2009 Governor's Chairs by State

The Green Papers: 2009 General Election

2009 Governor's Chairs
by State

2 Governor's Chairs up for election in 2009

2 Democratic

2 Elected

2 Republican

48 Governor's Chairs not up for election in 2009

26 Open Governor's Chairs (voluntary retirement, seeking other political office, term limits)

1 Incumbent renominated by same party

1 Democratic

16 Candidates seeking a Governor's Chair (Candidates may run under the banner of multiple parties. Hence, the number of parties may be greater than the number of candidates.)

This is a list of the current Governors' chairs, the incumbents occupying them, and the candidacy status of said incumbents. Chairs up for election in the year 2009 are marked as such.

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Gubernatorial Links



Alabama 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Bob Riley • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Alaska 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Sean R. Parnell • Entered office 26 July 2009 upon the resignation of Governor Governor Sarah H. Palin. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
	Republican Governor Sarah H. Palin, who was first elected in 2006, resigned on 26 July 2009. She had announced her resignation on 26 July.

Arizona 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: The Governor can not serve for more than 8 years
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Janice K. "Jan" Brewer • Appointed: 2009 (by Governor Janet Napolitano who resigned upon confirmation as Secretary of Homeland Security) • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
	20 January 2009: Governor Janet Napolitano, who was first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006, resigned her Chair to become Secretary of Homeland Security in the Obama Administration. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate viva voce (by voice vote). Pursuant to law, Ms. Napolitano transmitted the following letter to Arizona�s Secretary of State: Dear Secretary Brewer: It has been my honor to serve the people of Arizona as Governor. I look forward to continuing to serve Arizona, our new president, and all the people of our great nation in my new role as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 38-294, please accept this letter as my official resignation from the Office of the Governor effective upon my confirmation. Very truly yours, Janet Napolitano Governor 20 January 2009: Secretary of State Janice K. "Jan" Brewer (Republican) became governor upon Governor Janet Napolitano's resignation to become Secretary of Homeland Security.

Arkansas 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Mike Beebe • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

California 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger • First elected in a special election: 2003; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Colorado 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Willliam "Bill" Ritter, Jr. • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Connecticut 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor M. Jodi Rell • succeeded to the Governorship, 1 July 2004, upon the resignation of Governor John Rowland who had announced said resignation on 21 June 2004; First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • Open Chair - 9 November 2009: Said she will not seek re-election in 2010.

Delaware 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Jack A. Markell • First elected: 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Florida 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Charlie Crist • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Open Chair - 12 May 2009: Announced he is running for the U.S. Senate Class 3 Seat in 2010.

Georgia 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Sonny Perdue • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Hawaii 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Linda Lingle • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Idaho 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

Illinois 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Patrick "Pat" Quinn • Entered office 29 January 2009 upon the removal from office of Governor Rod Blagojevich. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010
	Friday 9 January 2009: ILLINOIS GOVERNOR IMPEACHED; NOW FACES TRIAL IN STATE SENATE The ILLINOIS House of Representatives has voted to impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-Illinois) by a vote of 114-1; a trial on the charges brought against the Governor by the House will now have to be held in the State Senate, the other chamber in the Land of Lincoln's bicameral General Assembly; the sole punishment which can be brought to bear as a a result of such a trial would be removal of the Governor from office (which would make no difference as regards the Federal criminal charges Blagojevich currently faces, as these will have to adjudicated in Federal court). Blagojevich remained defiant in a news conference during which he responded to the House action, claiming that, among the reasons he had been impeached, one was "because I've done things to fight for families". Thursday 29 January 2009 ILLINOIS GOVERNOR REMOVED FROM OFFICE After a 4-day-long impeachment trial, the ILLINOIS State Senate voted 59 to 0 to convict Governor Rod Blagojevich (Democratic) per the Articles of Impeachment passed by the Illinois House earlier this month. Mr. Blagojevich, who was first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006, is banned from ever again holding office in Illinois. Under Article V, Section 6 (c) of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, the Lieutenant Governor assumes all duties and powers of Governor. Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn becomes the 41st Governor of the State of Illinois, having taken the Oath of Office at 5:40 p.m. on Thursday 29 January 2009. The Oath of Office was administered by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke in a brief ceremony in the Chamber of the Illinois House of Representatives.

Indiana 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 3-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Mitchell E. "Mitch" Daniels, Jr. • First elected: 2004; re-elected 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Iowa 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Chester "Chet" Culver • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

Kansas 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Mark Parkinson • Entered office: 28 April 2008 upon the ascension of Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Open Chair - Governor Parkinson announced that he does not plan to run for election.
	Governor Kathleen Sebelius (Democratic) who was first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006 was nominated for Secretary of Health and Human Services by President Obama on Monday 2 March 2009. On Tuesday 28 April 2009, she was confirmed by a U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote of 65-31 with 3 not voting. A short time afterwards, she resigned her Governor's Chair and was sworn in as a member of President Obama's Cabinet. Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson (Democratic) who was first elected in 2006 was sworn in as Governor of Kansas.

