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Gubernatorial elections, 2020
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Eleven states and two U.S. territories held elections for governor in 2020. Of those eleven states, only Montana featured a term-limited incumbent.
Incumbents won nine of the eleven races. Spencer Cox (R) won in Utah, where Republican incumbent Gary Herbert (R) did not run for re-election. Greg Gianforte (R) won in Montana, where incumbent Gov. Steve Bullock (D) was term-limited, making Montana's governorship the only one to change party control in 2020.
Out of all the state executive offices, only the governor is elected in all 50 states. As the chief executive officer, the governor is among the most powerful figures in state government.
Most states impose some form of term limits on governors; of those that do, all but Virginia limit a governor to two four-year terms or to eight years in office. Although most states' term limit laws allow a governor who has served two terms to be elected once again after time has elapsed, some states impose a lifetime term limit like that on the presidency.
Elections covered on this page may have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. To read more about those elections and changes to them, click here.
On this page, you will find:
- An overview of how many governorships each party held before and after the 2020 elections.
- A list of the eleven gubernatorial elections that took place in 2020.
- A list of offices that changed party control in 2020.
- A list of incumbents who did not seek re-election in 2020.
- A list of offices that flipped in the 2019 elections.
- A summary of election competitivenes in the 2020 elections.
- An analysis of margins of victory for winning candidates from 2004 to 2020.
- An analysis of battleground races in 2020.
- Outside race ratings from The Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections.
- An overview of polls in selected races.
- A summary of 2020 state government trifecta results.
- A summary of 2020 state government triplex results.
- Presidential election results for the 2020 and 2016 elections.
- A history of gubernatorial partisanship from 1977 to 2020.
- A summary of election results from 2016 and 2012.
- A list of states that held both gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections in 2020.
- A table of ballot access requirements for gubernatorial candidates.
- Information about the office of governor.
- Links to Ballotpedia's analysis of state elections.
While this page includes links to pages on state executive elections in the U.S. Territories, it does not include the territories in its statistics.
| 2020 Gubernatorial Races | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Incumbent | Term-limited (Y/N) | Incumbent running? | |
| American Samoa |  Lolo Matalasi Moliga |
Yes | No | |
| Delaware |  John Carney Jr. |
No | Yes | |
| Indiana |  Eric Holcomb |
No | Yes | |
| Missouri | Mike Parson |
No | Yes | |
| Montana | Steve Bullock |
Yes | No | |
| New Hampshire | Chris Sununu |
No | Yes | |
| North Carolina | Roy Cooper |
No | Yes | |
| North Dakota | Doug Burgum |
No | Yes | |
| Puerto Rico | Wanda Vázquez Garced |
No | Yes | |
| Utah | Gary Herbert |
No | No | |
| Vermont | Phil Scott |
No | Yes | |
| Washington | Jay Inslee |
No | Yes | |
| West Virginia | Jim Justice |
No | Yes | |
Partisan breakdown
The following chart displays the number of governors' offices held by each party as of the 2020 elections and immediately after the elections took place.
| U.S. governors partisan breakdown | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 2020 | After the 2020 elections | |
| Democratic Party | 24 | 23 | |
| Republican Party | 26 | 27 | |
| Total | 50 | 50 | |
Election results
The table below shows gubernatorial elections that took place in 2020.
Offices that changed party control
Eleven states held elections for governor in 2020. Incumbents won nine of the races. Spencer Cox (R) won in Utah, where Republican incumbent Gary Herbert (R) did not run for re-election. Greg Gianforte (R) won in Montana, where incumbent Gov. Steve Bullock (D) was term-limited, making Montana's governorship the only one to change party control in 2020.
| Gubernatorial offices that changed party control, 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Pre-election control | Post-election control | ||
| Montana | Steve Bullock |
Greg Gianforte
| ||
Defeated incumbents
No incumbent governors who ran for re-election in 2020 were defeated.
Incumbents who did not seek re-election
Two incumbents did not seek re-election:
- Montana: Steve Bullock (term-limited)
- Utah: Gary R. Herbert
Offices that flipped in the 2019 elections
- See also: Gubernatorial elections, 2019
Three states held gubernatorial elections in 2019: Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Kentucky's governorship was the only one of the three to change party control, flipping from Republican to Democratic.
| Gubernatorial offices that changed party control, 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Pre-election control | Post-election control | ||
| Kentucky | Matt Bevin |
Andy Beshear
| ||
Competitiveness
An election is considered more competitive when there is no incumbent running for re-election. Incumbent advantage is frequently cited in political theory and its importance frequently debated. For example, data compiled by OpenSecrets.org shows the re-election rate for incumbents in the U.S. House of Representatives has been 85% or higher for each of the 27 two-year election cycles between 1964 and 2018. From 2008-2018, the re-election rate averaged 92.1%.
