2018 United States gubernatorial elections

2018 United States gubernatorial elections
← 2017 November 6, 2018 2019 →
39 governorships
36 states; 3 territories
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Seats before 33 16
Seats after 27 23
Seat change Decrease 6 Increase 7
Popular vote 43,452,881[1] 46,253,757
Percentage 48.28% 51.39%
Seats up 27 9
Seats won 20 16
  Third party
 
Party Independent
Seats before 1
Seats after 0
Seat change Decrease 1
Popular vote 299,612
Percentage 0.33%
Seats up 1
Seats won 0
2018 Alabama gubernatorial election2018 Alaska gubernatorial election2018 Arizona gubernatorial election2018 Arkansas gubernatorial election2018 California gubernatorial election2018 Colorado gubernatorial election2018 Connecticut gubernatorial election2018 Florida gubernatorial election2018 Georgia gubernatorial election2018 Hawaii gubernatorial election2018 Idaho gubernatorial election2018 Illinois gubernatorial election2018 Iowa gubernatorial election2018 Kansas gubernatorial election2018 Maine gubernatorial election2018 Maryland gubernatorial election2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial election2018 Michigan gubernatorial election2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election2018 Nebraska gubernatorial election2018 Nevada gubernatorial election2018 New Hampshire gubernatorial election2018 New Mexico gubernatorial election2018 New York gubernatorial election2018 Ohio gubernatorial election2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial election2018 Oregon gubernatorial election2018 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election2018 Rhode Island gubernatorial election2018 South Carolina gubernatorial election2018 South Dakota gubernatorial election2018 Tennessee gubernatorial election2018 Texas gubernatorial election2018 Vermont gubernatorial election2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial election2018 Wyoming gubernatorial election2018 Guam gubernatorial election2018 Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election2018 United States Virgin Islands gubernatorial election
Map of the results
     Democratic hold      Democratic gain
     Republican hold      Republican gain
     No election

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 6, 2018, in 36 states and three territories. These elections formed part of the 2018 United States elections. Other coinciding elections were the 2018 United States Senate elections and the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections.

Many of the states holding gubernatorial elections have term limits which made some multi-term governors ineligible for re-election. Two Democratic governors were term-limited while six incumbent Democratic governors were eligible for re-election. Among Republican governors, twelve were term-limited while eleven could seek re-election. One independent governor was eligible for re-election.

Elections were held in 26 of the 33 states with Republican governors, nine of the 16 states with Democratic governors, one state (Alaska) with an independent governor, two territories (Guam and Northern Mariana Islands) with Republican governors, one territory (U.S. Virgin Islands) with an independent governor, and the District of Columbia with a Democratic mayor. Incumbent state governors running to be reelected included 14 Republicans, five Democrats, and one independent. Territorial incumbents running included one Republican and one independent. The incumbent Democratic mayor of Washington, D.C. also ran for re-election.

Democrats gained control of nine state and territorial governorships that had previously been held by Republicans and an independent. They picked up Republican-held open seats in the states of Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, and New Mexico, in addition to defeating Republican incumbents in Illinois and Wisconsin and not losing any seats of their own. Additionally, they won the Republican-controlled territory of Guam and the independent-controlled territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Republicans won the governorship of Alaska previously held by an independent.[2] Democrats also won the total popular vote for the year's gubernatorial elections for the second year in a row.

As of 2024, this is the last time that Republicans won governorships in Arizona, Maryland, and Massachusetts, and the last time that Democrats won the gubernatorial office in Nevada.

Six women won election for the first time as Governor in 2018.

Election predictions

[edit]

Several sites and individuals publish predictions of competitive seats. These predictions look at factors such as the strength of the incumbent (if the incumbent is running for re-election), the strength of the candidates, and the partisan leanings of the state (reflected in part by the state's Cook Partisan Voting Index rating). The predictions assign ratings to each seat, with the rating indicating the predicted advantage that a party has in winning that seat. Most election predictors use "tossup" to indicate that neither party has an advantage, "lean" to indicate that one party has a slight advantage, "likely" or "favored" to indicate that one party has a significant but not insurmountable advantage and "safe" or "solid" to indicate that one party has a near-certain chance of victory. Some predictions also include a "tilt" rating that indicates that one party has an advantage that is not quite as strong as the "lean" rating would indicate (except Fox News, where "likely" is the highest rating given). Governors whose names are in parentheses are not contesting the election.

