United States gubernatorial elections, 2016

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.

All totaled, the Democratic Party gained 3 states' governorships, increasing its total to 30, a record high last seen in 1974. The Republicans finished with 20 governorships-losing three state houses.

Jack Markell (Delaware)
Two-term incumbent Governor Jack Markell was term-limited in 2016. Former Democratic Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, the son of former Senator Joe Biden, announced his intention to run and was seen as the frontrunner in the Democratic primary and general election, but he died of brain cancer at the age of 46 on May 30, 2015. Representative John Carney, a former Lieutenant Governor of Delaware who also ran for Governor in 2008, won the Democratic nomination. He faced Republican State Senator Colin Bonini, who won the Republican nomination, in the general election.

The Delaware gubernatorial race was one of the most competitive in the country, due to the popularity of both nominees. Carney, a liberal Democrat who was a strong advocate of Medicaid expansion, drug policy reform, and energy investment, had won praise for his bipartisanship and for his constituent service. Bonini, who had served in the Delaware State Senate for more then twenty years, also had a strong bipartisan record, and had worked vigorously on issues including infrastructure, criminal justice reform, and food policy. The race was a tossup throughout much of the year, and both candidates ran strong campaigns, bombarding the airwaves with advertisements and crisscrossing the state. Going into Election Day, the outcome was still in doubt.

Carney ultimately prevailed over Bonini, 51.35-48.65%, a margin of 2.70%. His victory was attributable to the coattails of President W.C. Rutherford, who annihilated Senator T.P. Leach in the state, 69.50-30.50%, a margin of 39.00%. Bonini, although he had worked to disassociate himself from the national ticket, proved unable to sway enough voters to his side. Despite the closeness of his victory, Carney managed to win all three counties, with Kent County being the narrowest.

Jay Nixon (Missouri)
Two-term incumbent Governor Jay Nixon was term-limited in 2016. U.S. Senator and 2004 gubernatorial nominee Claire McCaskill and State Treasurer Clint Zweifel declined to run for Governor. On August 3, 2016, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster won the nomination with a dominating 79% of the primary vote.

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. State Representative Bart Korman and U.S. Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer declined to run for Governor. On August 3, 2016, Greitens won the nomination with 35% of the vote.

At first the race was competitive, with Koster leading Greitens by 1-3 pt. margins in most of the available public polls. Greitens attracted a considerable number of voters who were alienated by the Republican presidential nominee, Senator Leach, due to his charisma, moderate views on health and agricultural policy, and record of military service. Indeed, by early October, in spite of the fact that Leach trailed President Rutherford in Missouri by more then twenty percentage points, Greitens was actually starting to pull ahead of Koster. However, later that month, an "October Surprise" was dropped when a staff member of Greitens's accused him of blackmail and sexual harassment. Greitens, although he vigorously denied the accusations, was hurt badly by them, marring his earlier image as a family man. His position in the polls collapsed, and Koster regained the lead during the final days before the election.

On Election Day, he defeated Greitens by a large margin of 16.06%, obtaining 58.03% of the vote to Greitens's 41.97%. Greitens still ran ahead of Senator Leach, who lost the state to President Rutherford 64.05-35.95%, a margin of 28.10%. Exit polls revealed that some voters remained in doubt about the allegations, but that Koster won the large majority of those who were swayed by them.

Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire)
Two-term incumbent Governor Maggie Hassan mounted an ultimately unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate. Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern ran for the Democratic nomination. He defeated Deputy Secretary of State and Director of Securities Regulation Mark Connolly, obtaining 68% of the primary vote.

Executive Councilor Chris Sununu, State Representative and entrepreneur Frank Edelbut, and former State Senator Jon Lavoie ran for the Republican nomination. Sununu withdrew prior to the primary date due to medical concerns. Lavoie ultimately won the nomination in an upset over Edelbut with 51% of the primary vote.