Across the eleven gubernatorial elections that took place in 2020:
- Nine incumbents filed for re-election. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) was prevented from doing so by term limits.
- Eight of the nine incumbents running for re-election faced at least one challenger from their party in the primary.
- All 11 races featured at least one Democrat and one Republican in the general election.
Margin of victory analysis
The following table details the margin of victory for winning candidates in states that held gubernatorial elections in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020.
| Margin of victory analysis, 2004-2020 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | 2020 margin of victory (%) | Party of winning candidate, 2020 | 2016 margin of victory (%) | Party of winning candidate, 2016 | 2012 margin of victory (%) | Party of winning candidate, 2012 | 2008 margin of victory (%) | Party of winning candidate, 2008 | 2004 margin of victory (%) | Party of winning candidate, 2004 |
| Delaware | 20.9 |  Democratic |
19.2 | Democratic |
40.7 | Democratic |
45.5 | Democratic |
5.1 | Democratic
|
| Indiana | 24.4 |  Republican |
6.0 | Republican |
2.9 | Republican |
17.7 | Republican |
7.8 | Republican
|
| Missouri | 16.4 | Republican |
5.9 | Republican |
12.3 | Democratic |
18.9 | Democratic |
3.0 | Republican
|
| Montana | 12.8 | Republican |
3.9 | Democratic |
1.6 | Democratic |
32.9 | Democratic |
4.4 | Democratic
|
| New Hampshire | 31.7 | Republican |
2.3 | Republican |
12.1 | Democratic |
42.6 | Democratic |
2.2 | Democratic
|
| North Carolina | 4.5 | Democratic |
37.4 | Democratic |
11.4 | Republican |
3.4 | Democratic |
12.7 | Democratic
|
| North Dakota | 40.4 | Republican |
57.1 | Republican |
28.8 | Republican |
50.9 | Republican |
43.9 | Republican
|
| Utah | 32.7 | Republican |
38.1 | Republican |
30.7 | Republican |
57.9 | Republican |
16.4 | Republican
|
| Vermont | 41.1 | Republican |
8.8 | Republican |
20.2 | Democratic |
31.6 | Republican |
20.8 | Republican
|
| Washington | 13.5 | Democratic |
8.8 | Democratic |
3.0 | Democratic |
6.4 | Democratic |
0.1 | Democratic
|
| West Virginia | 34.0 | Republican |
11.0 | Republican |
4.7 | Democratic |
44.1 | Democratic |
29.5 | Democratic
|
Battlegrounds
- See also: Gubernatorial battlegrounds, 2020
Ballotpedia identified six of the 11 gubernatorial elections in 2020 as general election battlegrounds: Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Vermont.
Of the six, four were in states with Republican incumbents and two were in states with Democratic incumbents. All but Indiana and Montana changed partisan control in 2016, while all but Indiana and Missouri were carried by the opposite party's presidential candidate that year. All but Indiana and Missouri were also under divided government, with the party opposite to the governor holding majorities in both state legislative chambers.
These battleground races were selected by examining the results of the 2016 presidential election in each state, whether the incumbent was seeking re-election, and whether the governor's office changed partisan control the last time it was up for election. Outside race ratings from the Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales were also considered. For more information on our methodology, click here.
Battleground list
The following map displays all gubernatorial elections taking place in 2020, shaded by the incumbent's political affiliation. Battleground races are highlighted with brighter shades of blue and red. Hover over a state for more information.
| Battleground gubernatorial elections, 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Incumbent | Open seat? | Margin in previous election[1] | 2016 presidential Margin |
| Indiana | Eric Holcomb |
No | R+6.0 | R+19.1 |
| Missouri | Mike Parson |
No | R+5.9 | R+18.7 |
| Montana | Steve Bullock |
Yes | D+3.9 | R+20.5 |
| New Hampshire | Chris Sununu |
No | R+7.0 | D+0.3 |
| North Carolina | Roy Cooper |
No | D+0.2 | R+3.6 |
| Vermont | Phil Scott |
No | R+14.9 | D+26.4 |
Outside race ratings
The following table compared gubernatorial race ratings from The Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections prior to the November 2020 elections. The following table compared gubernatorial race ratings from The Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections prior to the November 2020 elections.
