Gubernatorial elections, 2024

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Click here to view changes in the partisan control of governorships as a result of the 2024 elections.


There were 11 gubernatorial offices on the ballot in 2024. These elections were in Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.

Heading into the 2024 elections, 27 governors were Republicans and 23 were Democrats. In the states with gubernatorial elections in 2024, eight had Republican governors and three had a Democratic governor.

Two states that elected their governor in 2024—New Hampshire and North Carolina—were rated as Lean or Toss-up by at least two of the following three outside political ratings publications: The Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections. Both New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) did not run for re-election in 2024. The other nine states that held gubernatorial elections were rated as solid or safe for either one party or the other by at least two of those three outside political ratings publications.

After the 2024 elections, the partisan balance of governors remained unchanged, at 27 Republicans and 23 Democrats. In North Carolina, Josh Stein (D) defeated Mark Robinson (R), and in New Hampshire, Kelly Ayotte (R) defeated Joyce Craig (D). This was the first even-year election since 2000 in which no governorships changed partisan control.

In 2024, only three incumbents were up for election, while eight races were open. All three incumbents, Spencer Cox (R) of Utah, Greg Gianforte (R) of Montana, and Phil Scott (R) of Vermont, were re-elected. In 2020, when the previous gubernatorial elections were held for most of these offices, 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. Click here for more about these elections.

Thirty-six states held elections for governor in 2022. Democrats and Republicans each won 18 races. Before the 2022 elections, Republicans held 20 of these governorships, and Democrats held 16. Four offices changed parties. To read more about those elections, click here.

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.

Election results

See also: Election results, 2024: Governors

There were 11 gubernatorial offices on the ballot in 2024. These elections were in Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.

This was the first even-year election since 2000 where no governorships changed partisan control. Democrats retained the governorships in Delaware, North Carolina, and Washington, and Republicans retained the governorships in Indiana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Missouri, Montana, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia.

Heading into the 2024 elections, 27 governors were Republicans and 23 were Democrats. These numbers similarly remained unchanged as a result of these elections.

Ballotpedia identified three races as noteworthy. These include elections for governor in New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Washington. New Hampshire and North Carolina were rated as Lean or Toss-up by at least two of the following three outside political ratings publications: The Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections. In North Carolina, Josh Stein (D) defeated Mark Robinson (R), and in New Hampshire, Kelly Ayotte (R) defeated Joyce Craig (D). In Washington, Bob Ferguson (D) defeated Dave Reichert (R). Before the elections, a Democrat had controlled the governorship of North Carolina since 2017, a Republican had controlled the governorship of New Hampshire since 2017, and a Democrat had controlled the governorship of Washington since 1985.

In 2024, only three incumbents were up for election, while eight races were open. All three incumbents, Spencer Cox (R) of Utah, Greg Gianforte (R) of Montana, and Phil Scott (R) of Vermont, were re-elected. In 2020, when the previous gubernatorial elections were held for most of these offices, 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. Click here for more about these elections.

As of November 25, 2024, no states saw their trifecta or triplex status change as a result of the gubernatorial elections. To read more about trifecta statuses after the 2024 elections, click here. To read more about triplex statuses after the 2024 elections, click here.

American Samoa and Puerto Rico also held gubernatorial elections. While this page includes links to pages on gubernatorial elections in these territories, it does not include them in its statistics.

The following table highlights the change in governorships before and after the 2024 elections.

Governors' seats up in 2024
Party As of the 2024 elections After the 2024 elections
     Democratic Party 3 3
     Republican Party 8 8
Total 11 11


The following chart shows states holding gubernatorial elections in 2024 by the party of the winning candidate.

Partisan balance

The following chart displays the number of governors' offices held by each party before and after the 2024 elections.

U.S. governors partisan breakdown
Party As of November 2024 After the 2024 elections
     Democratic Party 23 23
     Republican Party 27 27
Total 50 50

List of gubernatorial elections

There were eight Republican-held governor's offices and three Democratic-held governor's offices on the ballot in 2024. The table and map below shows which states held gubernatorial elections in 2024.


