State executive official elections, 2024
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State executive offices up for election in 2024 included 11 gubernatorial seats, nine lieutenant gubernatorial seats, 10 attorney general seats, and seven secretary of state seats. Including down-ballot races, there were 167 state executive seats up for election across 30 states in 2024.[1]
At the time of the elections, Democrats held 50 state executive offices, Republicans held 86 offices, and nonpartisan officials held 31 offices. As a result of the 2024 elections, Democrats lost four offices, Republicans gained four offices, and the number of nonpartisan officials did not change. Two offices flipped from Republican control to Democratic control, and six flipped from Republican control. 87 incumbents sought re-election, and 74 of them were successfully re-elected. Of the defeated incumbents, nine were defeated in the general election, and four were defeated in the primary.
The election results saw the largest change in party control since 2020, when Democrats lost three offices, Republicans gained four seats, and a nonpartisan official gained one seat. The incumbent re-election rate in 2024 was 85.1%, which is the lowest since 2021 when 66.7% of incumbents were re-elected. The re-election rate in 2020 was 85.8%. To read more about historical election results, click here.
State executives act in many capacities according to the powers granted to them by their state's constitution. They are also charged with implementing and enforcing laws made by state legislatures. There were 748 executive offices spread across 13 distinct types of offices in the United States.[2] Of the 13 executive offices, only seven exist in all 50 states: governor, attorney general, superintendent of schools, insurance commissioner, agriculture commissioner, labor commissioner, and public service commissioner.
Other common offices include lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, controller, auditor, and natural resources commissioner.
In 2022, 307 state executive offices were up for election across 44 states. Twenty offices changed party control, including two previously held Republican lieutenant governorships that changed parties because the governor and lieutenant governor ran on a joint ticket. Of the 18 offices which changed partisan control due to direct election, 10 switched from Democrat to Republican, seven switched from Republican to Democrat, and one nonpartisan official was succeeded by a Republican. A total of 26 incumbents seeking re-election to state executive offices were defeated, with 10 of those losing in the general election and 16 losing in their party's primary or nominating convention.
In 2020, 171 state executive offices were up for election across 29 states. Twenty-one offices changed partisan control. Republicans gained a net four offices and Democrats lost a net three. Twelve offices flipped from Democratic to Republican control, eight flipped from Republican to Democratic control, and one flipped from minor-party to Democratic control. Fifteen incumbents seeking re-election to state executive offices were defeated, with 12 of those losing in the general election and three losing in their party's primary or nominating convention.
While this page includes links to pages on state executive elections in the U.S. Territories, it does not include the territories in its statistics.
Election results, 2024
At the state executive level, there were 11 gubernatorial seats, nine lieutenant gubernatorial seats, 10 attorney general seats, and seven secretary of state seats up for election in 2024. Including down-ballot races, there were 167 state executive seats up for election across 30 states.[3]
No states' triplex status changed following state executive elections in 2024.[4] While the results of state legislative elections in Minnesota and Michigan changed those states' trifecta status, no gubernatorial election results affected any state government trifectas.
- All 11 gubernatorial offices on the ballot in 2024 were won by either the incumbent, or a candidate from the same party as the incumbent. Democrats retained the governorships in Delaware, North Carolina, and Washington, and Republicans retained the governorships in Indiana Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia.
- Nine out of the 10 attorney general offices on the ballot were won by the incumbents' party. Pennsylvania was the only state in which the partisan control of the attorney general's office changed, after Dave Sunday (R) defeated Eugene DePasquale (D). Democrats retained seats in North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. Republicans retained seats in Indiana, Missouri, Montana, and West Virginia.
- Seven secretary of state elections were on the ballot on Nov. 5. Republicans retained secretary of state offices in Missouri, Montana, and West Virginia. Democrats retained secretary of state offices in North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. The state legislatures in Delaware, Maine, and New Hampshire are yet to elect their respective secretaries of state. The legislatures in Delaware and Maine remained Democratic and the New Hampshire Legislature remained Republican.