State PVI Incumbent[3] Last race Cook
October 26, 2018[4] 		IE
November 1, 2018[5] 		Sabato
November 5, 2018[6] 		RCP
November 4, 2018[7] 		Daily Kos
November 5, 2018[8] 		Fox News
October 10, 2018[9][a] 		Politico
November 5, 2018[10] 		538[b]
November 5, 2018[11] 		Winner
Alabama R+14 Kay Ivey (R) 63.6% R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Likely R ^ Safe R Safe R Ivey (R)
Alaska R+9 Bill Walker (I) 48.1% I Lean R (flip) Tilt R (flip) Lean R (flip) Tossup Lean R (flip) Tossup Lean R (flip) Lean R (flip) Dunleavy (R)
Arizona R+5 Doug Ducey (R) 53.4% R Likely R Likely R Likely R Likely R Safe R Likely R ^ Likely R Safe R Ducey (R)
Arkansas R+15 Asa Hutchinson (R) 55.4% R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Likely R ^ Safe R Safe R Hutchinson (R)
California D+12 Jerry Brown (D) (term-limited) 60.0% D Safe D Safe D Safe D Likely D Safe D Likely D ^ Safe D Safe D Newsom (D)
Colorado D+1 John Hickenlooper (D)
(term-limited) 		48.4% D Lean D Lean D Lean D Lean D Lean D Lean D Lean D Likely D Polis (D)
Connecticut D+6 Dan Malloy (D) (retiring) 50.9% D Tossup Lean D Lean D Tossup Lean D Lean D Lean D Likely D Lamont (D)
Florida R+2 Rick Scott (R)
(term-limited) 		48.2% R Tossup Tilt D (flip) Lean D (flip) Tossup Tossup Tossup Tossup Lean D (flip) DeSantis (R)
Georgia R+5 Nathan Deal (R) (term-limited) 52.8% R Tossup Tilt R Tossup Tossup Tossup Tossup Tossup Lean R Kemp (R)
Hawaii D+18 David Ige (D) 49.0% D Safe D Safe D Safe D Safe D Safe D Likely D ^ Safe D Safe D Ige (D)
Idaho R+19 Butch Otter (R) (retiring) 53.5% R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Likely R ^ Safe R Safe R Little (R)
Illinois D+7 Bruce Rauner (R) 50.3% R Likely D (flip) Likely D (flip) Likely D (flip) Likely D (flip) Likely D (flip) Likely D (flip) Likely D (flip) Likely D (flip) Pritzker (D)
Iowa R+3 Kim Reynolds (R) 59.0% R Tossup Tilt D (flip) Lean D (flip) Tossup Tossup Tossup Tossup Tossup Reynolds (R)
Kansas R+13 Jeff Colyer (R)
(lost nomination) 		49.8% R Tossup Tossup Lean D (flip) Tossup Tossup Tossup Tossup Tossup Kelly (D)
Maine D+3 Paul LePage (R) (term-limited) 48.2% R Tossup Tilt D (flip) Lean D (flip) Lean D (flip) Tossup Tossup Tossup Likely D (flip) Mills (D)
Maryland D+12 Larry Hogan (R) 51.0% R Likely R Likely R Likely R Likely R Likely R Likely R ^ Likely R Safe R Hogan (R)
Massachusetts D+12 Charlie Baker (R) 48.5% R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Likely R ^ Safe R Safe R Baker (R)
Michigan D+1 Rick Snyder (R) (term-limited) 50.9% R Lean D (flip) Lean D (flip) Likely D (flip) Lean D (flip) Likely D (flip) Lean D (flip) Likely D (flip) Likely D (flip) Whitmer (D)
Minnesota D+1 Mark Dayton (D) (retiring) 50.1% D Likely D Likely D Lean D Lean D Likely D Lean D Likely D Likely D Walz (D)
Nebraska R+14 Pete Ricketts (R) 57.2% R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Likely R ^ Safe R Safe R Ricketts (R)
Nevada D+1 Brian Sandoval (R) (term-limited) 70.6% R Tossup Tilt D (flip) Lean D (flip) Tossup Tossup Tossup Tossup Tossup Sisolak (D)
New Hampshire EVEN Chris Sununu (R) 48.8% R Lean R Lean R Lean R Tossup Likely R Lean R Lean R Likely R Sununu (R)
New Mexico D+3 Susana Martinez (R) (term-limited) 57.3% R Lean D (flip) Lean D (flip) Lean D (flip) Lean D (flip) Lean D (flip) Lean D (flip) Likely D (flip) Likely D (flip) Grisham (D)
New York D+12 Andrew Cuomo (D) 54.2% D Safe D Safe D Safe D Safe D Safe D Likely D ^ Safe D Safe D Cuomo (D)
Ohio R+3 John Kasich (R) (term-limited) 63.8% R Tossup Tossup Lean D (flip) Tossup Tossup Tossup Tossup Tossup DeWine (R)
Oklahoma R+20 Mary Fallin (R) (term-limited) 55.8% R Tossup Lean R Lean R Lean R Lean R Likely R ^ Lean R Likely R Stitt (R)
Oregon D+5 Kate Brown (D) 50.9% D Tossup Tilt D Lean D Tossup Lean D Lean D Lean D Likely D Brown (D)
Pennsylvania EVEN Tom Wolf (D) 54.9% D Likely D Likely D Safe D Safe D Safe D Likely D ^ Likely D Safe D Wolf (D)
Rhode Island D+10 Gina Raimondo (D) 40.7% D Lean D Lean D Likely D Likely D Lean D Likely D ^ Lean D Safe D Raimondo (D)
South Carolina R+8 Henry McMaster (R) 55.9% R Likely R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Likely R ^ Likely R Safe R McMaster (R)
South Dakota R+14 Dennis Daugaard (R)
(term-limited) 		70.5% R Tossup Tilt R Lean R Tossup Lean R Likely R ^ Tossup Lean R Noem (R)
Tennessee R+14 Bill Haslam (R)
(term-limited) 		70.3% R Likely R Safe R Safe R Likely R Safe R Likely R ^ Likely R Safe R Lee (R)
Texas R+8 Greg Abbott (R) 59.3% R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Likely R ^ Safe R Safe R Abbott (R)
Vermont D+15 Phil Scott (R) 52.9% R Safe R Safe R Safe R Likely R Likely R Likely R ^ Lean R Likely R Scott (R)
Wisconsin EVEN Scott Walker (R) 52.3% R Tossup Tossup Lean D (flip) Tossup Tossup Lean D (flip) Tossup Tossup Evers (D)
Wyoming R+25 Matt Mead (R)
(term-limited) 		58.3% R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Safe R Likely R ^ Safe R Safe R Gordon (R)

