Introduction
Governor elections are a critical component of our democracy. These elections determine who will lead a state, shape its policies, and represent its citizens on a national stage. With so much at stake, it’s crucial that voters stay informed and engaged in the democratic process.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the governor elections taking place in 2022. We’ll explore which states will hold elections, discuss the major issues and candidates, and offer insights into the significance of these elections for US politics.
Get Ready for the Governor Elections in 2022: Here Are the States That Will Hold Elections
In 2022, a total of 36 states, as well as three territories, will hold elections for governor. These states include:
– Alabama
– Alaska
– Arizona
– Arkansas
– California
– Colorado
– Connecticut
– Florida
– Georgia
– Hawaii
– Idaho
– Illinois
– Iowa
– Kansas
– Maine
– Maryland
– Massachusetts
– Michigan
– Minnesota
– Nebraska
– Nevada
– New Hampshire
– New Mexico
– New York
– Ohio
– Oklahoma
– Oregon
– Pennsylvania
– Rhode Island
– South Carolina
– South Dakota
– Tennessee
– Texas
– Vermont
– Wisconsin
– Wyoming
2022 Governor Elections: Everything You Need to Know
Governor elections typically take place every four years and are held on the same day as the congressional elections. In most states, the governor is elected through a simple majority vote. Each state may have specific rules regarding candidate eligibility and voter registration, so it’s important for voters to understand these details before heading to the polls.
To prepare for the governor elections, voters should research the major issues and candidates in their state. They may also want to attend candidate forums and debates, as well as review campaign materials and endorsements from trusted organizations.
Mapping Out the Governor Elections: A State-By-State Guide
Let’s dive deeper into each state’s governor election. Here’s a breakdown of the major candidates, their political affiliations, and key issues or controversies surrounding each race:
– Alabama: Gov. Kay Ivey (R) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth (R) and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox (D). Key issues include education, healthcare, and prison reform.
– Alaska: Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include former Gov. Bill Walker (I) and former State Sen. Hollis French (D). Key issues include natural resource management, healthcare, and education.
– Arizona: Gov. Doug Ducey (R) is not eligible to run for re-election due to term limits. Potential Republican candidates include State Treasurer Kimberly Yee and Karrin Taylor Robson, while Democrats may field State Sen. Katie Hobbs and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. Key issues include immigration, healthcare, and education.
– Arkansas: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) is not eligible to run for re-election due to term limits. Potential candidates include Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin (R) and State Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (R), as well as former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter (D). Key issues include education, healthcare, and criminal justice reform.
– California: Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is facing a recall election in 2022. Potential challengers include Rancho Santa Fe businessman John Cox (R) and former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer (R). Key issues include pandemic response, housing affordability, wildfire management, and climate change.
– Colorado: Gov. Jared Polis (D) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include former State Sen. Greg Brophy (R) and former Parker Mayor Mike Waid (R). Key issues include education, healthcare, and climate change.
– Connecticut: Gov. Ned Lamont (D) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include former U.S. Comptroller General David M. Walker (R) and State Sen. Kevin Kelly (R). Key issues include economic recovery, education, and transportation.
– Florida: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is seeking re-election. Potential Democratic challengers include Rep. Charlie Crist and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. Key issues include pandemic response, education, and environmental protection.
– Georgia: Gov. Brian Kemp (R) is seeking re-election. He may face a primary challenge from former State Rep. Vernon Jones (R). Potential Democratic candidates include Stacey Abrams, who lost to Kemp in 2018. Key issues include election integrity, criminal justice reform, and economic recovery.
– Hawaii: Gov. David Ige (D) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include former Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D) and former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann (D). Key issues include sustainable tourism, affordable housing, and renewable energy.
– Idaho: Gov. Brad Little (R) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin (R) and former State Rep. Paulette Jordan (D). Key issues include education, healthcare, and natural resource management.
– Illinois: Gov. JB Pritzker (D) is seeking re-election. Potential Republican challengers include businessman Gary Rabine and former State Sen. Paul Schimpf. Key issues include pandemic recovery, education, and criminal justice reform.
– Iowa: Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include Rep. Cindy Axne (D) and businesswoman Deidre DeJear (D). Key issues include healthcare, education, and economic recovery.
– Kansas: Gov. Laura Kelly (D) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include former Gov. Jeff Colyer (R) and Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson (R). Key issues include education, healthcare, and economic development.
– Maine: Gov. Janet Mills (D) is seeking re-election. Potential Republican challengers include former Gov. Paul LePage and businessman Shawn Moody. Key issues include healthcare, economic recovery, and climate change.
