2016 United States gubernatorial elections explained

Election Name:2016 United States gubernatorial elections
Country:United States
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2015 United States gubernatorial elections
Previous Year:2015
Election Date:November 8, 2016
Next Election:2017 United States gubernatorial elections
Next Year:2017
1Blank:Seats up
2Blank:Seats won
Seats For Election:14 governorships
12 states; 2 territories
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Seats Before1:31
Seats After1:33
Seat Change1: 2
Popular Vote1:9,688,153
Percentage1:49.48%
1Data1:4
2Data1:6
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Seats Before2:18
Seats After2:16
Seat Change2: 2
Popular Vote2:9,288,363
Percentage2:47.44%
1Data2:8
2Data2:6
Map Size:320px

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 8, 2016, in 12 states and two territories. The last regular gubernatorial elections for nine of the 12 states took place in 2012. The last gubernatorial elections for New Hampshire, Oregon, and Vermont took place in 2014, as Oregon held a special election due to the resignation of Governor John Kitzhaber, while the governors of New Hampshire and Vermont both serve two-year terms. The 2016 gubernatorial elections took place concurrently with several other federal, state, and local elections, including the presidential election, Senate, and House elections.

The Republican Party won open Democrat-held governorships in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Missouri; and they also held their open seats in Indiana and North Dakota, increasing its total to 33. Democrats finished with 16 governorships, defeating incumbent Pat McCrory in North Carolina and holding open seats in Delaware and West Virginia, with one independent governor in Alaska accounting for the 50th gubernatorial seat.

However, Governor Jim Justice of West Virginia switched his party affiliation to Republican shortly after his inauguration, thereby increasing the number of Republican governors to 34, tying their record set in the 1921 United States gubernatorial elections. As of, this is the last time that Democrats won gubernatorial elections in Montana and West Virginia.

Election predictions

Several sites and individuals publish predictions of competitive seats. These predictions look 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 assign ratings to each state, with the rating indicating the predicted advantage that a party has in winning that seat.

Most election predictors use:

Cook
[1] ! IE
[2] ! Sabato
[3] ! RCP
[4] ! DKE
[5] ! Gov
[6] ! Result
Delaware data-sort-value="-8" D+8 data-sort-value="-69.3" 69.3% D data-sort-value="-58.3" Carney
58.3% D
Indiana data-sort-value="5" R+5 data-sort-value="49.6" 49.6% R data-sort-value="51.4" Holcomb
51.4% R
Missouri data-sort-value="5" R+5 data-sort-value="-54.6" 54.6% D data-sort-value="51.1" Greitens
51.1% R
Montana data-sort-value="7" R+7Steve Bullock data-sort-value="-48.9" 48.9% D data-sort-value="-50.3" Bullock
50.3% D
New Hampshire data-sort-value="-1" D+1 data-sort-value="-52.6" 52.6% D data-sort-value="48.8" Sununu
48.8% R
North Carolina data-sort-value="3" R+3Pat McCrory data-sort-value="54.7" 54.7% R data-sort-value="-49.0" Cooper
49.0% D
North Dakota data-sort-value="10" R+10 data-sort-value="63.1" 63.1% R data-sort-value="76.5" Burgum
76.5% R
data-sort-value="-5" D+5Kate Brown data-sort-value="-49.5" 49.5% D data-sort-value="-50.6" Brown
50.6% D
Utah data-sort-value="22" R+22Gary Herbert data-sort-value="68.3" 68.3% R data-sort-value="66.7" Herbert
66.7% R
Vermont data-sort-value="-18" D+18 data-sort-value="-46.4" 46.4% D data-sort-value="52.9" Scott
52.9% R
Washington data-sort-value="-5" D+5Jay Inslee data-sort-value="-51.4" 51.4% D data-sort-value="-54.2" Inslee
54.2% D
West Virginia data-sort-value="13" R+13 data-sort-value="-50.4" 50.4% D data-sort-value="-49.1" Justice
49.1% D

Race summary

States

StateIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates
Delaware2008Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic hold
nowrap
Indiana2012Incumbent renominated but withdrew.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
nowrap
Missouri2008Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican gain
nowrap
Montana2012Incumbent re-lected.nowrap
New Hampshire2012Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Republican Gain.
nowrap
North Carolina2012Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
nowrap
North Dakota2010Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
nowrap
Oregon2015Incumbent elected to finish term.nowrap
Utah2009Incumbent re-elected.nowrap
Vermont2010Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Republican gain
nowrap
Washington2012Incumbent re-elected.nowrap
West Virginia2010Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic hold
nowrap

