2006 Gubernatorial Elections

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Tuesday August 24, 2004 · 2:53 PM PDT

2004/08/24 · 14:53

One of the reasons Daily Kos exists, and will continue to exist beyond 2004, is because it is primarily dedicated to political affacionados and to the discussion of political and electoral strategy in any given election year.

As such, and as a break of the Swift Boat nonesense and the politics of this election year, I want to start a discussion as to the 2006 Gubernatorial Elections.

It is never too early to start recruiting candidates in those seats who don't currently hold, and it is never too early to start thinking who the opposition will throw up against our incumbents. As you will see, the Republicans, given that they hold more Governorships, have more seats to defend and hold. Thus, we just might have an advantage.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagoyavich (D)
Assuming he is running for reelection. What are his chances? Who will the decimated IL GOP put up?

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R)
Depending on what happens with Senator Kerry's Senate seat after he vacates it to serve as President, Romney should be running for reelection. Who do we have to face him?

Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R).
Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley and Montgomery County Executive Douglas Duncan will most likely face off in the Democratic Primary. Who else will jump in the ring? What are our chances of removing the "Grinning One" from office?

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R).
Is he term limited? I believe either he is or he is just not running again. I have heard talk that Kay Bailey Hutchinson will be running for the Governorship. Anyone else on the Republican side? How about our Lone Star State Democrats?

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R).
Thank the Lord Jesus, he is term limited. Assuming he is running for reelection. Who will be the GOP and the Dem candidates in the primary? Reno again? McBride again? Whoever isn't the Senate nominees of their respective parties? Whoever loses the Senate race?

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley (R)
Assuming he is running for reelection.

Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski (R)
Assuming he is running for reelection.

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D)
Assuming she is running for reelection.

Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R)
I think he is term limited if Arkansas has term limits. But they might not since Bill Clinton served for decades. But Huckabee will be at the end of his second term.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R)
Will he run again? Will he face a primary challenge from conservative Republicans? Who do the Democrats have besides Bustamante? I have heard rumors that Senator Feinstein will run? What are her chances?

Colorado Gov. Bill Owens (R)
I believe he is term limited. Who will replace him?

Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R)
Will she run for the job in her own right?

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue (R)
Assuming he is running for reelection.

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle (R)
Assuming she is running for reelection.

Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne (R)
Is he term limited? I think he has served two terms. But that is all I know about Idaho.

Iowa Gov. Thomas Vilsack (D)
I think he is also term limited. I also think he will be in the Kerry Cabinet, so we might be dealing with the Lt. Governor running for election in his or her own right. Who is the Lt. Governor. What are his or her chances? Who do the Republicans have in this toss up battleground state?

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D)
Assuming she is running for reelection.

Maine Gov. John Baldacci (D)
Assuming he is running for reelection.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D)
Assuming she is running for reelection.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R)
Assuming he is running for reelection.

Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns (R)
Know nothing about him. Is he term limited? Are there Democrats in Nebraska? Any with credibility to run and win in this Republican state?

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn (R)
I think he is term limited. Who we got?

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D)
Assuming he is running for reelection.

New York Gov. George Pataki (R)
I have heard that he may run again, but it will depend on how things are going in the state. Elliot Spitzer is rumored to be running on our side.

Ohio Gov. Bob Taft (R)
I think he is term limited. Please let there be a well known Democrat in Ohio besides Jerry Springer.

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry (D)
Assuming he is running for reelection. Who do the Republicans have?

Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D)
Assuming he is running for reelection.

Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell (D)
Fast Eddie will run for reelection for reelection. I don't believe he will be in the Kerry Cabinet, and I don't think he will run for Santorum's seat. The Republicans in PA really have no one to face him, at least based on my cursory analysis. Most statewide offices are held by Dems or soon to be Dems.

Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri (R)
Assuming he is running for reelection.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R)
Assuming he is running for reelection.

South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds (R)
Assuming he is running for reelection.

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D)
Assuming he is running for reelection.

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D)
Assuming he is running for reelection.

Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D)
Assuming he is running for reelection.

Offer your wisdom and knowledge and fill in the blanks. Thanks!

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