State executives act in many capacities according to the powers granted to them by their state's constitution. They are also charged with implementing and enforcing laws made by state legislatures. There were 748 executive offices spread across 13 distinct types of offices in the United States.[5] Of the 13 executive offices, only seven exist in all 50 states: governor, attorney general, superintendent of schools, insurance commissioner, agriculture commissioner, labor commissioner, and public service commissioner. Other common offices include lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, controller, auditor, and natural resources commissioner.
Offices up for election
Governor
There were 11 gubernatorial seats up for election in 2024.
Out of all top state executive offices, only the governor and attorney general exist in all 50 states, and only the governor is elected in all 50 states. As the chief executive officer, the governor is among the most powerful figures in state government. Other executive offices ordinarily report to him or her.
- American Samoa
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Puerto Rico
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
Lieutenant Governor
There were nine lieutenant gubernatorial seats on the ballot in 2024.
In 45 states, the lieutenant governor is the second-highest executive office, behind the governor. Although the powers and duties of the lieutenant governor vary from state to state, lieutenant governors are responsible for filling vacancies in the office of governor. In many states, lieutenant governors often sit on boards or commissions, and they are often involved in the proceedings of the state Senate.
- American Samoa
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Missouri
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
Attorney General
There were 10 attorney general seats on the ballot in 2024.
As the state's chief legal officer, the attorney general is responsible for enforcing state law and advising the state government on legal matters. In many states, attorneys general play a large role in the law enforcement process.
Secretary of State
There were seven secretary of state seats on the ballot in 2024.
Although the duties and powers of the secretary of state vary from state to state, a common responsibility is management and oversight of elections and voter rolls, which are assigned to the secretary of state in 41 states. Other common responsibilities include registration of businesses, maintenance of state records, and certification of official documents.
Down-ballot
There were 130 down-ballot state executive seats up for election in 2024.
Auditor
Commissioners
Agriculture Commissioner
Insurance Commissioner
Public Service Commissioner
Other commissioners
- Arizona (corporation)
- Guam (utilities)
- North Carolina (labor)
- Oklahoma (corporation)
- South Dakota (public utilities)
- Texas (railroad)
- Washington (natural resources)
Education officials
Board of Education
- Alabama
- Colorado
- Guam
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Ohio
- Texas
- Utah
- U.S. Virgin Islands
Board of Regents
Superintendent
Other education officials
Treasurer
- Arkansas
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
Other officials
- Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees
- Massachusetts Governor's Council
- New Hampshire Executive Council
- U.S. Virgin Islands Board of Elections
List of candidates
The table below contains a list of all candidates for a top-ballot office in 2024. The table is fully searchable by candidate, party and candidacy status. Depending on the size of your screen, you'll either see a menu to the left of the table or an arrow at the top right corner, which you can use to select a state.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Nonpartisan | Won General Runoff | |
 | Nonpartisan | Lost General | |
 | Nonpartisan | Lost General Runoff | |
 | Nonpartisan | Won General Runoff | |
 | Nonpartisan | Lost General Runoff | |
Nonpartisan | Lost General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Won General | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Lost General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary | |
Independent | Withdrew (Write-in) General | ||
Democratic | Won General | ||
Republican | Lost General | ||
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
Democratic | Withdrew Primary |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Democratic | Lost General | |
Independent | Lost (Write-in) General | ||
Libertarian | Lost Convention | ||
Libertarian | Lost General | ||
Democratic | Disqualified Primary | ||
 | Democratic | Withdrew Primary | |
Republican | Won General | ||
 | Republican | Lost Convention | |
Democratic | Lost Convention | ||
 | Democratic | Lost General | |
| Democratic | Lost Convention | |
 | Democratic | Lost Convention | |
Libertarian | Lost Convention | ||
Libertarian | Lost General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Democratic | Lost General | |
Democratic | Lost Convention | ||
Democratic | Withdrew Convention |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
 | Democratic | Lost General | |
Green | Lost General | ||
 | Independent | Lost (Write-in) General | |
Libertarian | Lost General | ||