Polls
- Indiana (click to collapse)
Indiana
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
Indiana gubernatorial election, 2020: General election polls Poll Date Holcomb
Myers
Rainwater
Undecided/Other Margin of error Sample size Sponsor Cygnal Oct. 21-23 47% 29% 15% 10% ± 4.0 600 Ready Education Network SurveyUSA Oct. 8-13 55% 25% 10% 11% ± 5.2[2] 527 --
- Missouri (click to expand)
Missouri
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
Missouri gubernatorial, 2020: General election polls Poll Date Parson
Galloway
Other Undecided Margin of error Sample size Sponsor Remington Research Group Oct. 28-29, 2020 50% 44% 3%[3] 2% ± 3 1,010 Missouri Scout Remington Research Group Oct. 14-15, 2020 51% 43% 3%[4] 3% ± 3.0 1,010 Missouri Scout YouGov/Saint Louis University Sept. 24-Oct. 7, 2020 50% 44% 3% 4% ± 3.9 931 -- Remington Research Group Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2020 51% 44% -- 5% ± 3.0 980 Missouri Scout Remington Research Group Sept. 16-17, 2020 52% 43% -- 5% ± 3.0 1046 Missouri Scout Click [show] to see older poll results Poll Date Parson
Galloway
Other Undecided Margin of error Sample size Sponsor We Ask America[5] Sept. 1-3, 2020 54% 41% - 5% ± 4.4 500 N/A Trafalgar Group[6] Aug. 26-28, 2020 51% 36% 4% 8% ± 3.0 1,015 N/A St. Louis University[7] June 23 - July 1, 2020 41% 39% 3% 17% ± 4.0 900 N/A Remington Research Group[8] June 10-11, 2020 50% 41% - 9% ± 2.9 1,152 Missouri Scout We Ask America[9] May 26-27, 2020 47% 39% - 15% ± 4.4 500 N/A Remington Research Group April 28-29, 2020 52% 39% - 9% ± 2.6 1,356 Missouri Scout Remington Research Group March 11-12, 2020 52% 39% - 7% ± 2.8 1,241 Missouri Scout Remington Research Group Oct. 9-10, 2019 53% 41% - 6% ± 2.5 1,451 Missouri Scout Remington Research Group Aug. 14-15, 2019 50% 39% - 11% ± 3.3 855 Missouri Scout Remington Research Group June 26-27, 2019 50% 37% - 13% ± 3.2 960 Missouri Scout Remington Research Group February 27, 2019 51% 40% - 9% ± 3.4 893 Missouri Scout
- Montana (click to expand)
Montana
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
Montana gubernatorial election: General election polls Poll Date Cooney
Gianforte
Other Margin of error Sample size Sponsor Montana State University Billings Oct. 19-24 45% 45% 11% ±4.2 546 -- Political IQ/RMG Research Oct. 15-18 45% 48% 6% ±3.5 800 -- The New York Times/Siena College Oct. 18-20 44% 48% 8% ±4.4 758 -- NBC Montana/Strategies 360 Oct. 15-20 41% 48% 11% ±4.4 500 -- Montana State University Bozeman Sept. 14- Oct. 2 42% 47% 11% ±3.9 1,787 -- Click [show] to see older poll results Poll Date Peters
James
Other Margin of error Sample size Sponsor Emerson College Oct. 5-7 41% 54% 5% ±4.3 500 --
- Vermont (click to expand)
Vermont
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
Vermont gubernatorial election: General election polls Poll Date Scott
Zuckerman
Other Margin of error Sample size Sponsor VPR - Vermont PBS Sept. 3-15 55% 24% 19% ±4.0 604 --
State government trifectas
Updated February 12, 2021
Republicans gained trifecta control in Montana and New Hampshire. Republicans have 23 trifectas (a net gain of two), Democrats have 15 trifectas, and 12 states have divided governments (a net loss of two).
Heading into the 2020 elections, there were 36 state government trifectas—the most since 2013. Republicans had 21 trifectas, and Democrats had 15. The other 14 states had divided government, meaning neither party had a trifecta.