Van Ostern, who like Hassan was firmly pro-choice, was nevertheless a strong advocate for Medicaid expansion, energy investment, and drug policy reform. He had helped reorganize the state's Drug Review Commission, and had also helped implement reforms to its community policing, parole, and child custody systems. Lavoie, on his part, although he pointed to his advocacy for drug policy measures and for infrastructure development, was opposed to Medicaid expansion (a popular policy in New Hampshire), possessed little charisma, and was underfunded. Van Ostern gained a comfortable lead in the polls, and he performed well at the debates.

On Election Day, Van Ostern handily defeated Lavoie, obtaining 58.96% of the vote to Lavoie's 40.67%, a victory margin of 18.29%. Lavoie won only Carroll County, long the most Republican county in New Hampshire. He ran ahead of Senator Leach, who lost the state overwhelmingly to President Rutherford 66.08-30.88%, and behind Senator Ayotte, who narrowly won re-election over Governor Hassan, 48.35-45.17%. New Hampshire saw one of the highest rates of ticket-splitting in the country in 2016.

Alejandro García Padilla (Puerto Rico)
One-term incumbent Governor Alejandro García Padilla was eligible to run for re-election, but chose to retire. García Padilla was a member of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP).

David Bernier, former Secretary of State of Puerto Rico and former President of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee, was unopposed for the PDP nomination.

Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Pedro Pierluisi, who was affiliated with the New Progressive Party (PNP) and activist and political commentator Ricky Rosselló sought the PNP nomination for governor. Rosselló won the nomination with 61% of the vote. Independents Alexandra Lúgaro and Manuel Cidre also ran for the governorship, as well as María De Lourdes Santiago for the Puerto Rico Independence Party and Rafael Bernabe Riefkohl for the Workers People's Party.

Rosselló won the election, obtaining 41.76% of the vote to Bernier's 38.92%, a victory margin of 2.84%. Lúgaro received 11.12%, Cidre 5.72%, Santiago 2.13%, and Riefkohl 0.34%. Puerto Rico was the only Democratic-held governorship to flip in 2016.

Earl Ray Tomblin (West Virginia)
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin was term-limited in 2016. Tomblin was first elected in a 2011 special election after Joe Manchin resigned following his election to the United States Senate. Tomblin then won a full term in 2012 with 78% of the vote.

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 with 56% of the vote and became the nominee.

Senate Minority Leader Bill Cole, college student and former candidate for Mayor of Pineville Andrew Utterback, and former Bramwell Police Chief and former Republican candidate for the House of Delegates Edwin Vanover ran for the Republican nomination. U.S. Representative David McKinley 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. Cole won the Republican nomination with 71% of the vote.

The election was somewhat competitive throughout much of the year, as Cole, a known quantity in West Virginia, drew much higher support then Senator Leach, whose views on farm subsidies, Medicaid expansion, energy policy, and rural development programs were extremely toxic in this heavily rural and working-class state. As late as September, Cole trailed Justice by just five points, while Leach lagged behind President Rutherford by more then thirty. Justice gained some momentum towards the end of that month, due to a series of blunders made by the Cole campaign.

On Election Day, Justice defeated Cole by a comfortable margin of 9.82%, obtaining 54.91% of the vote to Cole's 45.09%. Cole ran far ahead of Senator Leach, who lost West Virginia in an overwhelming landslide to President Rutherford, 67.94-32.06%, a margin of 35.88%.

Jack Dalrymple (North Dakota)
One-term incumbent Governor Jack Dalrymple declined to seek re-election. Dalrymple had won his first term with 63% of the vote in 2012, after first taking the seat in 2010 upon the special election victory of then Governor John Hoeven to the seat held by the late Byron Dorgan (Democrat). Dalrymple was previously Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota from 2000 to 2010.

Republican candidates included Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, businessman Doug Burgum, and State Representative and plastic surgeon Rick Becker. Stenehjem won the Republican primary with 58% of the vote.