 | Democratic | Withdrew Primary | |
 | Independent | Withdrew General | |
Republican | Won General | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Democratic | Lost General | ||
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
Green | Lost General | ||
Libertarian | Lost General | ||
Republican | Withdrew Primary | ||
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary | |
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Democratic | Lost General | ||
Libertarian | Lost General | ||
| Democratic | Withdrew Primary |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
Democratic | Lost General | ||
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
 | Green | Lost General | |
Libertarian | Lost General | ||
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Democratic | Lost General | ||
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
Libertarian | Lost General | ||
Democratic | Withdrew Primary | ||
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
 | Democratic | Lost General | |
Libertarian | Lost General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 Christi Jacobsen Incumbent | Republican | Won General | |
 | Democratic | Lost General | |
 | Libertarian | Lost General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Democratic | Lost General | |
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
Libertarian | Lost General | ||
 | Constitution Party | Withdrew General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Won General | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Lost General | |
 | Constitution Party | Lost General | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
Green | Lost General | ||
 | Libertarian | Lost Primary | |
Libertarian | Lost General | ||
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary | |
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary | |
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary | |
Independent | Withdrew (Write-in) General | ||
Independent | Withdrew (Write-in) General | ||
Democratic | Won General | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary Runoff | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Lost General | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Constitution Party | Lost General | |
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
| Libertarian | Lost General | |
 | Democratic | Withdrew Primary | |
Independent | Withdrew (Write-in) General | ||
 | Libertarian | Withdrew General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Won General | ||
 | Republican | Lost General | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary | |
Democratic | Withdrew Primary |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 Elaine Marshall Incumbent | Democratic | Won General | |
Republican | Lost General | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost General | |
 | Independent | Lost General | |
Independent | Lost (Write-in) General | ||
Democratic | Withdrew Primary | ||
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost General | |
 | Independent | Lost General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Democratic, Working Families Party | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Lost General | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Withdrew Primary |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Democratic, Working Families Party, Independent Party | Won General | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
Progressive Party, Pacific Green Party | Lost General | ||
Republican, Constitution Party | Lost General | ||
No Party Affiliation | Withdrew General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Constitution Party | Lost General | |
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
 | Democratic | Lost General | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
Forward Party | Lost General | ||
Green | Lost General | ||
 | Libertarian | Lost General | |
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | New Progressive Party | Won General | |
 | Citizen's Victory Movement | Lost General | |
 | New Progressive Party | Lost Primary | |
 | Popular Democratic Party | Lost General | |
Popular Democratic Party | Lost Primary | ||
 | Project Dignity | Lost General | |
 | Puerto Rican Independence Party | Lost General | |
 | Independent | Withdrew General | |
 | Independent | Withdrew General | |
 | Independent | Withdrew General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Round 2 | |
 | Democratic | Lost General | |
Independent American Party | Lost General | ||
Libertarian | Lost General | ||
 | Unaffiliated | Lost (Write-in) General | |
Unaffiliated | Lost (Write-in) General | ||
 | Unaffiliated | Lost General | |
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary | |
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary | |
Unaffiliated | Withdrew (Write-in) General | ||
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Democratic | Lost General | |
 | Independent American Party | Lost General | |
 | Libertarian | Lost General | |
 | Unaffiliated | Lost (Write-in) General | |
| Unaffiliated | Lost (Write-in) General | |
 | Unaffiliated | Lost General | |
Republican | Disqualified Primary | ||