In the November 3, 2020, elections, 44 states held elections for one or more trifecta offices. A state government trifecta occurs when one party holds the governorship and a majority in both chambers of a state's legislature. We identified 16 vulnerable trifectas: eight Democratic and eight Republican. We also identified seven states where one or both parties had the potential to gain a trifecta.
The states under divided government included eight with a Democratic governor and Republican legislature and four with a Republican governor and Democratic legislature. The final two states were Alaska (with a Republican governor and state Senate majority, but a minority coalition in the state House) and Minnesota (with a Democratic governor and state House majority, but a Republican state Senate majority).
Though Republicans won a plurality of seats in the Alaska House, Republicans were unable to organize a majority, resulting in a minority coalition comprised of 16 Democrats, three independents, and two Republicans. Click here to read more.
The Republican flips from divided power to trifecta control in 2020 were in:
- Montana: Republicans won control of the governorship.
- New Hampshire: Republicans won control of the state Senate and House.
As a result of the 2020 elections, the country had 23 Republican-held trifectas, 15 Democratic-held trifectas, and 12 divided governments, as illustrated by the table below.
| Change in state government trifectas, 2020 elections | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trifecta status | Before | After | Net | |
| Democratic trifectas |
15 | 15 | 0 | |
| Republican trifectas |
21 | 23 | +2 | |
| Divided government | 14 | 12 | -2 | |
The map below shows trifecta statuses following the 2020 election.
The map below shows trifecta control in states going into the 2020 election.
State government triplexes
Thirteen states held elections for one or more triplex offices on November 3, 2020. A state government triplex occurs when the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state in a given state are all members of the same political party.
In the November 3 elections, Republicans and Democrats each gained triplex status in one state.
Heading into 2020, there were 36 state government triplexes: 19 Republican triplexes and 17 Democratic triplexes. The remaining 14 states were under divided control, meaning neither party had a triplex. As a result of the November 3 elections, the total number of triplexes increased to 38: 20 Republican triplexes and 18 Democratic triplexes. Twelve states remained under divided control.
Changes in triplex status
Montana
As a result of the 2020 elections, Montana transitioned from divided control to a Republican triplex. Republicans flipped the governor's office and maintained control of the secretary of state and attorney general offices.
- Governor: Greg Gianforte (R) defeated Mike Cooney (D), Lyman Bishop (L), and write-in Chris Hall (I). Incumbent Gov. Steve Bullock (D) was term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election.
Oregon
As a result of the 2020 elections, Oregon transitioned from divided control to a Democratic triplex. Democrats flipped the secretary of state's office and maintained control of the attorney general office. Incumbent Gov. Kate Brown (D) was not up for re-election in 2020.
- Secretary of State: Shemia Fagan (D) defeated Kim Thatcher (R), Kyle Markley (L), and Nathalie Paravicini (Pacific Green Party). Incumbent Bev Clarno (R) did not run for re-election, which Brown made a condition of her appointment after the death of former Secretary of State Dennis Richardson (R).
| Changes in triplex status | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic triplexes | Republican triplexes | Divided control | ||||
| Before 2020 election | 17 | 19 | 14 | |||
| After 2020 election | 18 | 20 | 12 | |||
Presidential data
- See also: Presidential election, 2020
- Delaware (click to collapse)
Delaware
- See also: Presidential election in Delaware, 2020
Presidential election in Delaware, 2020
Candidate/Running mate%Popular votesElectoral votes✔ 
Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D) 58.7296,268 3 
Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R) 39.8200,603 0 
Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L) 1.05,000 0 
Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker (G) 0.42,139 0 
Ye (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.0169 0 
Brian T. Carroll (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.087 0 
Jade Simmons/Claudeliah Roze (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.028 0 
Gloria La Riva (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.014 0 
Mark Charles (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) 0.08 0 
Barbara Ruth Bellar (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.07 0 
