The Governors' Races Give Democrats Victories
Only 11 states elected governors Tuesday, but the outcome will have considerable impact in the redistricting that takes place after the 2000 census. Democrats held on to governorships in
Delaware, New Hampshire, Indiana, New Hampshire and North Carolina
-- and scored an upset in West Virginia, where Gov. Cecil Underwood
lost to Rep. Bob Wise. Going into Tuesday, Republicans held 30 governors' mansions to the Democrats' 18. They had been in a 19-30 minority until a 1994 sweep that launched a series of GOP victories. Neither of the independent governors, Minnesota's Jesse Ventura or Maine's Angus King, face elections this year. Democrats were defending 7 governorships, four of them incumbents. Republican governors faced but four reelection bids, two of those incumbents.
Results
In Delaware, Democrat Lt. Gov. Ruth Ann Minner defeated her Republican rival, former Chamber of Commerce president John Burris for the seat left open when Democratic Gov. Tom Carver decided to run for the Senate.
Indiana's Frank O'Bannon was easily relected in the Hoosier State, defeating Republican David McIntosh.
Of the five open seats, Missouri's is considered one of the toughest to call. Democratic governor Mel Carnahan, who died in October, had vacated the seat to run for the Senate, and Republican Rep. James Talent is in a dead heat against state auditor Bob Holden.
Montana's Republican Gov. Marc Racicot has also exhausted his term allowance. Democrats hope their man, auditor Mark O'Keefe, will capture the mansion by fighting off Republican Lt. Gov. Judy Martz.
Voters in New Hampshire returned Jean Shaheen to
office. Shaheen had been mentioned as a potential running mate for Vice President Al Gore, but asked that her name be taken off the list.
North Carolina had a hot contest over the seat left open by the popular but term-limited Democrat Jim Hunt. Attorney General Mike Easley kept the state for his party by defeating Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot.
North Dakota's contest over retiring Republican Edward Schafer's seat was a close one too. But Democrat Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp lost to Republican banker John Hoeven.
In Utah, Republican Michael Leavitt defeated Democrat Bill Orton.
In
Vermont Democrat Howard Dean rolled to victory.
Washington's Gary Locke won re-election over Republican John Carlson.
West Virginia's Republican incumbent Gov. Cecil Underwood lost to Democratic U.S. Rep. Bob Wise.
Related Stories:
Missouri Governor Death (14.4 | 28.8)
Morning Edition, October 17, 2000
(Update) Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan died last night in a plane crash that also killed his son and a senior aide. Carnahan had served two terms as governor and was locked in a close Senate race with freshman Republican John Ashcroft. Host Bob Edwards talks with NPR's David Welna in St. Louis.
Vermont Civil Union Backlash (14.4 | 28.8)
All Things Considered, October 24, 2000
Steve Young of Vermont Public Radio reports on the turmoil in that state's politics, since the state legislature voted to approve civil unions. Governor Howard Dean, a once-popular Democrat who had been a shoo-in for re-election, has come under heavy criticism from an anti-civil union movement called "Take Back Vermont." Even if Dean survives, his fellow Democrats in the legislature, who constitute a majority, may not. The anger may last beyond Election Day.
Corzine Defeats Florio (14.4 | 28.8)
Morning Edition, June 7, 2000
From member station WNYC, Andrea Bernstein reports on the victory of millionaire John Corzine in yesterday's Democratic Senate Primary in New Jersey. Corzine defeated former New Jersey governor Jim Florio and will run against Republican Bob Franks in November.
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