In 2024, the United States held gubernatorial elections in eleven states and two territories. These elections were significant in shaping the political landscape at both state and national levels. This topic provides an overview of the states and territories that held gubernatorial elections in 2024, the outcomes, and their implications.
States with Gubernatorial Elections
The eleven states that held gubernatorial elections in 2024 were:
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
Additionally, two U.S. territories-American Samoa and Puerto Rico-also held gubernatorial elections in 2024.
Election Outcomes by State
Delaware
In Delaware, the incumbent governor was term-limited, leading to an open race. Democratic candidate Matt Meyer won the election with 56.1% of the vote, defeating Republican Michael Ramone, who secured 43.9%.
Indiana
Indiana’s incumbent governor was also term-limited. Republican Mike Braun won the governorship with 54.4% of the vote, while Democrat Jennifer McCormick received 41.1%. Libertarian candidate Donald Rainwater garnered 4.5%.
Missouri
With the incumbent governor term-limited, Missouri’s gubernatorial race saw Republican Mike Kehoe winning decisively with 59.2% of the vote. Democratic candidate Crystal Quade received 38.7%, while Libertarian Bill Slantz and Green Party candidate Paul Lehmann received 1.4% and 0.8%, respectively.
Montana
Incumbent Republican Governor Greg Gianforte was re-elected with 58.9% of the vote. Democratic challenger Ryan Busse secured 38.6%, and Libertarian Kaiser Leib received 2.5%.
New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, incumbent Republican Governor Chris Sununu decided not to seek re-election. Republican Kelly Ayotte won the open seat with 53.6% of the vote, defeating Democrat Joyce Craig, who received 44.3%. Libertarian Stephen Villee garnered 2.1%.
North Carolina
Term limits prevented incumbent Democratic Governor Roy Cooper from seeking re-election. Democrat Josh Stein won the governorship with 54.9% of the vote, defeating Republican Mark Robinson, who secured 40.1%. Libertarian Mike Ross, Constitution Party candidate Vinny Smith, and Green Party candidate Wayne Turner received 3.2%, 1.0%, and 0.9%, respectively.
North Dakota
Incumbent Republican Governor Doug Burgum chose not to run for a third term. Republican Kelly Armstrong won the election with 68.4% of the vote. Democratic-NPL candidate Merrill Piepkorn received 26.0%, and Independent Michael Coachman secured 5.6%.
Utah
Republican incumbent Governor Spencer Cox was re-elected with 52.9% of the vote. Democrat Brian King received 28.5%, while write-in candidate Phil Lyman secured 13.4%. Libertarian Robert Latham, Independent American Party candidate Tommy Williams, and Independent Tom Tomeny received 2.8%, 1.9%, and 0.4%, respectively.
Vermont
Incumbent Republican Governor Phil Scott was re-elected with a commanding 73.4% of the vote. Democrat Esther Charlestin received 21.8%, while Independent Kevin Hoyt, Green Mountain Party candidate June Goodband, and Independent Eli Mutino secured 2.6%, 1.2%, and 0.7%, respectively.
Washington
Democratic incumbent Governor Jay Inslee chose not to seek re-election. Democrat Bob Ferguson won the open seat with 55.7% of the vote, defeating Republican Dave Reichert, who received 44.3%.
West Virginia
Term limits prevented incumbent Republican Governor Jim Justice from running again. Republican Patrick Morrisey won the governorship with 62.0% of the vote. Democrat Steve Williams received 31.6%, while Libertarian Erika Kolenich, Constitution Party candidate Marshall Wilson, and Mountain Party candidate Chase Linko-Looper secured 2.9%, 2.3%, and 1.3%, respectively.
Territorial Gubernatorial Elections
American Samoa
In American Samoa, incumbent Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga sought re-election but was defeated in a runoff election. Pula Nikolao Pula won the governorship with 59.8% of the vote in the runoff, after neither candidate secured a majority in the initial election.
Puerto Rico
Incumbent Governor Pedro
