New Print Edition: 2009-2010 Gubernatorial Outlook

The January 23, 2009 print edition of the Rothenberg Political Report is on its way to subscribers.

The print edition of the Report comes out every two weeks. Subscribers get in-depth analysis of the most competitive races in the country, as well as quarterly House and Senate ratings, and coverage of the gubernatorial races nationwide. To subscribe, simply click on the Google checkout button on the website or send a check.

Here is a brief preview of this edition:

2009-2010 Gubernatorial Outlook
By Nathan L. Gonzales

Last year was considered a “light” year for governors, with only eleven states electing a chief executive. But over the next two years, 38 states will vote for governor, including at least 17 open seats, and nine of the ten most populous states in the country.

Democrats gained a governorship in 2008, bringing their nationwide advantage to 29-21. But Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano’s (D) appointment to the Obama cabinet, and the subsequent succession by Secretary of State Jan Brewer (R) to the state’s top office, brought the governors back to pre-2008 levels: 28 Democrats and 22 Republicans.

It’s way too early to handicap overall prospects, but Republicans could make significant gains in governorships in 2010. Democrats must now defend in a number of GOP-leaning states (such as Kansas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, and Tennessee) that they’ve held for six years but are coming open because of term limits. On the other hand, Republicans will have difficulty holding California and smaller Democratic states such as Hawaii and Rhode Island.


Subscribers to the print edition get a state-by-state rundown and analysis of all 38 races.