^ Highest rating given

Race summary

[edit]

States

[edit]
State Incumbent Party First
elected 		Result Candidates
Alabama Kay Ivey Republican 2017[c] Incumbent elected to full term.
Alaska Bill Walker Independent 2014 Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.
Arizona Doug Ducey Republican 2014 Incumbent re-elected.
Arkansas Asa Hutchinson Republican 2014 Incumbent re-elected.
California Jerry Brown Democratic 1974
1982 (retired)
2010 		Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic hold.
Colorado John Hickenlooper Democratic 2010 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic hold.
Connecticut Dannel Malloy Democratic 2010 Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Democratic hold.
Florida Rick Scott Republican 2010 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
Georgia Nathan Deal Republican 2010 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
Hawaii David Ige Democratic 2014 Incumbent re-elected.
Idaho Butch Otter Republican 2006 Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
Illinois Bruce Rauner Republican 2014 Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
Iowa Kim Reynolds Republican 2017[d] Incumbent elected to full term.
Kansas Jeff Colyer Republican 2018[e] Incumbent lost nomination to full term.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
Maine Paul LePage Republican 2010 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
Maryland Larry Hogan Republican 2014 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts Charlie Baker Republican 2014 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan Rick Snyder Republican 2010 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
Minnesota Mark Dayton DFL 2010 Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Democratic–Farmer–Labor hold.
Nebraska Pete Ricketts Republican 2014 Incumbent re-elected.
Nevada Brian Sandoval Republican 2010 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
New Hampshire Chris Sununu Republican 2016 Incumbent re-elected.
New Mexico Susana Martinez Republican 2010 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
New York Andrew Cuomo Democratic 2010 Incumbent re-elected.
Ohio John Kasich Republican 2010 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
Oklahoma Mary Fallin Republican 2010 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
Oregon Kate Brown Democratic 2015[f] Incumbent re-elected.
Pennsylvania Tom Wolf Democratic 2014 Incumbent re-elected.
Rhode Island Gina Raimondo Democratic 2014 Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina Henry McMaster Republican 2017[g] Incumbent elected to full term.
South Dakota Dennis Daugaard Republican 2010 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
Tennessee Bill Haslam Republican 2010 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
Texas Greg Abbott Republican 2014 Incumbent re-elected.
Vermont Phil Scott Republican 2016 Incumbent re-elected.
Wisconsin Scott Walker Republican 2010 Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
Wyoming Matt Mead Republican 2010 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.

Territories and federal district

[edit]
Territory Incumbent Party First
elected 		Result Candidates
District of Columbia Muriel Bowser Democratic 2014 Incumbent re-elected.[82]
  • ▌Green tickY Muriel Bowser (Democratic) 76.4%
  • ▌Ann Wilcox (Statehood Green) 9.3%
  • ▌Dustin Canter (Independent) 6.9%
  • ▌Martin Moulton (Libertarian) 3.4%
Guam Eddie Baza Calvo Republican 2010 Incumbent term-limited.[83]
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
Northern Mariana Islands Ralph Torres Republican 2015[h] Incumbent elected to full term.
U.S. Virgin Islands Kenneth Mapp Independent 2014 Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.

Closest races

[edit]

States where the margin of victory was under 1%:

  1. Florida, 0.4%

States where the margin of victory was under 5%:

  1. Wisconsin, 1.1%
  2. Georgia, 1.4%
  3. Iowa, 2.8%
  4. Connecticut, 3.2%
  5. South Dakota, 3.4%
  6. Ohio, 3.7%
  7. Nevada, 4.1%

States where the margin of victory was under 10%:

  1. Kansas, 5.0%
  2. Oregon, 6.4%
  3. Alaska, 7.0%
  4. New Hampshire, 7.0%
  5. Maine, 7.7%
  6. South Carolina, 8.1%
  7. U.S. Virgin Islands, 9.3%
  8. Michigan, 9.5%

Red denotes states won by Republicans. Blue denotes states won by Democrats.

Alabama

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Alabama gubernatorial election
2018 Alabama gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee Kay Ivey Walt Maddox
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,022,457 694,495
Percentage 59.5% 40.4%
County results
Ivey:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Maddox:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Governor before election

Kay Ivey
Republican

Elected Governor

Kay Ivey
Republican

Incumbent Kay Ivey took office upon Robert Bentley's resignation in April 2017.[89]

Ivey won election to a full term.

Alabama Republican primary[90]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kay Ivey (incumbent) 330,743 56.10
Republican Tommy Battle 146,887 24.92
Republican Scott Dawson 79,302 13.45
Republican Bill Hightower 29,275 4.97
Republican Michael McAllister 3,326 0.56
Total votes 589,533 100.00
Alabama Democratic primary[91]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Walt Maddox 154,559 54.60
Democratic Sue Bell Cobb 82,043 28.98
Democratic James Fields 22,635 8.00
Democratic Anthony White 9,677 3.42
Democratic Doug Smith 9,244 3.27
Democratic Christopher Countryman 4,923 1.74
Total votes 283,081 100.00
Alabama general election[92]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kay Ivey (incumbent) 1,022,457 59.46% –4.10
Democratic Walt Maddox 694,495 40.39% +4.15
Write-in 2,637 0.15% –0.05
Total votes 1,719,589 100.00%
Republican hold

Alaska

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Alaska gubernatorial election
2018 Alaska gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee Mike Dunleavy Mark Begich
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Kevin Meyer Debra Call
Popular vote 145,631 125,739
Percentage 51.4% 44.4%
State house district results
Dunleavy:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Begich:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

Bill Walker
Independent

Elected Governor

Mike Dunleavy
Republican

One-term incumbent Bill Walker ran for re-election as an independent but dropped out of the race on October 19 to endorse Mark Begich (several days after Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott resigned and several weeks before election day).