– Maryland: Gov. Larry Hogan (R) is not eligible to run for re-election due to term limits. Potential Republican candidates include Comptroller Peter Franchot and former Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz, while Democrats may field State Attorney General Brian Frosh or U.S. Rep. David Trone. Key issues include pandemic recovery, education, and public safety.
– Massachusetts: Gov. Charlie Baker (R) is not yet announced whether he will seek re-election. Potential Democratic challengers include State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz and former state budget chief Jay Gonzalez. Key issues include healthcare, education, and economic recovery.
– Michigan: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include businessman Austin Chenge (R) and former Detroit Police Chief James Craig (R). Key issues include pandemic recovery, education, and infrastructure.
– Minnesota: Gov. Tim Walz (D) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include former State Sen. Scott Jensen (R) and businessman Mike McFadden (R). Key issues include healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
– Nebraska: Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) is not eligible to run for re-election due to term limits. Potential candidates include State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks (D) and Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird (D), as well as State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan (R). Key issues include education, healthcare, and agriculture.
– Nevada: Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) is seeking re-election. Potential Republican challengers include former Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison and Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo. Key issues include pandemic recovery, education, and renewable energy.
– New Hampshire: Gov. Chris Sununu (R) is not yet announced whether he will seek re-election. Potential Democratic candidates include State Sen. Dan Feltes and Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky. Key issues include education, healthcare, and economic recovery.
– New Mexico: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) is seeking re-election. Potential Republican challengers include State Sen. Mark Moores and businesswoman Karen Bedonie. Key issues include pandemic recovery, education, and energy development.
– New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include businessman Andrew Giuliani (R), son of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and Rep. Lee Zeldin (R). Key issues include pandemic recovery, criminal justice reform, and transportation.
– Ohio: Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include former Rep. Jim Renacci (R) and former Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timken. Key issues include healthcare, education, and economic recovery.
– Oklahoma: Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) is seeking re-election. Potential Democratic challengers include former Attorney General Drew Edmondson and State Auditor Cindy Byrd. Key issues include healthcare, education, and criminal justice reform.
– Oregon: Gov. Kate Brown (D) is not eligible to run for re-election due to term limits. Potential candidates include State Treasurer Tobias Read (D) and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler (D), as well as former State Rep. Knute Buehler (R). Key issues include pandemic recovery, natural resource management, and affordable housing.
– Pennsylvania: Gov. Tom Wolf (D) is not eligible to run for re-election due to term limits. Potential candidates include Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) and State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R). Key issues include economic recovery, education, and healthcare.
– Rhode Island: Gov. Dan McKee (D) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include former Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea (D) and former State Rep. Robert Lancia (R). Key issues include healthcare, education, and economic growth.
– South Carolina: Gov. Henry McMaster (R) is seeking re-election. Potential Democratic challengers include State Sen. Mia McLeod and Charleston City Councilman Mike Seekings. Key issues include healthcare, education, and economic recovery.
– South Dakota: Gov. Kristi Noem (R) is seeking re-election. Potential Democratic challengers include former U.S. Attorney Randy Seiler and former State Rep. Heather Kintzler. Key issues include healthcare, education, and agriculture.
– Tennessee: Gov. Bill Lee (R) is seeking re-election. Potential Democratic challengers include Nashville Mayor John Cooper and former Gov. Phil Bredesen. Key issues include education, healthcare, and criminal justice reform.
– Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is seeking re-election. Potential Democratic challengers include former State Sen. Wendy Davis and Demetria Smith. Key issues include pandemic recovery, education, and voting rights.
– Vermont: Gov. Phil Scott (R) is seeking re-election. Potential Democratic challengers include State Sen. Becca Balint and Lt. Gov. Molly Gray. Key issues include healthcare, education, and climate change.
– Wisconsin: Gov. Tony Evers (D) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include businessman Kevin Nicholson (R) and former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch (R). Key issues include pandemic recovery, education, and healthcare.
– Wyoming: Gov. Mark Gordon (R) is seeking re-election. Potential challengers include former State Rep. Mary Throne (D) and businesswoman Darin Smith (R). Key issues include natural resource management, education, and economic development.
The Next Big Political Battle: 2022 Governor Elections
The 2022 governor elections will have significant implications for US politics. With so many states up for grabs, these elections could shift the balance of power in state legislatures and potentially impact the outcomes of national elections as well.
Factors that could influence the outcomes of these elections include voter turnout, campaign fundraising, and the public’s perception of key issues and candidates. In addition, the ongoing pandemic, economic recovery, natural disasters, and social justice and racial equity issues could all play a major role in determining voter preferences.