Brock Pierce/Karla Ballard (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.05 0 
Shawn W. Howard (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.04 0 
Dennis Ball (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.03 0 Todd Cella (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.02 0 
Princess Khadijah Maryam Jacob-Fambro (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) 0.02 0 Mitchell Williams (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.02 0 
President Boddie (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) 0.01 0 Kathryn Gibson (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.01 0 
Tom Hoefling/Andy Prior (Unaffiliated) 0.01 0 
Deborah Rouse (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.01 0 Kasey Wells (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.01 0
Total votes: 504,346
- Indiana (click to expand)
Indiana
- See also: Presidential election in Indiana, 2020
Presidential election in Indiana, 2020
Candidate/Running mate%Popular votesElectoral votes✔
Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R) 57.01,729,519 11
Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D) 41.01,242,416 0
Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L) 2.059,232 0 Howie Hawkins (no running mate) (G) (Write-in) 0.0989 0 Brian T. Carroll (no running mate) (American Solidarity Party) (Write-in) 0.0895 0 Shawn W. Howard (no running mate) (Independent) (Write-in) 0.023 0 
Valerie McCray (no running mate) (Independent) (Write-in) 0.017 0 Joseph Charles Schriner (no running mate) (Independent) (Write-in) 0.013 0 James L. Johnson, Jr. (no running mate) (Other) (Write-in) 0.05 0
Deborah Rouse/Sheila Cannon (Independent) (Write-in) 0.04 0 Mitchell Williams (no running mate) (Independent) (Write-in) 0.04 0 
Christopher Stried (no running mate) (Independent) (Write-in) 0.02 0 Randall Foltyniewicz (no running mate) (Independent) (Write-in) 0.01 0 Kasey Wells (no running mate) (Independent) (Write-in) 0.01 0
Total votes: 3,033,121
- Missouri (click to expand)
Missouri
- See also: Presidential election in Missouri, 2020
Presidential election in Missouri, 2020
Candidate/Running mate%Popular votesElectoral votes✔
Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R) 56.81,718,736 10
Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D) 41.41,253,014 0
Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L) 1.441,205 0
Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker (G) 0.38,283 0 
Don Blankenship/William Mohr (Constitution Party) 0.13,919 0 Other write-in votes 0.0805 0
Total votes: 3,025,962
- Montana (click to expand)
Montana
- See also: Presidential election in Montana, 2020
Presidential election in Montana, 2020
Candidate/Running mate%Popular votesElectoral votes✔
Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R) 56.9343,602 3
Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D) 40.5244,786 0
Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L) 2.515,252 0 Other write-in votes 0.055 0
Total votes: 603,695
- New Hampshire (click to expand)
New Hampshire
Presidential election in New Hampshire, 2020
Candidate/Running mate%Popular votesElectoral votes✔
Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D) 52.7424,937 4
Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R) 45.4365,660 0
Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L) 1.613,236 0 Other write-in votes 0.32,372 0
Total votes: 806,205
- North Carolina (click to expand)
North Carolina
Presidential election in North Carolina, 2020
Candidate/Running mate%Popular votesElectoral votes✔
Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R) 49.92,758,775 15
Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D) 48.62,684,292 0
Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L) 0.948,678 0
Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker (G) 0.212,195 0
Don Blankenship/William Mohr (Constitution Party) 0.17,549 0 Jade Simmons (no running mate) (Independent) (Write-in) 0.0119 0 Other write-in votes 0.213,196 0
Total votes: 5,524,804
- North Dakota (click to expand)
North Dakota
Presidential election in North Dakota, 2020
Candidate/Running mate%Popular votesElectoral votes✔
Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R) 65.1235,595 3
Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D) 31.8114,902 0
Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L) 2.69,393 0 Other write-in votes 0.51,929 0
Total votes: 361,819
- Utah (click to expand)
Utah
- See also: Presidential election in Utah, 2020
Presidential election in Utah, 2020
Candidate/Running mate%Popular votesElectoral votes✔
Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R) 58.1865,140 6
Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D) 37.6560,282 0
Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L) 2.638,447 0 
Ye/Michelle Tidball (Unaffiliated) 0.57,213 0
Don Blankenship/William Mohr (Constitution Party) 0.45,551 0
Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker (G) 0.35,053 0
Brock Pierce/Karla Ballard (Unaffiliated) 0.22,623 0 
Joe McHugh/Elizabeth Storm (Unaffiliated) 0.12,229 0 Gloria La Riva (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) 0.11,139 0 Brian T. Carroll (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.0368 0
Jade Simmons/Claudeliah Roze (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.0186 0 Tom Hoefling (no running mate) (Independent) 0.051 0
President Boddie/Eric Stoneham (Unaffiliated) 0.06 0 Katherine Forbes (no running mate) (Unaffiliated) (Write-in) 0.01 0
Total votes: 1,488,289
- Vermont (click to expand)
Vermont
- See also: Presidential election in Vermont, 2020
Presidential election in Vermont, 2020
Candidate/Running mate%Popular votesElectoral votes✔
Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D) 65.5242,820 3
Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R) 30.4112,704 0
Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L) 1.03,608 0
Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker (G) 0.41,310 0
Ye/Michelle Tidball (Independent) 0.31,269 0 
H. Brooke Paige/Thomas Witman (Grumpy Old Patriots) 0.31,175 0 
Christopher Lafontaine/Michael Speed (Independent) 0.2856 0 
Richard Duncan/Mitch Bupp (Independent) 0.1213 0 
Brian T. Carroll/Amar Patel (American Solidarity Party) 0.1209 0
Don Blankenship/William Mohr (Constitution Party) 0.1208 0 
Alyson Kennedy/Malcolm Jarrett (Socialist Workers Party) 0.1195 0 
Gloria La Riva/Sunil Freeman (Liberty Union Party) 0.0166 0 
Gary Swing/David Olszta (Boiling Frog) 0.0141 0 
Phil Collins/Billy Joe Parker (Prohibition Party) 0.0137 0
Keith McCormic/Sam Blasiak (Bull Moose) 0.0126 0
Brock Pierce/Karla Ballard (Unaffiliated) 0.0100 0 
Jerry Segal/John de Graaf (Bread and Roses) 0.065 0 
Blake Huber/Frank Atwood (Approval Voting Party) 0.054 0 
Kyle Kenley Kopitke/Taja Iwanow (Independent) 0.053 0 
Roque De La Fuente/Darcy Richardson (Alliance Party) 0.048 0
Zachary Scalf/Matthew Lyda (Independent) 0.029 0 Other write-in votes 1.55,482 0
Total votes: 370,968
- Washington (click to expand)
Washington
Presidential election in Washington, 2020
Candidate/Running mate%Popular votesElectoral votes✔
Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D) 58.02,369,612 12
Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R) 38.81,584,651 0
Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L) 2.080,500 0
Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker (G) 0.418,289 0
Gloria La Riva/Sunil Freeman (Party for Socialism and Liberation) 0.14,840 0
Alyson Kennedy/Malcolm Jarrett (Socialist Workers Party) 0.12,487 0 Other write-in votes 0.727,252 0
Total votes: 4,087,631
- West Virginia (click to expand)
West Virginia
Presidential election in West Virginia, 2020
Candidate/Running mate%Popular votesElectoral votes✔
Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R) 68.6545,382 5
Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D) 29.7235,984 0
Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L) 1.310,687 0
Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker (Mountain Party of West Virginia) 0.32,599 0
Total votes: 794,652
Historical control
Republicans led in governorships from 1994 until 2006, after which there were 28 Democratic governors to the Republicans' 22. Republicans regained their national majority in the 2010 midterm elections. Between 2010 and 2017, the number of Republican governors continued to increase, reaching a high point of 34 following West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice's switch to the Republican Party in August 2017.[10] From 2017 to 2019, Democrats won Republican-held governorships in Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. Republicans, meanwhile, gained a governorship in Alaska previously held by independent Bill Walker. In 2020, Republicans won a Democratic-held governorship in Montana. These changes brought Republicans to 27 governorships and Democrats to 23.
Past election results
2016
- See also: Gubernatorial elections, 2016
 | |
|
Twelve states held gubernatorial elections on November 8, 2016, including a special election in Oregon. Republicans won six governorships, flipping control in Missouri, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Democrats won the other six gubernatorial elections, including flipping control in North Carolina. Therefore, Republicans won net control of two governorships.
2012
- See also: Gubernatorial elections, 2012
Eleven states held gubernatorial elections on November 6, 2012. Democrats won seven governorships while Republicans won four. In six of the eleven races, incumbents won re-election. Only one governor's office flipped partisan control, as Republican Pat McCrory defeated Democratic lieutenant governor Walter Dalton after incumbent Gov. Beverly Perdue (D) decided in January 2012 not to seek another term.
