2022 is a big year for governor elections. We’ve got a whopping 36 of them!

Today we’re taking a quick look at which states have races coming up next year, which party is currently in the seat, whether or not the incumbent is eligible to run again, and how the race is rated at this early point in the game. (I generally use Cook Political Report for the ratings.)

The reason I like to take a look at these races this far in advance is it’s good to know well ahead of time who will need support in terms of dollars and volunteers, and also so we can get ahead of the race. We can all help boost the Democratic governors in tight races by sharing good stories of their effective leadership and the great results they’ve gotten for their state, and for Republicans, we can point out how their policies have been detrimental to their citizens. Which of these races will you be focusing on?

The ratings: Safe D – Likely D – Lean D – Toss Up – Lean R – Likely R – Safe R

The Most Flippable

Republican held governorships: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Maryland

Democratic held governorships: Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin

Here’s the details for every state with a governor’s race in 2022:

Alabama

The current governor is Republican Kay Ivey. She’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Republican.

Alaska

The current governor is Republican Mike Dunleavy. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Republican.

Arizona

The current governor is Republican Doug Ducey. He’s NOT eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as a Toss Up.

Arkansas

The current governor is Republican Asa Hutchinson. He’s NOT eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Republican.

California

The current governor is Democrat Gavin Newsom. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Democratic.

Colorado

The current governor is Democrat Jared Polis. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Democratic.

Connecticut

The current governor is Democrat Ned Lamont. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Democratic.

Florida

The current governor is Republican Ron DeSantis. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Lean Republican.

Georgia

The current governor is Republican Brian Kemp. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Lean Republican.

Hawaii

The current governor is Democrat David Ige. He’s NOT eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Democratic.

Idaho

The current governor is Republican Brad Little. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Republican.

Illinois

The current governor is Democrat J.B. Pritzker. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Democratic.

Iowa

The current governor is Republican Kim Reynolds. She’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Likely Republican.

Kansas

The current governor is Democrat Laura Kelly. She’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Lean Democratic.

Maine

The current governor is Democrat Janet T. Mills. She’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Likely Democratic.

Maryland

The current governor is Republican Larry Hogan. He’s NOT eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as a Toss Up.

Massachusetts

The current governor is Republican Charles D. Baker. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Republican.

Michigan

The current governor is Democrat Gretchen Whitmer. She’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Lean Democratic.

Minnesota

The current governor is Democrat Tim Walz. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Likely Democratic.

Nebraska

The current governor is Republican Pete Ricketts. He’s NOT eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Republican.

Nevada

The current governor is Democrat Steve Sisolak. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Likely Democratic.

New Hampshire

The current governor is Republican Chris Sununu. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Republican.

New Mexico

The current governor is Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham. She’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Democratic.

New York

The current governor is Democrat Andrew Cuomo. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Democratic.

Ohio

The current governor is Republican Mike DeWine. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Likely Republican.

Oklahoma

The current governor is Republican Kevin Stitt. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Republican.

Oregon

The current governor is Democrat Kate Brown. She’s NOT eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Democratic.

Pennsylvania

The current governor is Democrat Tom Wolf. He’s NOT eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as a Toss Up.

Rhode Island

The current governor is Democrat Gina Raimondo. She is also Joe Biden’s nominee to become the Secretary of Commerce, and is expected to be confirmed soon, so this race will not have an incumbent.

This race is currently rated as Safe Democratic.

South Carolina

The current governor is Republican Henry McMaster. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Republican.

South Dakota

The current governor is Republican Kristi Noem. She’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Republican.

Tennessee

The current governor is Republican Bill Lee. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Republican.

Texas

The current governor is Republican Greg Abbott. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Likely Republican.

Vermont

The current governor is Republican Phil Scott. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Republican.

Wisconsin

The current governor is Democrat Tony Evers. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Lean Democratic.

Wyoming

The current governor is Republican Mark Gordon. He’s eligible to run again.

This race is currently rated as Safe Republican.

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Categories: Uncategorized

Tags: 2022 Midterms, featured, governors, gubernatorial elections