Unaffiliated | Withdrew (Write-in) General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Round 1 | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Democratic | Lost General | ||
 | Democratic | Lost Convention | |
 | Libertarian | Lost General | |
Unaffiliated | Lost General | ||
United Utah Party | Lost General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
Democratic, Vermont Progressive Party | Lost General | ||
Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party | Lost General | ||
 | Independent | Lost General | |
 | Independent | Lost General | |
Vermont Progressive Party | Withdrew General | ||
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
 | Democratic, Vermont Progressive Party | Lost General | |
Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party of Vermont | Lost General | ||
 | Vermont Progressive Party | Withdrew General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Democratic | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost General | |
Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party of Vermont | Lost General | ||
 | Republican | Withdrew General | |
 | Vermont Progressive Party | Withdrew General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Democratic | Won General | |
| Republican | Lost General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Democratic | Won General | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Republican | Lost General | ||
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
Constitution Party | Lost (Write-in) Primary | ||
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
Green | Lost Primary | ||
Independence Party | Lost Primary | ||
Independent | Lost Primary | ||
Independent | Lost Primary | ||
Independent | Lost Primary | ||
Libertarian | Lost Primary | ||
No party preference | Lost Primary | ||
No party preference | Lost Primary | ||
No party preference | Lost Primary | ||
No party preference | Lost (Write-in) Primary | ||
Nonsense Busters Party | Lost Primary | ||
 | Standup-America Party | Lost Primary | |
Trump Republican Party | Lost Primary | ||
Republican | Withdrew Primary | ||
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary | |
Republican | Withdrew Primary | ||
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary | |
Republican | Withdrew Primary | ||
Republican | Withdrew Primary | ||
Constitution Party | Withdrew Primary | ||
Democratic | Withdrew Primary | ||
Democratic | Withdrew Primary | ||
 | Democratic | Withdrew Primary | |
Democratic | Withdrew Primary | ||
No party preference | Withdrew Primary | ||
 | Democratic | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost General | ||
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
 | Liberal Republican Party | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Democratic | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost General | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Democratic | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost General | |
 | Democratic | Lost Primary | |
No Labels Party | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Republican | Lost Primary | ||
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Constitution Party | Lost General | |
Democratic | Lost General | ||
 | Independent | Lost (Write-in) General | |
Independent | Lost (Write-in) General | ||
Independent | Lost (Write-in) General | ||
Libertarian | Lost General | ||
Mountain Party | Lost General | ||
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary | |
Republican | Withdrew Primary |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Democratic | Lost Primary | ||
 | Democratic | Lost General | |
 | Republican | Withdrew Primary |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
| candidate | party | office | status |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Republican | Won General | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
 | Republican | Lost Primary | |
Democratic | Lost General |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
Total executive officials by party
Of the 167 state executive positions up for election in 2024, 86 were held by Republicans heading into the election, 50 were held by Democrats, and 31 were held by officeholders unafilliated with either party.
The chart below shows a breakdown of partisan control by office type.
Trifectas
- See also: State government trifectas
State government trifecta is a term to describe single-party government, when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.
As of May 10, 2025, there are 23 Republican trifectas, 15 Democratic trifectas, and 12 divided governments where neither party holds trifecta control.
Triplexes
- See also: State government triplexes
A state government triplex is a term used to describe when a state's governor, attorney general, and secretary of state are all members of the same party.
As of May 10, 2025, there are 25 Republican triplexes, 20 Democratic triplexes, and 5 divided governments where neither party holds triplex control.
Important dates and deadlines
The following table details 2024 statewide filing deadlines and primary dates. The signature filing deadline was the date by which candidates had to file nominating signatures with election officials in order to have their name placed on the ballot.