Former Alaska Senate member Mike Dunleavy won the Republican nomination.

Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich ran uncontested for the Democratic nomination.[93]

Billy Tolein ran for governor on the Libertarian party ticket.

Dunleavy won the election.

Alaska Democratic-Libertarian-Independence primary[94]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mark Begich 33,451 85.24
Libertarian William Toien 5,790 14.75
Total votes 39,241 100.00
Alaska Republican primary[94]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Dunleavy 43,802 61.52
Republican Mead Treadwell 22,780 32.00
Republican Michael Sheldon 1,640 2.30
Republican Merica Hlatu 1,064 1.49
Republican Thomas Gordon 884 1.24
Republican Gerald Heikes 499 0.70
Republican Darin Colbry 416 0.58
Total votes 71,195 100.00
Alaska general election[95]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Dunleavy 145,631 51.44% +5.56
Democratic Mark Begich 125,739 44.41% N/A
Independent Bill Walker (incumbent, withdrawn) 5,757 2.03% –46.07
Libertarian William Toien 5,402 1.91% –1.30
Write-in 605 0.21% –0.11
Total votes 283,134 100.00%
Republican gain from Independent

Arizona

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Arizona gubernatorial election
2018 Arizona gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee Doug Ducey David Garcia
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,330,863 994,341
Percentage 56.0% 41.8%
County results
Ducey:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Garcia:      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

Doug Ducey
Republican

Elected Governor

Doug Ducey
Republican

One-term incumbent Doug Ducey sought re-election.

Professor David Garcia won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.[96]

Libertarian candidate for president in 2016 Kevin McCormick declared his candidacy.[97]

Ducey won re-election.

Arizona Republican primary[98]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Doug Ducey (incumbent) 463,672 70.73
Republican Ken Bennett 191,775 29.25
Write-in 91 0.01
Total votes 655,538 100.00
Arizona Democratic primary[98]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Garcia 255,555 50.56
Democratic Steve Farley 163,072 32.26
Democratic Kelly Fryer 86,810 17.17
Write-in 44 0.01
Total votes 505,481 100.00
Arizona general election[99]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Doug Ducey (incumbent) 1,330,863 56.00% +2.56
Democratic David Garcia 994,341 41.84% +0.22
Green Angel Torres 50,962 2.14% N/A
Write-in 275 0.01% –0.10
Total votes 2,376,441 100.00%
Republican hold

Arkansas

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Arkansas gubernatorial election
2018 Arkansas gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 (2018-11-06) 2022 →
 
Nominee Asa Hutchinson Jared Henderson
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 582,406 283,218
Percentage 65.3% 31.8%
County results
Hutchinson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Henderson:      40-50%      50–60%
Governor before election

Asa Hutchinson
Republican

Elected Governor

Asa Hutchinson
Republican

One-term incumbent Asa Hutchinson ran for re-election.

Jared Henderson, a former state executive director for Teach For America, won the Democratic nomination.[19]

Libertarian Mark West sought his party's nomination.[100][101]

Hutchinson won re-election.

Arkansas Republican primary[citation needed]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Asa Hutchinson (incumbent) 145,251 69.75
Republican Jan Morgan 63,009 30.25
Total votes 208,260 100.00
Arkansas Democratic primary[citation needed]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jared Henderson 68,340 63.44
Democratic Leticia Sanders 39,382 36.56
Total votes 107,722 100.00
Arkansas general election[citation needed]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Asa Hutchinson (incumbent) 582,406 65.33% +9.89
Democratic Jared Henderson 283,218 31.77% –9.72
Libertarian Mark West 25,885 2.90% +0.98
Total votes 891,509 100.00%
Republican hold

California

[edit]
Main article: 2018 California gubernatorial election
See also: 2018 California lieutenant gubernatorial election
2018 California gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2021 (recall) →
 
Nominee Gavin Newsom John Cox
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 7,721,410 4,742,825
Percentage 61.9% 38.1%
County results

Newsom:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Cox:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election

Jerry Brown
Democratic

Elected Governor

Gavin Newsom
Democratic

Two-term consecutive, four-term non-consecutive Governor Jerry Brown was term-limited, as California governors are limited to lifetime service of two terms in office. Brown previously served as governor from 1975 to 1983; California law affects only terms served after 1990.[102]

The Democratic nominee was Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom.[21][103]

The Republican nominee was businessman John H. Cox.[23]

Libertarian candidates included transhumanist activist Zoltan Istvan.[104]

Newsom won the election in a landslide, breaking the record for the largest number of votes received in a gubernatorial election.