Territories

TerritoryIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates
American Samoa2012Incumbent re-elected.nowrap
Puerto RicoPopular Democratic2012Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
New Progressive gain.
nowrap

Statistics

Closest races

States where the margin of victory was under 1%:

North Carolina, 0.22%

States where the margin of victory was between 1% and 5%:

New Hampshire, 2.27%
Puerto Rico, 2.93%
Montana, 3.90%

States where the margin of victory was between 5% and 10%:

Missouri, 5.57%
Indiana, 5.96%
West Virginia, 6.79%
Oregon, 7.17%
Vermont, 8.73%
Washington, 8.76%Red denotes states won by Republicans. Blue denotes states won by Democrats.Dark Blue denotes race won by New Progressives

Delaware

Election Name:2016 Delaware gubernatorial election
Country:Delaware
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 Delaware gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Delaware gubernatorial election
Next Year:2020
Image1:John C. Carney Jr. official portrait 112th Congress (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:John Carney
Party1:Democratic Party (US)
Popular Vote1:248,404
Percentage1:58.3%
Nominee2:Colin Bonini
Party2:Republican Party (US)
Popular Vote2:166,852
Percentage2:39.2%
Map Size:100px
Governor
Before Election:Jack Markell
Before Party:Democratic Party (US)
After Election:John Carney
After Party:Democratic Party (US)

See main article: 2016 Delaware gubernatorial election.

See also: 2016 Delaware lieutenant gubernatorial election. Two-term incumbent Governor Jack Markell was term-limited in 2016.[7] Former Democratic Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, the son of Vice President Joe Biden, announced his intention to run and was seen as the front-runner in the Democratic primary and general election, but he died of brain cancer at the age of 46 on May 30, 2015.[8] [9] Representative John Carney, a former Lieutenant Governor of Delaware who also ran for governor in 2008, won the Democratic nomination.[10] State senator Colin Bonini won the Republican nomination.

Carney won the election, taking 58.3% of the vote compared to Bonini's 39.2%.[11]

Indiana

Election Name:2016 Indiana gubernatorial election
Country:Indiana
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 Indiana gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Indiana gubernatorial election
Next Year:2020
Image1:Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb.jpg
Nominee1:Eric Holcomb
Party1:Republican Party (US)
Running Mate1:Suzanne Crouch
Popular Vote1:1,397,396
Percentage1:51.4%
Nominee2:John R. Gregg
Party2:Democratic Party (US)
Running Mate2:Christina Hale
Popular Vote2:1,235,503
Percentage2:45.4%
Map Size:150px
Governor
Before Election:Mike Pence
Before Party:Republican Party (US)
After Election:Eric Holcomb
After Party:Republican Party (US)

See main article: 2016 Indiana gubernatorial election. One-term incumbent Governor Mike Pence announced his bid for re-election. Pence won in 2012 with 49.6% of the vote. Pence previously served as a U.S. Representative from 2001 to 2013 and was Chairman of the House Republican Conference from 2009 to 2011. Pence had expressed interest in running for President of the United States in the 2016 presidential election, but declined. However, Pence withdrew his bid for a second term on July 15, 2016, to run for vice president as running mate to Donald Trump.[12] [13] Pence was replaced as the gubernatorial nominee by Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb.

The 2012 Democratic nominee, former State House Speaker John R. Gregg, won the Democratic nomination.[14] State Representative Karen Tallian and Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz both withdrew their candidacies.[15] [16] State Representative Terri Austin, South Bend Mayor Peter Buttigieg, former Lieutenant Governor Kathy Davis, Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight, Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, and House Minority Leader Scott Pelath declined to run for governor. Potential Democratic candidates include former United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana and former Secretary of State of Indiana Joe Hogsett, President and CEO of the Biocrossroads Initiative and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2000 David Johnson, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr., physician, former Commissioner for the Indiana State Department of Health and candidate for Indiana's 7th congressional district in 2008, Woody Myers, former State Senate Minority Leader and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2012 Vi Simpson, U.S. Representative Pete Visclosky and former Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel.[17] [18] [19] [20] [21] Former Governor and Senator Evan Bayh had considered running,[22] but has since announced he is running for the U.S. Senate in 2016.[23]

Holcomb won election with 51.4% of the vote, while Gregg took 45.4%.[11]