Gubernatorial elections, 2024
State Incumbent Incumbent running? Election winner Last time office changed parties 2020 presidential result 2020 gubernatorial result[1] 2024 election result
Delaware Democratic Party John Carney No Democratic Party Matt Meyer 1993 D+18.9 D+20.9 D+11.8
Indiana Republican Party Eric Holcomb No Republican Party Mike Braun 2005 R+16.0 R+24.4 R+15.2
Missouri Republican Party Mike Parson No Republican Party Mike Kehoe 2017 R+15.4 R+16.4 R+16.2
Montana Republican Party Greg Gianforte Yes Republican Party Greg Gianforte 2021 R+16.4 R+12.8 R+21.7
New Hampshire Republican Party Chris Sununu No[2] Republican Party Kelly Ayotte 2017 D+7.3 R+15.0 R+6.3
North Carolina Democratic Party Roy Cooper No Democratic Party Josh Stein 2017 R+1.3 D+4.5 D+11.7
North Dakota Republican Party Doug Burgum No[3] Republican PartyKelly Armstrong 1992 R+33.3 R+40.4 R+44.8
Utah Republican Party Spencer Cox Yes Republican Party Spencer Cox 1985 R+20.5 R+32.7 R+26
Vermont Republican Party Phil Scott Yes Republican Party Phil Scott 2017 D+35.1 R+47.2 R+49.5
Washington Democratic Party Jay Inslee No[4] Democratic Party Bob Ferguson 1985 D+19.2 D+13.5 D 12.8
West Virginia Republican Party Jim Justice No Republican Party Patrick Morrisey 2017[5] R+38.9 R+33.3 R+33.6

List of candidates

The table below contains a list of all candidates for governor in 2024. The table is fully searchable by candidate, party and candidacy status. Depending on the size of your screen, you'll either see a menu to the left of the table or an arrow at the top right corner, which you can use to select a state.

American Samoa Governor Candidates - 2024
candidatepartyofficestatus
Nonpartisan
Won General Runoff
Nonpartisan
Lost General
Nonpartisan
Lost General Runoff

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Delaware Governor Candidates - 2024
candidatepartyofficestatus
Democratic
Won General
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost General
Republican
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Independent
Lost (Write-in) General
Republican
Withdrew Primary

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Indiana Governor Candidates - 2024
candidatepartyofficestatus
Republican
Won General
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost General
Independent
Lost (Write-in) General
Libertarian
Lost Convention
Libertarian
Lost General
Democratic
Disqualified Primary
Democratic
Withdrew Primary

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Missouri Governor Candidates - 2024
candidatepartyofficestatus
Republican
Won General
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost General
Green
Lost General
Independent
Lost (Write-in) General
Libertarian
Lost General
Democratic
Withdrew Primary
Independent
Withdrew General

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Montana Governor Candidates - 2024
candidatepartyofficestatus
Greg Gianforte
Greg Gianforte Incumbent
Republican
Won General
Republican
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost General
Democratic
Lost Primary
Libertarian
Lost General
Democratic
Withdrew Primary

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

New Hampshire Governor Candidates - 2024
candidatepartyofficestatus
Republican
Won General
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost General
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Libertarian
Lost General
Constitution Party
Withdrew General

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

North Carolina Governor Candidates - 2024
candidatepartyofficestatus
Democratic
Won General
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost General
Constitution Party
Lost General
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Green
Lost General
Libertarian
Lost Primary
Libertarian
Lost General
Republican
Withdrew Primary
Republican
Withdrew Primary
Republican
Withdrew Primary
Independent
Withdrew (Write-in) General
Independent
Withdrew (Write-in) General

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

North Dakota Governor Candidates - 2024
candidatepartyofficestatus
Republican
Won General
Republican
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost General
Independent
Lost General
Independent
Lost (Write-in) General
Democratic
Withdrew Primary

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Puerto Rico Governor Candidates - 2024
candidatepartyofficestatus
New Progressive Party
Won General
Citizen's Victory Movement
Lost General
New Progressive Party
Lost Primary
Popular Democratic Party
Lost General
Popular Democratic Party
Lost Primary
Project Dignity
Lost General
Puerto Rican Independence Party
Lost General
Independent
Withdrew General
Independent
Withdrew General
Independent
Withdrew General

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Utah Governor Candidates - 2024
candidatepartyofficestatus
Spencer Cox
Spencer Cox Incumbent
Republican
Won General
Republican
Lost Round 2
Democratic
Lost General
Independent American Party
Lost General
Libertarian
Lost General
Unaffiliated
Lost (Write-in) General
Unaffiliated
Lost (Write-in) General
Unaffiliated
Lost General
Republican
Withdrew Primary
Republican
Withdrew Primary
Unaffiliated
Withdrew (Write-in) General

