By Kae Warnock and Wendy Underhill

Thirty-six governors races will be decided on Election Day.

Nice to know, but isn’t that in the purview of the National Governors Association? Indeed. But who occupies the governors’ mansions matters to NCSL members as well for at least three reasons.

First, governors, while not members of the legislature, are key players in the legislative process. They set agendas, wield vetoes and have high visibility. Who gets elected matters in terms of legislative outcomes.

Second, governors are part of the triad that makes up state political control. When both legislative chambers and the governorship are all held by the same party, that’s the “triple crown” of state political control.

Going into November’s election, all but 11 states have a triple crown, whether in the hands of Democrats or Republicans. And in eight of those states—Arkansas, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico and Virginia—both chambers are in one party’s control and the current governor is of the other.

Three of those eight states have governors races this year: Arkansas, Maine and Nevada. Funny thing, those are three of the states where party control of at least one legislative chamber is “in play” as well.

Third, a number of gubernatorial candidates are former legislators, and we like to know where our alumni land. (If we missed any, please let us know.)

• Arkansas: Michael Avery "Mike" Ross (D) served in the Arkansas Senate (1990-2000) and is a former U.S. representative.
• Georgia: Jason Carter (D) is a member of the Georgia Senate (and the grandson of President Jimmy Carter).
• Hawaii: David Ige (D), a state senator, upset the incumbent governor in the primary.
• Iowa: Jack Hatch, the Democratic challenger, is a state senator.
• Kansas: Paul Davis, the Democratic challenger, has served in the Kansas House of Representatives since 2003.
• Maine: Mike Michaud, the Democratic candidate, served in the Maine House of Representatives (1980-1994) and the Senate (1994-2002), where he was president.
• Maryland: Anthony Brown (D) served in the Maryland House of Delegates (1999-2007) and is the current lieutenant governor.
• Michigan: Democratic challenger Mark Schauer served in the Michigan House (1997-2002) and the Senate (2003-2009). He also served a term in the U.S. House of Representatives 2009-2011.
• Oklahoma: Democratic challenger Joe Dorman has served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives since 2003.
• Oregon: Republican challenger Dennis Richardson has served in the Oregon House of Representatives since 2003.
• South Carolina: Democratic challenger Vincent Sheheen has been a member of the state Senate since 2004 and was a member of the House (2000-2004).
• South Dakota: Democratic challenger Susan Wismer has served in the House of Representatives since 2009.

Check with NCSL on Nov. 5 to see data and analysis on all the states where the governor’s race affects legislative politics.

Kae Warnock and Wendy Underhill are part of NCSL's Legislative Management team.

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