California blanket primary[105]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gavin Newsom 2,343,792 34.15
Republican John H. Cox 1,766,488 25.74
Democratic Antonio Villaraigosa 926,394 13.50
Republican Travis Allen 658,798 9.60
Democratic John Chiang 655,920 9.56
Democratic Delaine Eastin 234,869 3.42
Democratic Amanda Renteria 93,446 1.36
Republican Robert C. Newman II 44,674 0.65
Democratic Michael Shellenberger 31,692 0.46
Republican Peter Y. Liu 27,336 0.40
Republican Yvonne Girard 21,840 0.32
Peace and Freedom Gloria La Riva 19,075 0.28
Democratic J. Bribiesca 18,586 0.27
Green Josh Jones 16,131 0.24
Libertarian Zoltan Istvan 14,462 0.21
Democratic Albert C. Mezzetti 12,026 0.18
Libertarian Nickolas Wildstar 11,566 0.17
Democratic Robert D. Griffis 11,103 0.16
Democratic Akinyemi Agbede 9,380 0.14
Democratic Thomas J. Cares 8,937 0.13
Green Christopher N. Carlson 7,302 0.11
Democratic Klement Tinaj 5,368 0.08
No party preference Hakan Mikado 5,346 0.08
No party preference Johnny Wattenburg 4,973 0.07
No party preference Desmond Silveira 4,633 0.07
No party preference Shubham Goel 4,020 0.06
No party preference Jeffrey E. Taylor 3,973 0.06
Write-in 124 0.00
Total votes 6,862,254 100.00
California general election[106]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gavin Newsom 7,721,410 61.95% +1.98
Republican John H. Cox 4,742,825 38.05% –1.98
Total votes 12,464,235 100.00%
Democratic hold

Colorado

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Colorado gubernatorial election
2018 Colorado gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee Jared Polis Walker Stapleton
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate Dianne Primavera Lang Sias
Popular vote 1,348,888 1,080,801
Percentage 53.4% 42.8%
County results
Polis:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Stapleton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Governor before election

John Hickenlooper
Democratic

Elected Governor

Jared Polis
Democratic

Two-term Governor John Hickenlooper was term-limited, as Colorado does not allow governors to serve three consecutive terms.[107]

The Democratic nominee was U.S. Representative Jared Polis.[24]

The Republican nominee was Colorado State Treasurer Walker Stapleton.

Polis won the election.

Colorado Democratic primary[108]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jared Polis 282,725 44.46
Democratic Cary Kennedy 157,098 24.71
Democratic Mike Johnston 149,717 23.55
Democratic Donna Lynne 46,316 7.28
Total votes 635,856 100.00
Colorado Republican primary[108]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Walker Stapleton 239,415 47.66
Republican Victor Mitchell 151,365 30.13
Republican Greg Lopez 66,330 13.20
Republican Doug Robinson 45,245 9.01
Total votes 502,355 100.00
Colorado general election[109]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jared Polis 1,348,888 53.42% +4.12
Republican Walker Stapleton 1,080,801 42.80% –3.15
Libertarian Scott Helker 69,519 2.75% +0.81
Unity Bill Hammons 25,854 1.02% N/A
Total votes 2,525,062 100.00%
Democratic hold

Connecticut

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Connecticut gubernatorial election
2018 Connecticut gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee Ned Lamont Bob Stefanowski
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate Susan Bysiewicz Joe Markley
Popular vote 694,510 650,138
Percentage 49.4% 46.2%
County results
Lamont:      40–50%      50–60%
Stefanowski:      40–50%      50–60%
Governor before election

Dannel Malloy
Democratic

Elected Governor

Ned Lamont
Democratic

Two-term Governor Dan Malloy was eligible to seek re-election, but declined to do so.[110][111][112]

The Democratic nominee was former selectman from Greenwich Ned Lamont.

Republicans endorsed Mark Boughton, mayor of Danbury, at the statewide nominating convention held on May 11 and 12, 2018, at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard. Candidates qualifying to primary at the convention were former First Selectman of Trumbull Tim Herbst and former candidate for Congress Steve Obsitnik. Failing to qualify at the convention to primary were Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti, former secretary of state candidate Peter Lumaj, state representative Prasad Srinivasan, former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker and Stamford Director of Administration, Mike Handler.

Businessman Bob Stefanowski became the second candidate in the history of Connecticut to petition to be on the primary ballot on June 18, 2018, and the first for a gubernatorial race.[113] Businessman David Stemerman became the third to do so on June 19, 2018.[114] Neither Stefanowski nor Stemerman participated in the statewide convention.[115] Both Lauretti and Handler pledged to conduct a petition drive to get on the August 14, 2018, primary election ballot, but dropped out.

Micah Welintukonis, former vice chair of the Coventry Town Council ran as an independent.[116]

Lamont won the election in a close race.

Connecticut Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ned Lamont 172,024 81.17
Democratic Joe Ganim 39,913 18.83
Total votes 211,937 100.00
Connecticut Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Stefanowski 42,119 29.41
Republican Mark Boughton 30,505 21.30
Republican David Stemerman 26,276 18.35
Republican Tim Herbst 25,144 17.56
Republican Steve Obsitnik 19,151 13.37
Total votes 143,195 100.00
Connecticut general election[117]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ned Lamont 694,510 49.37% –1.36
Republican Bob Stefanowski 650,138 46.21% –1.95
Independent Oz Griebel 54,741 3.89% N/A
Libertarian Rod Hanscomb 6,086 0.43% N/A
Constitution Mark Greenstein 1,254 0.09% N/A
Write-in 74 0.01% –0.05
Total votes 1,406,803 100.00%
Democratic hold

Florida

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Florida gubernatorial election
2018 Florida gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee Ron DeSantis Andrew Gillum
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Jeanette Núñez Chris King
Popular vote 4,076,186 4,043,723
Percentage 49.6% 49.2%
County results
DeSantis:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Gillum:      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

Rick Scott
Republican

Elected Governor

Ron DeSantis
Republican

Two-term Governor Rick Scott was term-limited, as Florida does not allow governors to serve three consecutive terms.