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Vermont Governor Candidates - 2024
candidatepartyofficestatus
Phil Scott
Phil Scott Incumbent
Republican
Won General
Democratic
Lost General
Democratic
Lost Primary
Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party
Lost General
Independent
Lost General
Independent
Lost General
Vermont Progressive Party
Withdrew General

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Washington Governor Candidates - 2024
candidatepartyofficestatus
Democratic
Won General
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost General
Republican
Lost Primary
Constitution Party
Lost (Write-in) Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Democratic
Lost Primary
Green
Lost Primary
Independence Party
Lost Primary
Independent
Lost Primary
Independent
Lost Primary
Independent
Lost Primary
Libertarian
Lost Primary
No party preference
Lost Primary
No party preference
Lost Primary
No party preference
Lost Primary
No party preference
Lost (Write-in) Primary
Nonsense Busters Party
Lost Primary
Standup-America Party
Lost Primary
Trump Republican Party
Lost Primary
Republican
Withdrew Primary
Republican
Withdrew Primary
Republican
Withdrew Primary
Republican
Withdrew Primary
Republican
Withdrew Primary
Republican
Withdrew Primary
Constitution Party
Withdrew Primary
Democratic
Withdrew Primary
Democratic
Withdrew Primary
Democratic
Withdrew Primary
Democratic
Withdrew Primary
No party preference
Withdrew Primary

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

West Virginia Governor Candidates - 2024
candidatepartyofficestatus
Republican
Won General
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Republican
Lost Primary
Constitution Party
Lost General
Democratic
Lost General
Independent
Lost (Write-in) General
Independent
Lost (Write-in) General
Independent
Lost (Write-in) General
Libertarian
Lost General
Mountain Party
Lost General
Republican
Withdrew Primary
Republican
Withdrew Primary

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

What's on your ballot?

See also: Sample Ballot Lookup

Trifectas

See also: State government trifectas

State government trifecta is a term to describe single-party government, when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.

As of November 26, 2024, there are 23 Republican trifectas, 17 Democratic trifectas, and 10 divided governments where neither party holds trifecta control.

Triplexes

See also: State government triplexes

A state government triplex is a term used to describe when a state's governor, attorney general, and secretary of state are all members of the same party.

As of November 26, 2024, there are 25 Republican triplexes, 20 Democratic triplexes, and 5 divided governments where neither party holds triplex control.

Important dates and deadlines

The following table details 2024 gubernatorial filing deadlines and primary dates in each state. The signature filing deadline was the date by which candidates had to file nominating signatures with election officials in order to have their name placed on the ballot.

2024 Election Dates
State Filing deadline Primary election
Delaware July 9 September 10
Indiana February 9 May 7
Missouri March 26 August 6
Montana March 11 June 4
New Hampshire June 14 September 10
North Carolina December 15 March 5
North Dakota April 8 June 11
Utah January 8 June 25
Vermont May 30 August 13
Washington May 17 August 6
West Virginia January 27 May 14

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 33 following West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice's switch to the Republican Party in August 2017.[6] 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 and 2021, Republicans won Democratic-held governorships in Montana and Virginia. Four gubernatorial offices changed partisan control in 2022, with Democrats winning three previously Republican-held seats in Arizona, Maryland, and Massachusetts, and Republicans defeating the Democratic incumbent in Nevada. In 2023, Republicans won the election in Louisiana to replace a retiring Democratic incumbent. These changes brought Republicans to 27 governorships and Democrats to 23.

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 2024 elections.

Gubernatorial offices that changed party control in 2020

See also: Election results, 2020: Partisan balance of governors

One gubernatorial office changed party control in 2020. In Montana, Greg Gianforte (R) won the seat previously held by term-limited Gov. Steve Bullock (D).

2020 gubernatorial elections

See also: Gubernatorial elections, 2020

Eleven states 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.