| State | Primary date | Primary runoff date | Filing deadline for primary candidates | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3/5/2024 | 4/16/2024 | 11/10/2023 | Source |
| Alaska | 8/20/2024 | N/A | 6/1/2024 | Source |
| Arizona | 7/30/2024 | N/A | 4/1/2024 | Source |
| Arkansas | 3/5/2024 | 4/2/2024 | 11/14/2023 | Source |
| California | 3/5/2024 | N/A | 12/8/2023 | Source |
| Colorado | 6/25/2024 | N/A | 3/19/2024 | Source |
| Connecticut | 8/13/2024 | N/A | 6/11/2024 | Source |
| Delaware | 9/10/2024 | N/A | 7/9/2024 | Source |
| Florida | 8/20/2024 | N/A | 4/26/2024[6] | Source |
| Georgia | 5/21/2024 | 6/18/2024 | 3/8/2024 | Source |
| Hawaii | 8/10/2024 | N/A | 6/4/2024 | Source |
| Idaho | 5/21/2024 | N/A | 3/15/2024 | Source |
| Illinois | 3/19/2024 | N/A | 12/4/2023 | Source |
| Indiana | 5/7/2024 | N/A | 2/9/2024 | Source |
| Iowa | 6/4/2024 | N/A | 3/15/2024[7] | Source |
| Kansas | 8/6/2024 | N/A | 6/3/2024 | Source |
| Kentucky | 5/21/2024 | N/A | 1/5/2024 | Source |
| Louisiana | 11/5/2024 | N/A | 7/19/2024 | Source |
| Maine | 6/11/2024 | N/A | 3/15/2024 | Source |
| Maryland | 5/14/2024 | N/A | 2/9/2024 | Source |
| Massachusetts | 9/3/2024 | N/A | 6/4/2024 | Source |
| Michigan | 8/6/2024 | N/A | 4/23/2024 | Source |
| Minnesota | 8/13/2024 | N/A | 6/4/2024 | Source |
| Mississippi | 3/12/2024 | 4/2/2024 | 1/12/2024 | Source |
| Missouri | 8/6/2024 | N/A | 3/26/2024 | Source |
| Montana | 6/4/2024 | N/A | 3/11/2024 | Source |
| Nebraska | 5/14/2024 | N/A | 3/1/2024[8] | Source |
| Nevada | 6/11/2024 | N/A | 3/15/2024[9] | Source |
| New Hampshire | 9/10/2024 | N/A | 6/14/2024 | Source |
| New Jersey | 6/4/2024 | N/A | 3/25/2024 | Source |
| New Mexico | 6/4/2024 | N/A | 2/6/2024[10] | Source |
| New York | 6/25/2024 | N/A | 4/4/2024 | Source |
| North Carolina | 3/5/2024 | 5/14/2024 | 12/15/2023 | Source |
| North Dakota | 6/11/2024 | N/A | 4/8/2024 | Source |
| Ohio | 3/19/2024 | N/A | 12/20/2023 | Source |
| Oklahoma | 6/18/2024 | 8/27/2024 | 4/5/2024 | Source |
| Oregon | 5/21/2024 | N/A | 3/12/2024 | Source |
| Pennsylvania | 4/23/2024 | N/A | 2/13/2024 | Source |
| Rhode Island | 9/10/2024 | N/A | 6/26/2024 | Source |
| South Carolina | 6/11/2024 | 6/25/2024 | 4/1/2024 | Source |
| South Dakota | 6/4/2024 | 7/30/2024 | 3/26/2024 | Source |
| Tennessee | 8/1/2024 | N/A | 4/4/2024 | Source |
| Texas | 3/5/2024 | 5/28/2024 | 12/11/2023 | Source |
| Utah | 6/25/2024 | N/A | 1/8/2024 | Source |
| Vermont | 8/13/2024 | N/A | 5/30/2024 | Source |
| Virginia[11] | 6/18/2024 | N/A | 4/4/2024 | Source |
| Washington | 8/6/2024 | N/A | 5/10/2024 | Source |
| West Virginia | 5/14/2024 | N/A | 1/27/2024 | Source |
| Wisconsin | 8/13/2024 | N/A | 6/3/2024 | Source |
| Wyoming | 8/20/2024 | N/A | 5/31/2024 | Source |
Historical election data
Ballotpedia covers America's 748 state executive seats across all 50 states. The following sections look at incumbency and partisanship in state executive elections from 2011 to 2023.
Incumbency
From 2011 to 2023, 64.3% of incumbents sought re-election. Of the incumbents who sought re-election during that period, 86.5% were successful. The first chart below shows the number of incumbents who sought election each year compared to the number of seats up for election. The second chart shows the number of incumbents who were re-elected compared to the number of incumbents who ran for re-election.