Missouri

Election Name:2016 Missouri gubernatorial election
Country:Missouri
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 Missouri gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Missouri gubernatorial election
Next Year:2020
Image1:Eric Greitens 2018 (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:Eric Greitens
Party1:Republican Party (US)
Popular Vote1:1,433,397
Percentage1:51.1%
Nominee2:Chris Koster
Party2:Democratic Party (US)
Popular Vote2:1,277,360
Percentage2:45.6%
Map Size:200px
Governor
Before Election:Jay Nixon
Before Party:Democratic Party (US)
After Election:Eric Greitens
After Party:Republican Party (US)

See main article: 2016 Missouri gubernatorial election.

See also: 2016 Missouri lieutenant gubernatorial election. Two-term incumbent Governor Jay Nixon was term-limited in 2016.[24] U.S. Senator and 2004 gubernatorial nominee Claire McCaskill[25] and State Treasurer Clint Zweifel declined to run for governor.[26] On August 3, 2016, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster won the nomination with a dominating 79% of the primary vote.[27]

Former Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives Catherine Hanaway, businessman John Brunner, State Senator Bob Dixon, former Navy SEAL Eric Greitens, and Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder ran for the Republican nomination.[28] State Representative Bart Korman and U.S. Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer[29] [30] [31] declined to run for governor. Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich had been a candidate for governor before he committed suicide in February 2015.[32] On August 3, 2016, Greitens won the nomination with 35% of the vote.

Greitens won the election, taking 51.3% of the vote compared to Koster's 45.4%.[11]

Montana

Election Name:2016 Montana gubernatorial election
Country:Montana
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 Montana gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Montana gubernatorial election
Next Year:2020
Image1:Steve Bullock by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Nominee1:Steve Bullock
Party1:Democratic Party (US)
Running Mate1:Mike Cooney
Popular Vote1:255,933
Percentage1:50.2%
Nominee2:Greg Gianforte
Party2:Republican Party (US)
Running Mate2:Lesley Robinson
Popular Vote2:236,115
Percentage2:46.4%
Map Size:300px
Governor
Before Election:Steve Bullock
Before Party:Democratic Party (US)
After Election:Steve Bullock
After Party:Democratic Party (US)

See main article: 2016 Montana gubernatorial election. One-term incumbent Governor Steve Bullock ran for re-election. Bullock was elected in 2012 with 48.9% of the vote. He previously served as Attorney General of Montana from 2009 to 2013.

Former Secretary of State Brad Johnson and businessman Mark Perea ran for the Republican nomination,[33] but were defeated by businessman Greg Gianforte. Montana Attorney General Tim Fox had been speculated as a potential candidate, but instead chose to run for re-election.[34]

Bullock won re-election, taking 50.2% of the vote. Gianforte won 46.4% of the vote.[11]

New Hampshire

Election Name:2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial election
Country:New Hampshire
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2014 New Hampshire gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2014
Next Election:2018 New Hampshire gubernatorial election
Next Year:2018
Nominee1:Chris Sununu
Party1:Republican Party (US)
Popular Vote1:354,040
Percentage1:48.8%
Nominee2:Colin Van Ostern
Party2:Democratic Party (US)
Popular Vote2:337,589
Percentage2:46.6%
Map Size:100px
Governor
Before Election:Maggie Hassan
Before Party:Democratic Party (US)
After Election:Chris Sununu
After Party:Republican Party (US)

See main article: 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial election. Two-term Democratic incumbent Governor Maggie Hassan ran for the U.S. Senate, narrowly defeating incumbent Republican Kelly Ayotte, instead of running for a third term as governor. She won a second term in 2014 with 53% of the vote against Republican businessman Walt Havenstein. Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern defeated Deputy Secretary of State and Director of Securities Regulation Mark Connolly for the Democratic nomination.

Executive Councilor Chris Sununu, state representative and entrepreneur Frank Edelblut, and Jon Lavoie ran for the Republican nomination.[35] Sununu defeated his challengers for the Republican nomination.