U.S. Representative Ron DeSantis won the Republican nomination.[118]

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum won the Democratic nomination.[119]

Randy Wiseman sought the Libertarian nomination.[120]

DeSantis narrowly won the election in a close race.

Florida Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ron DeSantis 913,679 56.47
Republican Adam Putnam 591,449 36.55
Republican Bob White 32,580 2.01
Republican Timothy M. Devine 21,320 1.32
Republican Bob Langford 19,771 1.22
Republican Bruce Nathan 14,487 0.90
Republican Don Baldauf 13,125 0.81
Republican John J. Mercadante 11,602 0.72
Total votes 1,618,013 100.00
Florida Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andrew Gillum 517,417 34.29
Democratic Gwen Graham 472,735 31.33
Democratic Philip Levine 306,450 20.31
Democratic Jeff Greene 151,935 10.07
Democratic Chris King 37,464 2.48
Democratic John Wetherbee 14,355 0.95
Democratic Alex Lundmark 8,628 0.57
Total votes 1,508,984 100.00
Florida general election[121]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ron DeSantis 4,076,186 49.59% +1.45
Democratic Andrew Gillum 4,043,723 49.19% +2.12
Reform Darcy Richardson 47,140 0.57% N/A
Independent Kyle Gibson 24,310 0.30% N/A
Independent Ryan C. Foley 14,630 0.18% N/A
Independent Bruce Stanley 14,505 0.18% N/A
Write-in 67 0.00% ±0.00
Total votes 8,220,561 100.00%
Republican hold

Georgia

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election
See also: 2018 Georgia lieutenant gubernatorial election
2018 Georgia gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee Brian Kemp Stacey Abrams
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,978,408 1,923,685
Percentage 50.2% 48.8%
County results
Kemp:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Abrams:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Governor before election

Nathan Deal
Republican

Elected Governor

Brian Kemp
Republican

Two-term Governor Nathan Deal was term-limited, as Georgia does not allow governors to serve three consecutive terms.

Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp won first and second place in the May 22 Republican primary; Cagle lost the runoff to Kemp on July 24, 2018.

State Representative Stacey Abrams garnered the Democratic nomination outright.[34]

Ted Metz, chair of the Libertarian Party of Georgia, ran unopposed in the Libertarian primary.[35]

Kemp won the election.

Georgia Republican primary[122][123]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Casey Cagle 236,987 38.95
Republican Brian Kemp 155,189 25.51
Republican Hunter Hill 111,464 18.32
Republican Clay Tippins 74,182 12.19
Republican Michael Williams 29,619 4.87
Republican Eddie Hayes 939 0.15
Total votes 608,380 100.00
Georgia Republican primary runoff[124]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brian Kemp 408,595 69.45
Republican Casey Cagle 179,712 30.55
Total votes 588,307 100.00
Georgia Democratic primary[125]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stacey Abrams 424,305 76.44
Democratic Stacey Evans 130,784 23.56
Total votes 555,089 100.00
Georgia general election[126]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Brian Kemp 1,978,408 50.22% –2.52
Democratic Stacey Abrams 1,923,685 48.83% +3.95
Libertarian Ted Metz 37,235 0.95% –1.41
Write-in 81 0.00% –0.02
Total votes 3,939,409 100.00%
Republican hold

Hawaii

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Hawaii gubernatorial election
2018 Hawaii gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee David Ige Andria Tupola
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate Josh Green Marissa Kerns
Popular vote 244,934 131,719
Percentage 62.7% 33.7%
County results
Ige:      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election

David Ige
Democratic

Elected Governor

David Ige
Democratic

One-term Governor David Ige ran for re-election. Ige took office after defeating previous Governor Neil Abercrombie in the Democratic primary and then winning the general election. Ige was nominated again, after defeating a primary challenge by Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa.

The Republican nominee was state house minority leader Andria Tupola.

Ige won re-election.

Hawaii Democratic primary[127]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Ige (incumbent) 124,572 51.37
Democratic Colleen Hanabusa 107,631 44.38
Democratic Ernest Caravalho 5,662 2.33
Democratic Wendell Ka'ehu'ae'a 2,298 0.95
Democratic Richard Kim 1,576 0.65
Democratic Van Tanabe 775 0.32
Total votes 242,514 100.00
Hawaii Republican primary[127]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Andria Tupola 17,297 55.52
Republican John Carroll 10,974 35.22
Republican Ray L'Heureux 2,885 9.26
Total votes 31,156 100.0
Hawaii general election[128]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic David Ige (incumbent) 244,934 62.67% +13.22
Republican Andria Tupola 131,719 33.70% –3.38
Green Jim Brewer 10,123 2.59% N/A
Nonpartisan Terrence Teruya 4,067 1.04% N/A
Total votes 390,843 100.00%
Democratic hold

Idaho

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Idaho gubernatorial election
2018 Idaho gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee Brad Little Paulette Jordan
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 361,661 231,081
Percentage 59.8% 38.2%
County Results
Little:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Jordan:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

Butch Otter
Republican

Elected Governor

Brad Little
Republican

Three-term Governor Butch Otter was eligible to seek re-election, but did not do so.[129]

Lieutenant Governor Brad Little won the Republican nomination.[130]

Paulette Jordan, a former state representative, was nominated in the Democratic primary.[131]

Little won the election.