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 Electiondot.png Democratic 19.2 Electiondot.png Democratic 40.7 Electiondot.png Democratic 45.5 Electiondot.png Democratic 5.1 Electiondot.png Democratic
Indiana 24.4 Ends.png Republican 6.0 Ends.png Republican 2.9 Ends.png Republican 17.7 Ends.png Republican 7.8 Ends.png Republican
Missouri 16.4 Ends.png Republican 5.9 Ends.png Republican 12.3 Electiondot.png Democratic 18.9 Electiondot.png Democratic 3.0 Ends.png Republican
Montana 12.8 Ends.png Republican 3.9 Electiondot.png Democratic 1.6 Electiondot.png Democratic 32.9 Electiondot.png Democratic 4.4 Electiondot.png Democratic
New Hampshire 31.7 Ends.png Republican 2.3 Ends.png Republican 12.1 Electiondot.png Democratic 42.6 Electiondot.png Democratic 2.2 Electiondot.png Democratic
North Carolina 4.5 Electiondot.png Democratic 37.4 Electiondot.png Democratic 11.4 Ends.png Republican 3.4 Electiondot.png Democratic 12.7 Electiondot.png Democratic
North Dakota 40.4 Ends.png Republican 57.1 Ends.png Republican 28.8 Ends.png Republican 50.9 Ends.png Republican 43.9 Ends.png Republican
Utah 32.7 Ends.png Republican 38.1 Ends.png Republican 30.7 Ends.png Republican 57.9 Ends.png Republican 16.4 Ends.png Republican
Vermont 41.1 Ends.png Republican 8.8 Ends.png Republican 20.2 Electiondot.png Democratic 31.6 Ends.png Republican 20.8 Ends.png Republican
Washington 13.5 Electiondot.png Democratic 8.8 Electiondot.png Democratic 3.0 Electiondot.png Democratic 6.4 Electiondot.png Democratic 0.1 Electiondot.png Democratic
West Virginia 34.0 Ends.png Republican 11.0 Ends.png Republican 4.7 Electiondot.png Democratic 44.1 Electiondot.png Democratic 29.5 Electiondot.png Democratic

Analysis of state elections

State legislative elections

State Houses-Tile image.png
See also: State legislative elections, 2024

In the 50 states, there are 99 state legislative chambers altogether. Across 44 states, 85 of those chambers held regular legislative elections in 2024. These elections were for 5,807 of the country's 7,386 state legislative seats (79%). The general election for state legislative races was held on November 5, 2024.

To learn more about the state legislative races that will be on your ballot, click here to use our Sample Ballot Lookup tool.

States are also holding special state legislative elections in 2024 to fill vacant seats. Click here for more.

In the U.S. Territories, seven legislative chambers held regularly scheduled elections for 169 seats in 2024. Elections were held for the American Samoa House of Representatives, the Guam Legislature, the Puerto Rico Senate and House of Representatives, the Northern Mariana Islands Senate and House of Representatives, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature.

As of November 26th, 2024, Republicans controlled 54.98% of all state legislative seats nationally, while Democrats held 44.11%. Republicans held a majority in 56 chambers, and Democrats held the majority in 41 chambers. Two chambers (Alaska House and Alaska Senate) were organized under multipartisan, power-sharing coalitions.

Partisan balance of all 7,386 state legislative seats
Legislative chamber Democratic Party Republican Party Grey.png Other Vacant
State senates 836 1,117 3 17
State houses 2,422 2,944 19 28
Total: 3,258

4,061

22

45


Featured analysis

  • State legislative seats that changed party control in 2022: As a result of the Nov. 8, 2022, elections, partisan composition of all 7,386 state legislative seats changed by less than half a percentage point. Democrats had a net loss of six seats, representing 0.1% of all state legislative seats. Republicans had a net gain of 28 seats, representing 0.4% of all state legislative seats.[7] Independents and minor party officeholders had a net loss of 20 seats, representing 0.2% of all state legislative seats.
  • Annual State Legislative Competitiveness Report: Vol. 12, 2022: Competitiveness refers to the presence of choice throughout the election cycle. A greater level of competitiveness means voters have the ability to make more decisions. A lower level of competitiveness equals fewer choices. State legislative competitiveness in 2022 reached its highest level compared to all even-year election cycles since 2010. In 2022, the nationwide State Legislative Competitiveness Index is 36.2, beating out 2018 (36.1) and the 2012 post-redistricting cycle (35.2).

More related analysis

Tap the box below to show more analysis articles related to the 2024 state legislative elections.