Despite most pre-election polling suggesting a Democratic win, Sununu narrowly won election with 49% of the vote. Van Ostern won 46.7% and Libertarian Max Abramson won 4.3% of the vote.[11]

North Carolina

Election Name:2016 North Carolina gubernatorial election
Country:North Carolina
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 North Carolina gubernatorial election
Next Year:2020
Nominee1:Roy Cooper
Party1:Democratic Party (US)
Popular Vote1:2,309,157
Percentage1:49.0%
Nominee2:Pat McCrory
Party2:Republican Party (US)
Popular Vote2:2,298,880
Percentage2:48.8%
Map Size:300px
Governor
Before Election:Pat McCrory
Before Party:Republican Party (US)
After Election:Roy Cooper
After Party:Democratic Party (US)

See main article: 2016 North Carolina gubernatorial election.

See also: 2016 North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election. One-term incumbent Governor Pat McCrory ran for re-election.[36] McCrory was elected in 2012 with 54.7% of the vote. McCrory previously served as Mayor of Charlotte from 1995 to 2009.

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper[37] defeated former State Representative Kenneth Spaulding to win the Democratic nomination for governor.[38] James Protzman, a former Chapel Hill town council member, had declared his candidacy, but later withdrew from the race.[39] United States Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx declined to run for governor.

After a dispute in results, Cooper won the election. Cooper won 49% of the vote, while McCrory won 48.9%.[11]

North Dakota

Election Name:2016 North Dakota gubernatorial election
Country:North Dakota
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 North Dakota gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 North Dakota gubernatorial election
Next Year:2020
Image1:DougBurgum 2018 (cropped-1).jpg
Nominee1:Doug Burgum
Party1:Republican Party (US)
Running Mate1:Brent Sanford
Popular Vote1:259,863
Percentage1:76.5%
Nominee2:Marvin Nelson
Party2:North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party
Running Mate2:Joan Heckaman
Popular Vote2:65,855
Percentage2:19.4%
Map Size:250px
Governor
Before Election:Jack Dalrymple
Before Party:Republican Party (US)
After Election:Doug Burgum
After Party:Republican Party (US)

See main article: 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial election. One-term incumbent Governor Jack Dalrymple declined to seek re-election.[40] Dalrymple was elected to his first full term with 63.1% of the vote in 2012, after first taking the seat in 2010 after John Hoeven resigned to become a U.S. Senator. Dalrymple was previously Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota from 2000 to 2010.

Republican candidates included Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem,[41] businessman Doug Burgum,[42] and State Representative and plastic surgeon Rick Becker. Burgum won the nomination.

Potential Democratic candidates included former Congressman Earl Pomeroy, state Senator George B. Sinner and state Senate Minority Leader Mac Schneider. Former Agriculture Commissioner Sarah Vogel formed an exploratory a campaign but announced on Jan. 28, 2016 that she will not run for governor. Senator Heidi Heitkamp declined to run for governor.[43] State representative Marvin Nelson won his party's nomination.

Burgum won the election, taking 76.7% of the vote, while Nelson won 19.4%.[11]

Oregon (special)

Election Name:2016 Oregon gubernatorial special election
Country:Oregon
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2014 Oregon gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2014
Next Election:2018 Oregon gubernatorial election
Next Year:2018
Image1:Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown, cropped (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:Kate Brown
Party1:Democratic Party (US)
Alliance1:Working Families Party
Popular Vote1:985,027
Percentage1:50.6%
Nominee2:Bud Pierce
Party2:Republican Party (US)
Popular Vote2:845,609
Percentage2:43.5%
Map Size:250px
Governor
Before Election:Kate Brown
Before Party:Democratic Party (US)
After Election:Kate Brown
After Party:Democratic Party (US)

See main article: 2016 Oregon gubernatorial special election. Governor John Kitzhaber, who won reelection in 2014 with 49.9% of the vote, announced his pending resignation on February 13, 2015, amid controversy surrounding his fiancée's consulting contracts and work within his administration.[44] Kate Brown, Oregon's Secretary of State, was sworn in as governor on February 18, 2015, upon Kitzhaber's resignation. In accordance with the Constitution of Oregon, a special election was held in 2016 for the remainder of the term to which Kitzhaber was elected in 2014. Brown ran against Republican Bud Pierce, an Oncologist from Salem.[45]

Brown won the election, taking 50.5% of the vote compared to Pierce's 43.8%.[11] In winning, Kate Brown became the first openly LGBTQ Governor elected in the United States.[46]