States that held both gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections in 2020
There are five states that held elections for both governor and U.S. Senate in 2020: Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and West Virginia.
| States holding both gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections in 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Incumbent Governor | Open Seat? | Incumbent Senator | Open Seat? |
| Delaware | John Carney Jr. |
No | Chris Coons |
No |
| Montana | Steve Bullock |
Yes | Steve Daines |
No |
| New Hampshire | Chris Sununu |
No | Jeanne Shaheen |
No |
| North Carolina | Roy Cooper |
No | Thom Tillis |
No |
| West Virginia | Jim Justice |
No | Shelley Moore Capito |
No |
Ballot access requirements for candidates
The table below details filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates in the 2020 election cycle.
| Filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Signature formula | Filing fee | Filing fee formula | Filing deadline | Source |
| Delaware | Governor | Democratic | N/A | N/A | $6,840.00 | Fixed number | 7/14/2020 | Source |
| Delaware | Governor | Republican | N/A | N/A | Pending | Pending | 7/14/2020 | Source |
| Delaware | Governor | Unaffiliated | 7,141 | 1% of all eligible voters as of 12/31 in the year preceding the election | N/A | N/A | 9/1/2020 | Source |
| Indiana | Governor | Democratic and Republican | 4,500 | Fixed number | N/A | N/A | 2/7/2020 | Source |
| Indiana | Governor | Unaffiliated | 44,935 | 2% of votes cast for secretary of state in the last election | N/A | N/A | 7/15/2020 | Source |
| Missouri | Governor | Qualified party | N/A | N/A | $200.00 | Fixed number | 3/31/2020 | Source |
| Missouri | Governor | Unaffiliated | 10,000 | Fixed number | N/A | N/A | 7/27/2020 | Source |
| Montana | Governor | Major party | N/A | N/A | $1,183.97 | Percentage of annual salary | 3/9/2020 | Source |
| Montana | Governor | Unaffiliated | 12,797 | 5% of total votes received by winner of the last gubernatorial election | $1,183.97 | Percentage of annual salary | 6/1/2020 | Source |
| New Hampshire | Governor | Democratic and Republican | N/A | N/A | $100.00 | Fixed number | 6/12/2020 | Source |
| New Hampshire | Governor | Unaffiliated and political organization | 3,000 | Fixed number | $100.00 | Fixed number | 9/2/2020 | Source |
| North Carolina | Governor | Qualified party | N/A | N/A | $1,510.00 | 1% of annual salary | 12/20/2019 | Source |
| North Carolina | Governor | Unaffiliated | 71,545 | 1.5% of total votes cast for governor in the last election | $1,510.00 | 1% of annual salary | 3/3/2020 | Source |
| North Dakota | Governor | Qualified party | 300 | Fixed number | N/A | N/A | 4/6/2020 | Source |
| North Dakota | Governor | Unaffiliated | 1,000 | Fixed number | N/A | N/A | 8/31/2020 | Source |
| Utah | Governor | Qualified party | 28,000 | Fixed number | $834.13 | Fixed number | 3/19/2020 | Source |
| Utah | Governor | Unaffiliated | 1,000 | Fixed number | $834.13 | Fixed number | 3/19/2020 | Source |
| Vermont | Governor | Major party | 500 | Fixed number | N/A | N/A | 5/28/2020 | Source |
| Vermont | Governor | Unaffiliated | 500 | Fixed number | N/A | N/A | 8/6/2020 | Source |
| Washington | Governor | All candidates | N/A | N/A | $1,821.79 | 1% of annual salary | 5/15/2020 | Source |
| West Virginia | Governor | Qualified party | N/A | N/A | $1,500.00 | 1% of annual salary | 1/25/2020 | Source |
| West Virginia | Governor | Unaffiliated | 7,139 | 1% of total votes cast for governor in the last election | N/A | N/A | 7/31/2020 | Source |
About the office
- See also: Governor (state executive office)
In the United States, the title governor refers to the chief executive of each state. The governor is not directly subordinate to the federal authorities but is the political and ceremonial head of the state. The governor may also assume additional roles, such as the commander-in-chief of the National Guard when the role is not federalized. The governor may also have the ability to commute or pardon a criminal sentence.
In all states, the governor is directly elected and, in most cases, has considerable practical powers. Notable exceptions with weak governorships include the office of the governor in Texas, though this may be moderated by the state legislature and, in some cases, by other elected executive officials. Governors can veto state bills. The specific duties and powers vary widely between states.