U.S Representative Earl Pomeroy, State Senator George B. Sinner, State Senate Minority Leader Mac Schneider, and State Representative Marvin Nelson ran for the Democratic nomination. Pomeroy won the primary with 66% of the vote.

The race proved competitive from the very beginning, as Stenehjem, who had served as Attorney General of North Dakota since 2000, and Pomeroy, who had been the state's at-large Representative since 1993, were both popular and well-known throughout the state. Stenehjem pointed to his work in drug policy reform, particularly in expanding treatment programs, restricting the sale of products used in the manufacture of methamphetamines, and in increasing criminal penalties for drug dealers. He also highlighted his efforts to crack down on corruption and business fraud. Pomeroy highlighted his strong advocacy for Medicaid expansion, his work on the Comprehensive Energy Strategies Act, and his efforts to increase federal subsidies for the Keystone pipeline project. Stenehjem and Pomeroy exchanged the lead in the polls for months, but in October, news of a controversy involving Agent Arne Rummel and concerning his unlawful seizure of private property during an investigation, damaged Stenehjem's standing and allowed for Pomeroy to pull away. Pomeroy was also helped by the unpopularity of Senator Leach, who trailed President Rutherford by a substantial margin in the state.

Ultimately, on Election Day, Pomeroy won with 55.74% of the vote to Stenehjem's 44.26%, a margin of 11.48%. Stenehjem still ran ahead of Senator Leach, who lost to President Rutherford in the state 57.97-41.88%, and ahead of State Senator Tom Campbell, who lost to incumbent Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp 61.27-37.80%.

Mike Pence (Indiana)
One-term incumbent Governor Mike Pence announced his intention to run for re-election. Pence had won in 2012 with 50% of the vote. He 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 the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, but ultimately decided not to. However, he withdrew his bid for a second term on July 15, 2016, following his diagnosis with testicular cancer. 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 unopposed.

Holcomb, a businessman who had won praise for his service as Lieutenant Governor, and was a strong advocate of infrastructure reform, energy investment, and drug policy reform, successfully disassociated himself from the national ticket of Senator Leach, whose views on those and other issues were out of step in Indiana. Gregg, who like Holcomb had strong approval ratings and had worked to balance the state budget, cut taxes, and to reform campaign finances during his time as Speaker, polled well and ran a strong campaign. Ultimately, however, he was unable to overcome Holcomb's incumbency.

On Election Day, Holcomb defeated Gregg 52.72-47.13%, a margin of 5.59%. Voters had struggled with their choices, as the final result indicated, but Holcomb's economic platform and executive experience ultimately won them over. Gregg nevertheless performed better then former Senator Evan Bayh, who lost his race to U.S. Representative Todd Young 53.79-46.21%. Both Gregg and Bayh ran far behind President Rutherford, who decisively defeated Senator Leach in the state, 55.98-43.56%. Exit polls revealed that roughly 7% of the electorate split their tickets for Rutherford, Young, and Holcomb.

Jay Inslee (Washington)
One-term incumbent Governor Jay Inslee ran for re-election. Inslee was elected in 2012 with 52% 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.

Inslee was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Seattle Port Commissioner Bill Bryant was unopposed for the Republican nomination. in Inslee, a liberal Democrat who had worked on issues such as education reform, mental health reform, and infrastructure reform, enjoyed good approval ratings and led Bryant by sizable margins throughout the campaign. On Election Day, Inslee won re-election to a second term with 55.85% of the vote, with Bryant receiving 44.15%. Bryant, a moderate Republican who had emphasized infrastructure reform and technology investment on his platform, ran far ahead of Senator Leach, who lost Washington in a landslide to President Rutherford, 61.97-37.37%.

Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga (American Samoa)
One-term incumbent Governor Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga ran for re-election. Moliga was elected in 2012 with 53% of the vote in the second round, after taking 34% 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 was opposed in the general election by former Lieutenant Governor Faoa Aitofele Sunia. Both Moliga and Sunia were registered Democrats, but all American Samoa elections are officially nonpartisan.

