good night for incumbents, all Democrats, in other statewide races. Deb Markowitz was re-elected secretary of state; William H. Sorrell was re-elected attorney general; Jeb Spaulding was re-elected treasurer; and Thomas M. Salmon was re-elected state auditor.

For more on these races, visit the CSG Elections Center.

ELECTION 2008: Montana Secretary of State’s Race Too Close to Call

Montana’s Secretary of State Brad Johnson has a race that’s too close to call … his own.
Results from Tuesday’s election show Johnson trailing Democrat Linda McCulloch 49 percent to 48 percent, according to the Billings Gazette. McCulloch, a former school librarian, held a 4,000 vote lead with 96 percent of the votes counted.

In other statewide races, incumbent Brian Schweitzer handily defeated Roy Brown for a second term as governor; and John Bohlinger will return as lieutenant governor.

Steve Bullock was elected attorney general; Monica J. Linden was elected state auditor; and Denis Juneau was elected superintendent of public instruction. All three are Democrats. Incumbent Brad Molnar, a Republican, was re-elected to the state Public Service Commission. He’ll be joined by Democrat Gale Gutsche, who defeated incumbent Doug Mood in District 4, and Democrat John Vincent in the District 3 post.

For more on Montana's elections, visit the CSG Elections Center.