United States gubernatorial elections, 2009
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The U.S. gubernatorial elections of 2009 will be held in November 2009 in the states of New Jersey and Virginia. Both governorships are presently held by Democrats elected in 2005. These elections will form part of the 2009 U.S. general election.
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[edit] Parties
As of September 2007, the Democratic Party holds 28 governorships, while the Republican Party holds 22. However, these numbers are almost certain to change as a result of the 2008 gubernatorial elections.
[edit] Election Summaries
Two governorships are up for election in 2009; both are currently held by Democrats. One incumbent governor is term-limited, while the other is eligible to run again.
[edit] Retiring Democratic
[edit] Tim Kaine (Virginia)
Virginia's term-limits law restricts Governor Tim Kaine to a single term.
Popular Democratic former Governor Mark Warner, Kaine's predecessor, was thought to be interested in running again for his old job (for which he is eligible, as Virginia's term limits only prohibit consecutive terms). No other serious Democrat is likely to mount a campaign if Warner runs; however, Warner has indicated he will seek the open U.S. Senate seat in 2008, and his candidacy for the governor would hinge on the outcome of that race. Former Governor and Senator Charles Robb and State Delegate Brian Moran are sometimes mentioned. State senator Creigh Deeds, who ran for Attorney General of Virginia in 2005, is sometimes mentioned as a possible alternative. State Treasurer Braxton Powell is also sometimes mentioned as a possible candidate.
Among the Republicans, Attorney-General Bob McDonnell announced his intention to run at American Legion's Boy's State of Virginia 2007. This would be the sixth consecutive Virginian gubernatorial election where an elected Attorney General has run. However, McDonnell is also a possible candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in 2008. Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling is also a likely candidate, as is former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore. Other possible candidates include Congressmen Bob Goodlatte, Randy Forbes, Rob Wittman, Eric Cantor and Tom Davis. Former Governor Jim Gilmore is also occasionally mentioned.
[edit] Democratic Incumbents
[edit] Jon Corzine (New Jersey)
Democratic Governor Jon Corzine is eligible to run for a second term, and is expected to do so. No Republicans have yet announced plans to challenge him. He may be vulnerable given a number of recent scandals and low approval ratings [1].
[edit] Polling
| Source | Date | Jon Corzine (D) | Replacing with a Republican | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac University | December 11,2007 | 41% | 31% | 28% |
[edit] Covenant Incumbents
[edit] Benigno Repeki Fitial (Northern Mariana Islands)
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