Utah

Election Name:2016 Utah gubernatorial election
Country:Utah
Flag Year:2011
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 Utah gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Utah gubernatorial election
Next Year:2020
Image1:2013-05-23 Gary R Herbert.JPG
Nominee1:Gary Herbert
Party1:Republican Party (US)
Running Mate1:Spencer Cox
Popular Vote1:750,850
Percentage1:66.7%
Nominee2:Mike Weinholtz
Party2:Democratic Party (US)
Running Mate2:Kim Bowman
Popular Vote2:323,349
Percentage2:28.7%
Map Size:150px
Governor
Before Election:Gary Herbert
Before Party:Republican Party (US)
After Election:Gary Herbert
After Party:Republican Party (US)

See main article: 2016 Utah gubernatorial election. Incumbent Governor Gary Herbert ran for re-election.[47] He was the Lieutenant Governor of Utah from 2005 to 2009 and became governor after Jon Huntsman, Jr. resigned to become United States Ambassador to China. He won the seat in a 2010 special election and was elected to his first full term with 68.4% of the vote in 2012. Herbert defeated businessman Jonathan Johnson to win the nomination.

Businessman Michael Weinholtz won the Democratic nomination. Former Congressman Jim Matheson declined to run.[48]

Herbert won re-election, taking 66.6% of the vote compared to Weinholtz's 28.9%.[11]

Vermont

Election Name:2016 Vermont gubernatorial election
Country:Vermont
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2014 Vermont gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2014
Next Election:2018 Vermont gubernatorial election
Next Year:2018
Image1:Phil Scott 2017 (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:Phil Scott
Party1:Republican Party (US)
Popular Vote1:166,817
Percentage1:52.9%
Nominee2:Sue Minter
Party2:Democratic Party (US)
Popular Vote2:139,253
Percentage2:44.2%
Map Size:100px
Governor
Before Election:Peter Shumlin
Before Party:Democratic Party (US)
After Election:Phil Scott
After Party:Republican Party (US)

See main article: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial election. Three-term incumbent Governor Peter Shumlin declined to seek re-election.[49] He was re-elected with 46.4% of the vote in 2014. As he did not receive a majority of the vote, the Vermont General Assembly was required to choose the winner. The Vermont Assembly chose Shumlin over Republican nominee Scott Milne by 110 votes to 69.[50]

Sue Minter defeated former state senator Matt Dunne for the Democratic nomination for governor. House Speaker Shap Smith withdrew from the race. Former lieutenant governor Doug Racine declined to run for governor.[51] [52]

Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott won the Republican nomination.[53] Former state senator and former Vermont Auditor of Accounts Randy Brock and 2014 Republican nominee Scott Milne declined to run for governor. Former Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Dan Feliciano was a potential candidate.

Scott won the election, taking 52.9% compared to Minter's 44.2%.[11]

Washington

Election Name:2016 Washington gubernatorial election
Country:Washington (state)
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 Washington gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Washington gubernatorial election
Next Year:2020
Image1:Jay Inslee official portrait (cropped 2).jpg
Nominee1:Jay Inslee
Party1:Democratic Party (US)
Popular Vote1:1,760,520
Percentage1:54.2%
Nominee2:Bill Bryant
Party2:Republican Party (US)
Popular Vote2:1,476,346
Percentage2:45.5%
Map Size:275px
Governor
Before Election:Jay Inslee
Before Party:Democratic Party (US)
After Election:Jay Inslee
After Party:Democratic Party (US)

See main article: 2016 Washington gubernatorial election. One-term incumbent Governor Jay Inslee ran for re-election. Inslee was elected in 2012 with 51.4% of the vote against Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna. Inslee previously served as a U.S. Representative from 1993 to 1995 and from 1999 to 2012. Seattle Port Commissioner Bill Bryant[54] advanced to the November general election. Potential Republican candidates include U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, State Senator Michael Baumgartner, and former State Representative Cathy Dahlquist.[55] [56]

Inslee won re-election, taking 54.2% of the vote. Bryant won 45.5%.[57]

West Virginia

Election Name:2016 West Virginia gubernatorial election
Country:West Virginia
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 West Virginia gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 West Virginia gubernatorial election
Next Year:2020
Image1:Governor Jim Justice 2017.jpg
Nominee1:Jim Justice
Party1:Democratic Party (US)
Popular Vote1:350,408
Percentage1:49.1%
Nominee2:Bill Cole
Party2:Republican Party (US)
Popular Vote2:301,987
Percentage2:42.3%
Nominee4:Charlotte Pritt
Party4:Mountain Party
Popular Vote4:42,068
Percentage4:5.9%
Map Size:230px
Governor
Before Election:Earl Ray Tomblin
Before Party:Democratic Party (US)
After Election:Jim Justice
After Party:Democratic Party (US)

See main article: 2016 West Virginia gubernatorial election. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin was term-limited in 2016.[58] Tomblin was first elected in a 2011 special election after Joe Manchin resigned after being elected to the United States Senate. Tomblin then won election to a full term in 2012.