On Election Day, Moliga won re-election in a landslide, with 60.20% of the vote. Sunia obtained 35.80%, losing to Moliga by a margin of 24.40%. Registered independent Tuika Tuika received the remaining 4.00% of the vote.

Pat McCrory (North Carolina)
One-term incumbent Governor Pat McCrory ran for re-election. McCrory was elected in 2012 with 55% of the vote. He had previously served as Mayor of Charlotte from 1995 to 2009.

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper defeated former State Representative Kenneth Spaulding for the Democratic nomination. Cooper obtained 65% of the primary vote. Former Chapel Hill Councilman James Proxman had also run for the nomination, but withdrew before the vote. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx decided not to run.

McCrory, who had initially enjoyed high approval ratings during his first few years as Governor, saw his numbers collapse beginning in 2015, with his signing of the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act (PFPS). This Act, which many contended was in violation of federal civil rights laws, eliminated multiple anti-discrimination policies concerning race, gender, and veteran or military service, and it prohibited municipalities from establishing a local minimum wage. The PFPS sparked a local and national reaction, leading to hundreds of businesses pulling contracts, locations, and events from North Carolina, and costing the state hundreds of millions of dollars as well as thousands of jobs. McCrory had also come under fire for his comments on higher education, for signing into law additional abortion restrictions (in violation of his campaign pledge), for signing a series of controversial executive orders concerning the death penalty, and for opposing Medicaid expansion, which polls revealed was a popular policy within North Carolina. Cooper, who received strong support from the national Democratic Party, hammered McCrory over PFPS, Medicaid expansion, criminal justice, and education, among other issues. McCrory was further undermined by Senator Leach, whose views on agricultural policy and Social Security were anathema within the state. By October, Cooper held a large lead in the polls.

On Election Day, McCrory lost re-election to Cooper by a wide margin, obtaining 43.41% of the vote to Cooper's 56.59%. This was a margin of 13.18%. Cooper slightly overperformed President Rutherford, who beat Senator Leach in the state 56.15-43.85%, a margin of 12.30%. Both Rutherford and Cooper ran ahead of Democratic Senatorial candidate Deborah Ross, who lost to incumbent Republican Senator Richard Burr 50.35-46.32%. Exit polls revealed that approximately 9% of North Carolina voters split their tickets for Rutherford, Cooper, and Burr.

Gary Herbert (Utah)
Incumbent Governor Gary Herbert ran for re-election. He was the Lieutenant Governor of Utah from 2005 to 2009 and then became Governor after Jon Huntsman, Jr. resigned to become the United States Ambassador to China. He won the seat in a 2010 special election and was elected to his first full term with 56% of the vote.

Herbert was opposed by businessman Jonathan Johnson for the Republican nomination, but he defeated Johnson, obtaining 67% of the primary vote.

Businessman Michael Weinholtz was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. U.S. Representative Jim Matheson declined to run for the governorship.

Herbert, a conservative Republican who nevertheless had libertarian tendencies on issues such as medical marijuana, parental rights, and gun rights, had good approval ratings and led Weinholtz, who many in Utah respected for his business acumen, strong moral values, and solid economic platform, by sizable margins throughout the campaign.

On Election Day, Herbert won re-election to a second full term with 58.28% of the vote to Weinholtz's 41.35%, a margin of 16.93%. Weinholtz ran ahead of Democratic Senatorial candidate Jackie Biskupski, who lost in a landslide to incumbent Republican Senator Mike Lee, 67.13-31.74%, but behind President Rutherford, who won Utah over Senator Leach 54.86-45.14%. Ticket-splitting was substantial in Utah in 2016, as in many other states across the country due to Rutherford's huge landslide over Leach. Exit polls indicated that 13% of Utah voters split their tickets for Rutherford, Herbert, and Lee.