Compensation
According to compensation figures for 2023 compiled by the Council of State Governments in the Book of the States, the highest salary for a governor was $250,000 in New York while the lowest was $70,000 in Maine. To view the compensation of a particular governor, hover your mouse over the state.[11]
Vacancy fill offices
Staff size
According to figures for 2022 compiled by the Council of State Governments in the Book of the States, gubernatorial offices range in size from 9 staffers in Nebraska to 277 staffers in Texas.[12]
Involvement in budget proposals
Although all governors have some involvement in the process of developing a state budget, the specific level of involvement differs from state to state. According to information published in the 2022 Book of the States, 24 governors share responsibility for developing a budget proposal, while 11 governors have full responsibility for developing an initial budget proposal and the remaining 15 have full responsibility for developing a budget.[13]
Term limits
- See also: States with gubernatorial term limits
Most states impose some form of term limits on governors; of those that do, all but Virginia limit a governor to two four-year terms or to eight years in office. Although most states' term limit laws allow a governor who has served two terms to be elected once again after time has elapsed, some states impose a lifetime term limit like that on the presidency. Although Vermont and New Hampshire do not have term limit laws, they are the only states whose governors serve two-year terms rather than four-year terms.
Line-item veto powers
The term line-item veto refers to the ability of a governor or other chief executive to veto specific parts of a bill while signing the rest of the bill into law. Currently, 44 states grant their governors line-item veto powers.[13]
Analysis of state elections
In November 2020, regular elections were held for 86 of 99 state legislative chambers, plus 11 gubernatorial offices, nine lieutenant gubernatorial offices, 10 attorney general offices, and seven secretary of state offices.
Election analysis
All state elections
- Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection report
- Noteworthy recounts in the United States
- Incumbent win rates by state
- Results of state elected officials seeking other offices, 2020
- Analysis of rejected ballots in the 2020 general election
- Analysis of ballot curing in the 2020 general election
- Analysis of voter turnout in the 2020 general election
- Ballotpedia's Top 15 elections to watch, 2020
- Split-ticket voting in statewide elections in 2018 and 2020
- Trends in the margins of victory for incumbents of three or more terms, 2018-2024
Trifectas
- State government trifectas in the 2020 elections
- Historical and potential changes in trifectas
- Trifecta vulnerability in the 2020 elections
- Presidential election results by trifecta status
- Gubernatorial and presidential split-ticket states
State executive elections
- Partisan balance of governors
- State government triplexes
- Annual State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2020
- States with both gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections in 2020
State legislative elections
- Number of state legislators by party
- Annual State Legislative Competitiveness Report: Vol. 10, 2020
- Effect of the 2020 elections on redistricting
- Rematches in 2020 general elections
- State legislative veto-proof majorities
- State legislative battleground chambers, 2020
- Veto-proof state legislatures and opposing party governors in the 2020 elections
- Races decided by fewer than 100 votes
- Margin of victory analysis for the 2020 state legislative elections
- State legislative seats flipped
- State legislative special election changes in party control since 2010
- State legislative chambers that changed party control
- State legislative seats that changed party control
- Comparison of state legislative election and session dates, 2020
State ballot measures
- Ballot Measure Scorecard, 2020
- Ballotpedia's Tuesday Count for 2020
- Ballotpedia's top 15 ballot measures to watch on Nov. 3
See also
- Gubernatorial battlegrounds, 2020
- State executive official elections, 2020
- Gubernatorial elections, 2018
- State executive official elections, 2018
Footnotes
- ↑ The previous gubernatorial election took place in 2018 in New Hampshire and Vermont and in 2016 in all other states.
- ↑ This poll used a credibility interval instead of a margin of error.
- ↑ Bauer: 1%
Combs: 2% - ↑ Bauer: 1%
Combs: 2% - ↑ We Ask America, "Missouri Statewide General Election Survey Results," Sept. 8, 2020
- ↑ The Trafalgar Group, "Missouri Statewide Presidential August 2020," accessed Sept. 14, 2020
- ↑ Saint Louis University, "Parson and Galloway in Statistical Dead Heat," accessed Sept. 14, 2020
- ↑ Missouri Scout, "June 2020 Missouri Statewide 2020 General Election," June 12, 2020
- ↑ We Ask America, "Missouri Statewide General Election Survey Results," accessed Sept. 14, 2020
- ↑ Because Justice switched his registration more than halfway through the year, he was counted as a Democrat in 2017 for the purposes of the chart.
- ↑ Book of the States, "2023 edition: Chapter 4 - Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 18, 2024
- ↑ Council of State Governments' Book of the States 2022 Table 4.3: The Governors: Compensation, Staff, Travel and Residence provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Council of State Governments' Book of the States 2022 Table 4.4: The Governors: Powers provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
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