State executive elections

State-capitol-utah.jpg
See also: State executive official elections, 2024

State executive offices up for election in 2024 included 11 gubernatorial seats, nine lieutenant gubernatorial seats, 10 attorney general seats, and seven secretary of state seats. Including down-ballot races, there were 167 state executive seats up for election across 30 states in 2024.[8]

In 2022, 307 state executive offices were up for election across 44 states. Twenty offices changed party control, including two previously held Republican lieutenant governorships that changed parties because the governor and lieutenant governor ran on a joint ticket. Of the 18 offices which changed partisan control due to direct election, 10 switched from Democrat to Republican, seven switched from Republican to Democrat, and one nonpartisan official was succeeded by a Republican. A total of 26 incumbents seeking re-election to state executive offices were defeated, with 10 of those losing in the general election and 16 losing in their party's primary or nominating convention.

Featured analysis (from 2022)

  • Trifecta vulnerability in the 2022 elections: Thirteen state government trifectas were vulnerable in the 2022 elections, according to Ballotpedia's annual trifecta vulnerability ratings. Democrats defended seven vulnerable trifectas and Republicans defended six. A state government trifecta occurs when one party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. At the time of the 2022 elections, there were 37 state government trifectas: 23 Republican trifectas and 14 Democratic trifectas. The remaining 13 states had a divided government where neither party had a trifecta.
  • State government triplexes: Heading into the November 8 elections, there were 23 Republican triplexes, 18 Democratic triplexes, and 9 divided governments where neither party held triplex control. A state government triplex is a term to describe when one political party holds the following three positions in a state's government: governor, attorney general, and secretary of state.[9] In states where the attorney general or secretary of state are appointed by the governor, Ballotpedia considers the office to be held by the governor's party for the purposes of defining triplexes.[10]
  • Annual State Executive Competitiveness Report: Ballotpedia's 2022 study of competitiveness in state executive official elections found that 37.1% of incumbents did not seek re-election, leaving those offices open. This was higher than in 2020 (35.6%) and 2014 (32.7%) but lower than in 2018 (38.6%) and 2016 (45.2%). The decade average for open offices was 37.8%.

More related analysis

Tap the box below to show more analysis articles related to the 2024 state executive elections.

State judicial elections

Gavel-square.png
See also: State judicial elections, 2024

A total of 305 appellate court seats were up for election in 2024. The seats included:

  • 82 supreme court seats.
  • 223 intermediate appellate court seats.

Ballotpedia provided coverage of supreme court and intermediate appellate court elections, as well as local trial court elections for judges within the 100 largest cities in the United States as measured by population.

In addition, in the U.S. Territories, four judges were on the ballot in retention elections in 2024. One judge on the Guam Supreme Court, two on the Guam Superior Court, and one on the Northern Mariana Islands Superior Court stood for retention to remain on the bench.

Featured analysis

  • Partisanship of state supreme court judges: In June 2020, Ballotpedia conducted a study into the partisanship of state supreme court justices. The study placed each justice into one of five categories indicating confidence in their affiliations with either the Democratic or Republican Parties. These categories were Strong Democratic, Mild Democratic, Indeterminate, Mild Republican, and Strong Republican.

More related analysis

Tap the box below to show more analysis articles related to the 2024 state judicial elections.

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 2022 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 is $70,000 in Maine. To view the compensation of a particular governor, hover your mouse over the state.[11]

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.[11]

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.[12]

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.[12]

See also

Election coverage by office

Click the tiles below to navigate to 2024 election coverage:


Footnotes

  1. ↑ 2022 election for New Hampshire and Vermont.
  2. ↑ Sununu announced he would not run for re-election on July 19, 2023.
  3. ↑ Burgum announced that he was running for president of the United States on June 7, 2023.
  4. ↑ Inslee announced on May 1, 2023, that he would not run for re-election in 2024.
  5. ↑ Justice was elected as a Democrat and switched to the Republican Party in 2017.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ This total includes three seats created in Wyoming during the 2020 redistricting process, which affects the net changes before and after the Nov. 8 elections.
  8. ↑ Ballotpedia describes the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state as top-ballot state executive offices. Down-ballot state executive offices that exist in all 50 states include superintendent of schools, insurance commissioner, agriculture commissioner, labor commissioner, and public service commissioner. Examples of other down-ballot state executive offices include treasurer, auditor, and comptroller.
  9. ↑ Ballotpedia chose to highlight these offices because they are typically the most visible positions in states and serve important administrative functions.
  10. ↑ This is because it is very uncommon for an attorney general or secretary of state appointed by a governor to often be in direct conflict with that governor.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 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
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 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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