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The table below is organized by year and includes the total number of offices up for election, the number and percentage of incumbents who sought re-election, and the number and percentage of incumbents who won another term.
| State executive incumbents who sought re-election, 2011-2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Total seats | Incumbents who sought re-election |
% incumbents who sought re-election |
Incumbents who were re-elected |
% incumbents who were re-elected |
Partisanship
The table below details how many state executive seats changed parties from 2011 to 2023. The largest single-year gain by a party was in 2018, when Democrats gained 41 net seats. That year also had the highest number of seats up for election, with 303. The lowest net change was in 2011, when no parties gained or lost any seats. Twenty-six seats were on the ballot that year. The table is organized by year and shows the number of seats held by each party before the election and after the election and the net change each party saw.
| State executive partisanship, 2011-2023 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Total seats | Before election | After election | Net change | ||||||
 Democrats |
 Republicans |
 Other |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Other |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Other | ||
Partisan control of governorships
The chart below looks at the number of governorships held by the Democratic and Republican parties between 1977 and 2023. The biggest difference between the number of seats held by Democrats compared to those held by Republicans was in 1977 and 1978, when Democrats held 37 seats and Republicans held 12. The lowest difference between the number of seats held by Democrats compared to those held by Republicans was in 1987, 2003, and 2019. In 1987, Democrats held 26 governorships and Republicans held 24; in both 2003 and 2019, Democrats held 24 governorships and Republicans held 26. Republicans gained one governorship in both the 2020 and 2021 elections. Democrats gained two net governorships in 2022. Republicans gained one net governorship in 2023.
See also
Election coverage by office
U.S. Senate
U.S. House
Governors
Secretary of state
Attorney general
Other state executives
State legislatures
State ballot measures
Local ballot measures
State judges
Local judges
Municipal government
School boards
Recalls
Footnotes
- ↑ Ballotpedia describes the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state as top-ballot state executive offices. Down-ballot state executive offices that exist in all 50 states include superintendent of schools, insurance commissioner, agriculture commissioner, labor commissioner, and public service commissioner. Examples of other down-ballot state executive offices include treasurer, auditor, and comptroller.
- ↑ There are 13 state executive offices as Ballotpedia defines the term, however there are other executive offices in some states that are not covered by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia describes the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state as top-ballot state executive offices. Down-ballot state executive offices that exist in all 50 states include superintendent of schools, insurance commissioner, agriculture commissioner, labor commissioner, and public service commissioner. Examples of other down-ballot state executive offices include treasurer, auditor, and comptroller.
- ↑ In states where the attorney general or secretary of state are appointed by the governor, Ballotpedia considers the office to be held by the governor's party for the purposes of defining triplexes until the governor appoints a specific person to those offices. This is because it is very uncommon for an attorney general or secretary of state appointed by a governor to often be in direct conflict with that governor. If a state does not have all three triplex offices, Ballotpedia considers that state a triplex if one party controls both triplex offices in that state.
- ↑ There are 13 state executive offices as Ballotpedia defines the term, however there are other executive offices in some states that are not covered by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ This deadline was for the following offices: U.S. Congress, state attorney, public defender, state supreme court, district appeals court, circuit court. The filing deadline for state senator, state representative, county office, and special districts was 6/14/2024.
- ↑ This deadline was for U.S. Congress and state offices. The filing deadline for county offices was 3/22/2024.
- ↑ This filing deadline is for non-incumbents. Incumbents must file by 2/15/2024.
- ↑ This filing deadline is for non-judicial candidates. The filing deadline for judicial candidates was 1/12/2024.
- ↑ This deadline was for candidates seeking pre-primary designation. The filing deadline for all other candidates was 3/12/2024.
- ↑ In Virginia, the Democratic and Republican parties form committees to decide on the method of nomination used for congressional races. These non-primary methods of nomination may take place on a date other than the statewide primary.
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