Idaho Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brad Little 72,518 37.29
Republican Raúl Labrador 63,460 32.64
Republican Tommy Ahlquist 50,977 26.22
Republican Lisa Marie 3,390 1.74
Republican Steve Pankey 2,701 1.39
Republican Harley Brown 874 0.45
Republican Dalton Cannady 528 0.27
Total votes 194,448 100.00
Idaho Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paulette Jordan 38,483 58.44
Democratic A.J. Balukoff 26,403 40.09
Democratic Peter Dill 964 1.47
Total votes 65,850 100.00
Idaho general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Brad Little 361,661 59.76% +6.24
Democratic Paulette Jordan 231,081 38.19% –0.36
Libertarian Bev Boeck 6,551 1.08% –2.99
Constitution Walter L. Bayes 5,787 0.96% –0.23
Write-in 51 0.00% –0.02
Total votes 605,131 100.00%
Republican hold

Illinois

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Illinois gubernatorial election
2018 Illinois gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 (2018-11-06) 2022 →
 
Nominee J. B. Pritzker Bruce Rauner
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate Juliana Stratton Evelyn Sanguinetti
Popular vote 2,479,746 1,765,751
Percentage 54.5% 38.8%
County Results
Pritzker:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Rauner:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election

Bruce Rauner
Republican

Elected Governor

J. B. Pritzker
Democratic

One-term incumbent Republican Bruce Rauner ran for re-election.[132] State Representative Jeanne Ives also ran for the Republican nomination, but lost narrowly to Rauner.[133]

On the Democratic side, Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools Bob Daiber,[134] former chairman of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees and member of the Kennedy family Chris Kennedy,[135][136] State Representative Scott Drury,[137] State Senator Daniel Biss,[138] and venture capitalist J. B. Pritzker[42] all ran for the Democratic nomination. Pritzker, who is related to former United States Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, won the primary, and became one of the wealthiest governors in United States history upon election.

Libertarian candidate Kash Jackson was nominated at the state party convention on March 3.[139] He defeated Matt Scaro and Jon Stewart.[140]

Pritzker won the election in a landslide.

Illinois Republican primary[141]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bruce Rauner (incumbent) 372,124 51.53
Republican Jeanne Ives 350,038 48.47
Total votes 744,248 100.00
Illinois Democratic primary[141]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. B. Pritzker 597,756 45.13
Democratic Daniel Biss 353,625 26.70
Democratic Chris Kennedy 322,730 24.37
Democratic Tio Hardiman 21,075 1.59
Democratic Bob Daiber 15,009 1.13
Democratic Robert Marshall 14,353 1.08
Total votes 1,324,548 100.00
Illinois general election[142]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic J. B. Pritzker 2,479,746 54.53% +8.18
Republican Bruce Rauner (incumbent) 1,765,751 38.83% –11.44
Conservative Sam McCann 192,527 4.23% N/A
Libertarian Kash Jackson 109,518 2.40% –0.95
Write-in 115 0.01% –0.02
Total votes 4,547,657 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican

Iowa

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Iowa gubernatorial election
2018 Iowa gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee Kim Reynolds Fred Hubbell
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Adam Gregg Rita Hart
Popular vote 667,275 630,986
Percentage 50.3% 47.5%
County results

Reynolds:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70-80%

Hubbell:      40–50%      50–60%      70–80%
Governor before election

Kim Reynolds
Republican

Elected Governor

Kim Reynolds
Republican

Incumbent governor Kim Reynolds took office in 2017, upon the resignation of Terry Branstad, following his confirmation as ambassador to China.[143] Reynolds sought election to a full term in 2018.

Former gubernatorial aide John Norris, state Senator Nate Boulton, former state party chairwoman Andy McGuire, SEIU leader Cathy Glasson, attorney Jon Neiderbach, former Iowa City Mayor Ross Wilburn, and businessman Fred Hubbell sought the Democratic nomination, which Hubbell won.[144]

Jake Porter, who was the Libertarian nominee for secretary of state in 2010 and 2014, ran for the Libertarian nomination for governor.[48]

Reynolds won the election.

Iowa Republican primary[145]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kim Reynolds (incumbent) 94,118 98.63
Write-in 1,307 1.37
Total votes 95,425 100.00
Iowa Democratic primary[145]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Fred Hubbell 99,245 55.41
Democratic Cathy Glasson 36,815 20.55
Democratic John Norris 20,498 11.44
Democratic Andy McGuire 9,404 5.25
Democratic Nate Boulton 9,082 5.07
Democratic Ross Wilburn 3,880 2.17
Write-in 200 0.01
Total votes 179,124 100.00
Iowa general election[146]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kim Reynolds (incumbent) 667,275 50.26% –8.73
Democratic Fred Hubbell 630,986 47.53% +10.26
Libertarian Jake Porter 21,426 1.61% –0.19
Independent Gary Siegwarth 7,463 0.56% N/A
Write-in 488 0.04% –0.05
Total votes 1,327,638 100.00%
Republican hold

Kansas

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Kansas gubernatorial election
2018 Kansas gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee Laura Kelly Kris Kobach Greg Orman
Party Democratic Republican Independent
Running mate Lynn Rogers Wink Hartman John Doll
Popular vote 506,727 453,645 68,590
Percentage 48.0% 43.0% 6.5%
County Results
Kelly:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Kobach:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election

Jeff Colyer
Republican

Elected Governor

Laura Kelly
Democratic

Jeff Colyer succeeded Sam Brownback in January 2018 after he was confirmed as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.