Kentucky 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2007, 2011. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Steven L. "Steve" Beshear • First elected: 2007 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 8 November 2011 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Louisiana 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2007, 2011. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Piyush "Bobby" Jindal • First elected: 2007 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 8 November 2011 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Maine 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms. GOVERNOR is the only Statewide elected officer
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor John Elias Baldacci • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Maryland 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Martin O'Malley • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Massachusetts 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Deval L. Patrick • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

Michigan 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Jennifer M. Granholm • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Minnesota 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Tim Pawlenty • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • Open Chair - 2 June 2009: Announced he would not seek re-election.

Mississippi 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2007, 2011. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Haley Barbour • First elected: 2003; re-elected: 2007 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 8 November 2011 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Missouri 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Jeremiah W. "Jay" Nixon • First elected: 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Montana 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 4-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Brian Schweitzer • First elected: 2004; re-elected: 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Nebraska 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Dave Heineman • Succeeded to the Governor's Chair upon the 20 January 2005 resignation of Governor Mike Johanns; first elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Nevada 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor James Arthur "Jim" Gibbons • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

New Hampshire 2 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2010. Term Limit: None. GOVERNOR is the only Statewide elected officer
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor John Lynch • First elected: 2004; re-elected: 2006, 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

New Mexico 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor William B. "Bill" Richardson • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

New York 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor David A. Paterson • As Lieutenant Governor, succeeded to the Governorship upon the resignation of Governor Eliot L. Spitzer, effective 17 March 2008 (announced 12 March 2008) • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

North Carolina 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Beverly Eaves "Bev" Perdue • First elected: 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

North Dakota 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor John Hoeven • First elected: 2000; re-elected: 2004, 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012

Ohio 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Ted Strickland • First elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Oklahoma 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Brad Henry • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Oregon 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 3-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Theodore R. "Ted" Kulongoski • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Pennsylvania 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Edward G. "Ed" Rendell • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Rhode Island 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Donald L. Carcieri • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

South Carolina 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Marshall C. "Mark" Sanford, Jr. • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

South Dakota 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Mike Rounds • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Tennessee 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms. GOVERNOR is the only Statewide elected officer
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Philip N. "Phil" Bredesen • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Texas 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Rick Perry • Lt. Gov. Rick Perry became Governor 21 December 2000 when George W. Bush resigned to take the office of President of the United States. First elected to a full term: 2002, re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

Utah 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Gary R. Herbert • As Lieutenant Governor, succeeded to the Governorship upon the resignation of Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. (Republican), effective 11 August 2009. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • There will be a special 2010 election to fill out the remainder of former Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.'s term.
	Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. (Republican), who was first elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2008, was nominated in May 2009 by President Barack Obama as Ambassador to China. The U.S. Senate confirmed Governor Huntsman by voice vote on 7 August 2009. The Governor resigned his Chair on 11 August 2009. Lieutenant Governor Gary R. Herbert, who was first elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2008 (the Governor and Lieutenant Governor run on the same ticket), succeeded to the Governorship. State Senator Gregory S. Bell (Republican) was selected on 5 August 2009 by then Lieutenant Governor Herbert as the new Lieutenant Governor.

Vermont 2 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor James H. "Jim" Douglas • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2004, 2006, 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • Open Chair - 27 August 2009: Announced he would not run for re-election
	If no candidate receives 50% of the vote in the November General Election, the state Legislature chooses the next Governor.

Washington 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Christine Gregoire • First elected: 2004; re-elected: 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012

West Virginia 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Joe Manchin, III • First elected: 2004; re-elected: 2008 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit

Wisconsin 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Jim Doyle • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • Open Chair - Circa 15 August 2009: Announced he will not seek re-election.

Wyoming 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 4-term period. The Wyoming Supreme Court determined on 4 May 2004 that term limits require an amendment to the state constitution rather than, as they were, imposed by a 1992 ballot initiative. At the time, the ruling was not applied to statewide offices. Reference: CATHCART v. MEYER, 2004 WY 49, 88 P.3d 1050, Case Number: 04-32, 04-33, 04-34, Decided: 05/04/2004
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

		Democratic	Governor Dave Freudenthal • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit. Note: The Wyoming Supreme Court determined on 4 May 2004 that term limits require an amendment to the state constitution rather than, as they were, imposed by a 1992 ballot initiative. At the time, the ruling was not applied to statewide offices. Reference: CATHCART v. MEYER, 2004 WY 49, 88 P.3d 1050, Case Number: 04-32, 04-33, 04-34, Decided: 05/04/2004

Political Parties Parties appear in parenthesis and italics when a candidate receives the endorsement of a given Party and/or official sources indicate a candidate's association with a particular Party but only where the Party in question does not appear on the actual ballot as such.

Major Parties
	• Democratic
	• Republican
Major Third Parties
	• Libertarian
Other Third Parties
	• Socialist Party USA
Independents
	• Independent
Write-in/Scattered/otherwise not readily classifiable
	• Write-in

Notes

Candidates for office appear on this page in italics where 'The Green Papers' does not yet have independent confirmation from a legal election authority that the person has been officially certified to appear on the ballot.