Democratic candidates included former U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin, state Senator Jeff Kessler, and businessman Jim Justice. Former Senator Carte Goodwin, former Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates Rick Thompson, West Virginia State Treasurer John Perdue, State Senator Mike Green and State Delegates Doug Reynolds, Doug Skaff and West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant declined to seek the nomination. On May 10, 2016, Justice won the Democratic primary and became the nominee.[59]

President of the Senate Bill Cole, college student and former candidate for Mayor of Pineville Andrew Utterback, and former Bramwell Police Chief and former Democratic candidate for House of Delegates Edwin Vanover ran for the Republican nomination. U.S. Representatives David McKinley and Evan Jenkins declined to run for governor. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey had been considered a potential Republican candidate, but instead chose to run for re-election. Potential Republican candidates included State Delegate Erikka Storch and Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton.[60] Cole won the Republican nomination.

Justice won the election, taking 49.1% of the vote. Cole won 42.3%, while Charlotte Pritt of the Mountain Party won 5.9% of the vote.[11] Just months after assuming office, Justice switched to the Republican Party.[61]

Territories

Puerto Rico

Election Name:2016 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election
Country:Puerto Rico
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election
Next Year:2020
Image1:Ricardo Rosselló in 2016.png
Nominee1:Ricardo Rosselló
Party1:New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico)
Alliance1:Democratic Party (US)
Popular Vote1:655,626
Percentage1:41.8%
Nominee2:David Bernier
Party2:Popular Democratic Party (Puerto Rico)
Alliance2:Democratic Party (US)
Popular Vote2:610,956
Percentage2:38.9%
Image4:Alexandra Lúgaro in 2016.png
Nominee4:Alexandra Lúgaro
Party4:Independent politician
Popular Vote4:174,529
Percentage4:11.1%
Image5:Manuel Cidre.png
Nominee5:Manuel Cidre
Party5:Independent politician
Popular Vote5:89,890
Percentage5:5.7%
Governor
Before Election:Alejandro García Padilla
Before Party:Popular Democratic Party (Puerto Rico)
After Election:Ricardo Rosselló
After Party:New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico)

See main article: 2016 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election. One-term incumbent Governor Alejandro García Padilla was eligible to run for re-election, but chose to retire.[62] García Padilla is a member of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP).[63]

David Bernier, former Secretary of State of Puerto Rico and former President of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee, won the PDP nomination for governor.[64]

Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Pedro Pierluisi, who is affiliated with the New Progressive Party (PNP).[65] and activist and political commentator Ricky Rosselló sought the PNP nomination for governor, and Rosselló won the nomination.

Rosselló won the election.

American Samoa

Election Name:2016 American Samoa gubernatorial election
Country:American Samoa
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 American Samoa gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 American Samoa gubernatorial election
Next Year:2020
Image1:Lolo Moliga by James Kneubuhl.jpg
Nominee1:Lolo Matalasi Moliga
Party1:Nonpartisan politician
Running Mate1:Lemanu Peleti Mauga
Popular Vote1:7,235
Percentage1:60.2%
Nominee2:Faoa Aitofele Sunia
Party2:Nonpartisan politician
Running Mate2:Larry Sanitoa
Popular Vote2:4,305
Percentage2:35.8%
Governor
Before Election:Lolo Matalasi Moliga
Before Party:Democratic Party (US)
After Election:Lolo Matalasi Moliga
After Party:Democratic Party (US)
Map Size:300px

See main article: 2016 American Samoa gubernatorial election. One-term incumbent Governor Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga ran for re-election.[66] Moliga was elected in 2012 with 52.9% of the vote in the second round, after taking 33.5% of the vote in the first round. American Samoa requires a second round of voting if no candidate takes a majority of the vote in the first round.

Moliga won re-election.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2015/2016 Governors Race ratings . August 12, 2016 . Cook Political Report.
  2. Web site: 2016 Gubernatorial Ratings (November 3, 2016) . November 6, 2016 . Gubernatorial Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report.
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  7. DE Const. art. III, § 5
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  12. Web site: It's Official: Trump Announces Pence as VP Pick. nbcnews.com. August 2, 2016.
  13. Web site: Donald J. Trump on Twitter. twitter.com. August 2, 2016.
  14. Web site: Source: Democrat John Gregg set to announce governor bid. The Indianapolis Star. LoBianco. Tom. April 30, 2015. April 30, 2015.
  15. Web site: Glenda Ritz drops out of governor's race. The Indianapolis Star. Cook. Tony. Schneider. Chelsea. August 7, 2015. August 7, 2015.
  16. Web site: Tallian drops out of governor's race. The Times of Northwest Indiana. Carden. Dan. August 17, 2015. August 17, 2015.
  17. Web site: Dem. John Gregg drops out of 2016 Indiana governor's race . The Indy Channel . October 23, 2013 . October 24, 2013 . Norman Cox . https://web.archive.org/web/20131029235741/http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/dem-john-gregg-drops-out-of-2016-indiana-governors-race . October 29, 2013 . dead .
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  20. News: Indiana Democrats searching for gubernatorial candidates . The Indianapolis Star . February 21, 2014 . October 26, 2014.
  21. News: Evan Bayh won't run in 2016; Gregg, McDermott assess. September 12, 2014. Howey Politics. September 15, 2014.
  22. News: Livingston. Abby. Ambitious Hoosiers Wait for Future Statewide Races Farm Team. April 3, 2014. Roll Call. June 19, 2013.
  23. Web site: Evan Bayh on running for Senate, Indiana residency. The Indianapolis Star . August 2, 2016.
  24. News: McClellan. Bill. Bill McClellan: Jay Nixon could make presidential bid in 2016. March 3, 2013. St. Louis Post Dispatch. May 10, 2012.
  25. Web site: Claire McCaskill will not run for governor in 2016. PoliticMo. January 12, 2015. January 12, 2015. Yokley. Eli.
  26. News: Rosenbaum. Jason. Zweifel decides against 2016 bid for governor. April 10, 2013. St. Louis Beacon. April 9, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130720014459/https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/content/30266/zweifel_governor_koster_departure. July 20, 2013. dead. mdy-all.
  27. Web site: Martellaro. Alexandria. Greitens, Koster win gubernatorial primaries. KSDK. KSDK News. 17 August 2016.
  28. News: Former Navy SEAL Greitens running as Republican for Missouri governor. The Kansas City Star. Scher Zagier. Alan. Ballentine. Summer. September 26, 2015. September 28, 2015.
  29. News: Giacomo Bologna. Show Me Nothing: Missouri Members Entrenched. Roll Call. October 2, 2013. October 3, 2013.
  30. Web site: Greitens for Gov? . Missouri Scout . July 8, 2014 . November 25, 2014 . October 21, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141021235042/http://moscout.com/greitens-for-gov/ . dead .
  31. News: Is Bart Korman running for governor?. The Missouri Times. Wingo. Kelsey. January 13, 2015. January 28, 2015.
  32. Web site: Joe Millitzer. Missouri Auditor Schweich dies after self-inflicted gunshot wound. KTVI Fox 2 Now. February 26, 2015.
  33. News: Whitney. Eric. Brad Johnson Explains Why He's Running For Governor Of Montana. September 29, 2015. Montana Public Radio. September 28, 2015.
  34. Web site: AG Tim Fox files paperwork for re-election in 2016. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle . November 13, 2014 . November 15, 2014.
  35. Web site: Chris Sununu announces run for NH Governor. NH1.com. January 14, 2015. September 7, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150919153750/http://www.nh1.com/news/chris-sununu-announces-run-for-nh-governor/. September 19, 2015. dead. mdy-all.
  36. Web site: Gov. Pat McCrory launches 2016 campaign. The News & Observer. December 2, 2014. December 5, 2014. December 26, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141226023618/http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/12/02/4370719_gov-pat-mccrory-launches-2016.html. dead.
  37. News: Attorney General Announces Candidacy For Governor. November 7, 2014. Charlotte Observer. November 6, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141108001306/http://www.wfmynews2.com/story/news/local/2014/11/06/roy-cooper-for-governor/18594755/. November 8, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
  38. Web site: Three years out, Democrats eye McCrory's seat. Reid Wilson. The Washington Post. September 6, 2013. September 9, 2013.
  39. Web site: Protzman drops out of governor's race after 7 months. The News & Observer. October 17, 2013. November 28, 2013. October 24, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131024134517/http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/10/17/3289581/protzman-drops-out-of-governors.html. dead.
  40. News: Scheyder. Ernest. North Dakota's governor says will not seek re-election in 2016. August 24, 2015. Reuters.
  41. News: Jacobson. Louis. Democrats Have More Seats to Defend in 2015–2016 Governors Races. January 27, 2015. Governing Magazine. January 23, 2015. Governing Magazine uses a scale of "vulnerable", "potentially vulnerable", and "safe."
  42. News: Springer. Patrick. Doug Burgum announces bid for North Dakota governor. May 21, 2016. Grand Forks Herald. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113836/http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/politics/3924505-doug-burgum-announces-bid-north-dakota-governor. March 4, 2016. dead.
  43. Web site: Heitkamp says she won't run for governor in 2016. In Forum . September 9, 2015 . September 9, 2015.
  44. Web site: Oregon's new governor helped usher Kitzhaber out. The Washington Post. Reid. Wilson. February 13, 2015. February 13, 2015.
  45. Theriault, Denis C. (September 18, 2015) "Kate Brown makes clear she's running for governor", The Oregonian. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  46. Web site: Johnson . Chris . Kate Brown becomes first openly LGBT person elected governor . Washingtonblade.com . 2016-11-08 . 2017-08-25.
  47. News: Governor Herbert says he will run for re-election in 2016 . The Salt Lake Tribune . June 25, 2014 . August 22, 2014.
  48. News: Is a run for governor or Senate in Matheson's future? . The Salt Lake Tribune . December 23, 2013 . December 24, 2013.
  49. News: Vermont governor will not seek reelection . The Hill . Ben Kamisar . June 8, 2015 . June 8, 2015.
  50. News: Shumlin defeats Milne in Legislature governor vote. Free Press Staff. January 8, 2015. January 8, 2015.
  51. April Burbank, Paris Achen & Mike Donoghue, Shumlin's decision kicks off political 'circus', Burlington Free Press (June 8, 2015).
  52. Anne Galloway, Crowded field likely to line up for open governor's seat, Vtdigger (June 8, 2015).
  53. Web site: Scott Pins Gubernatorial Campaign on 'Fiscal Responsibility'. sevendaysvt.com. Terri. Hallenbeck. September 8, 2015. September 8, 2015.
  54. News: Connelly. Joe. What 2014 elections say about 2016 governor's race. October 2, 2014. Seattlepi. September 29, 2014. October 6, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006110152/http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2014/09/29/what-will-2014-elections-tell-us-about-our-2016-governors-race/. dead.
  55. News: Rosenthal. Brian. Former AG McKenna joins law firm. March 4, 2013. Yakia Herald. February 19, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130928074803/http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/yhr/wednesday/854831-8/former-ag-mckenna-joins-law-firm. September 28, 2013. dead.
  56. News: Cornfield. Jerry. If not McKenna, others could challenge Inslee in 2016. July 10, 2014. HeraldNet. June 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714220708/http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130606/NEWS01/706069918. July 14, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
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  58. News: King. Joselyn. Tomblin, Maloney win nominations. March 3, 2013. Wetzel Chronicle. May 18, 2011.
  59. News: Raby . John . Jim Justice wins Democratic nomination for West Virginia gov . . May 10, 2015 . October 5, 2016 .
  60. News: West Virginia Undergoing Political, Generational Change. May 1, 2014. Roll Call. May 1, 2014.
  61. Web site: Billionaire and WV Governor Jim Justice Switches to Republican at Trump Event.
  62. Web site: Puerto Rico governor will not seek reelection. Yahoo. December 15, 2015 . December 15, 2015.
  63. News: Fortuño: Romney would be good for PR . . August 28, 2012 . January 15, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130925190410/http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/news03.php?nt_id=75736&ct_id=1 . September 25, 2013 . dead . mdy-all .
  64. Web site: Bernier plans to announce Puerto Rico governor bid Wednesday. Reuters. Brown, Nick . December 16, 2015 . December 16, 2015.
  65. News: Gonzalez. Rocio. Unlike Puerto Rico governor, Pedro Pierluisi has four more years. March 4, 2013. Voxx. November 12, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20130926100706/http://www.voxxi.com/puerto-rico-pedro-pierluisi-four-years/. September 26, 2013. dead. mdy-all.
  66. News: 6 candidates vie to be American Samoa's governor . Associated Press . . September 4, 2012 . November 1, 2012.