Secretary of State Kris Kobach defeated Governor Colyer, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer, former state Senator Jim Barnett, and former state Representative Mark Hutton for the Republican nomination.[147]

The Democratic nominee was state Senator Laura Kelly.[147]

Businessman Greg Orman, who finished second in the 2014 U.S. Senate election in Kansas, ran as an Independent.[148]

Kelly won the election.

Kansas Republican primary[149]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kris Kobach 128,838 40.62
Republican Jeff Colyer (incumbent) 128,488 40.51
Republican Jim Barnett 27,993 8.83
Republican Ken Selzer 24,807 7.82
Republican Patrick Kucera 3,212 1.01
Republican Tyler Ruzich 2,276 0.72
Republican Joseph Tutera Jr. 1,559 0.49
Total votes 317,173 100.00
Kansas Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Laura Kelly 78,746 51.5
Democratic Carl Brewer 30,693 20.1
Democratic Josh Svaty 26,722 17.5
Democratic Arden Andersen 12,845 8.4
Democratic Jack Bergeson 3,850 2.5
Total votes 152,856 100.0
Kansas general election[150]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Laura Kelly 506,727 48.01% +1.88
Republican Kris Kobach 453,645 42.98% –6.84
Independent Greg Orman 68,590 6.50% N/A
Libertarian Jeff Caldwell 20,020 1.90% –2.15
Independent Rick Kloos 6,584 0.62% N/A
Total votes 1,055,566 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican

Maine

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Maine gubernatorial election
2018 Maine gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 (2018-11-06) 2022 →
 
Nominee Janet Mills Shawn Moody Terry Hayes
Party Democratic Republican Independent
Popular vote 320,962 272,311 37,268
Percentage 50.9% 43.2% 5.9%
County results
Mills:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%
Moody:      40–50%      50–60%
Governor before election

Paul LePage
Republican

Elected Governor

Janet Mills
Democratic

Two-term governor Paul LePage was term-limited, as Maine does not allow governors to serve three consecutive terms. LePage won re-election in a three-way race over Democrat Mike Michaud and independent Eliot Cutler, in 2014. The primary election was June 12, and conducted with ranked choice voting, a system recently implemented and being used for the first time in the 2018 elections in Maine. It was not used in the general election due to an advisory opinion by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court calling its use in general elections for state offices unconstitutional.

Businessman and 2010 independent candidate for governor Shawn Moody won the Republican nomination.

The Democratic nominee was Attorney General Janet Mills.

Two independent candidates qualified for the ballot; State Treasurer Terry Hayes and businessman and newspaper columnist Alan Caron.

Mills won the election.

Maine Republican primary results[151]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Shawn Moody 53,436 52.60
Republican Garrett Mason 21,571 21.23
Republican Mary Mayhew 14,034 13.82
Republican Blank ballots 7,203 7.09
Republican Ken Fredette 5,341 5.26
Total votes 101,585 100.00
Maine Democratic primary[151]
Party Candidate Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4
Votes % Transfer Votes % Transfer Votes % Transfer Votes %
Democratic Janet Mills 41,735 33.09 + 2,307 44,042 35.49 + 5,903 49,945 40.77 + 13,439 63,384 54.06
Democratic Adam Cote 35,478 28.13 + 2,065 37,543 30.25 + 5,080 42,623 34.79 + 11,243 53,866 45.94
Democratic Betsy Sweet 20,767 16.46 + 2,220 22,987 18.52 + 6,957 29,944 24.44 - 29,944 Eliminated
Democratic Mark Eves 17,887 14.18 + 1,634 19,521 15.73 - 19,521 Eliminated
Democratic Mark Dion 5,200 4.12 - 5,200 Eliminated
Democratic Diane Russell 2,728 2.16 - 2,728 Eliminated
Democratic Donna Dion 1,596 1.27 - 1,596 Eliminated
Write-ins 748 0.59 - 748 Eliminated
Total votes 132,250 100.00
Maine general election[152]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Janet Mills 320,962 50.89% +7.52
Republican Shawn Moody 272,311 43.18% –5.01
Independent Terry Hayes 37,268 5.91% N/A
Write-in 126 0.02% +0.01
Total votes 630,667 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican

Maryland

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Maryland gubernatorial election
2018 Maryland gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 (2018-11-06) 2022 →
 
Nominee Larry Hogan Ben Jealous
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Boyd Rutherford Susan Turnbull
Popular vote 1,275,644 1,002,639
Percentage 55.4% 43.5%
County results
Hogan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Jealous:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election

Larry Hogan
Republican

Elected Governor

Larry Hogan
Republican

One-term Republican incumbent Larry Hogan ran for re-election.

Former president of the NAACP Benjamin Jealous was the Democratic nominee.

Green Party candidate and entrepreneur Ian Schlakman sought his party's nomination.[153] Libertarian Shawn Quinn was nominated the LP's candidate by convention.[154]

Hogan won re-election.

Maryland Republican primary[155]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Larry Hogan (incumbent) 210,935 100.00
Total votes 210,935 100.00
Maryland Democratic primary[155]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ben Jealous 231,895 39.59
Democratic Rushern Baker 171,696 29.31
Democratic Jim Shea 48,647 8.31
Democratic Krish O'Mara Vignarajah 48,041 8.20
Democratic Richard Madaleno 34,184 5.84
Democratic Valerie Ervin 18,851 3.22
Democratic Alec Ross 13,780 2.35
Democratic Ralph Jaffe 9,405 1.61
Democratic James Jones 9,188 1.57
Total votes 585,687 100.00
Maryland general election[156]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Larry Hogan (incumbent) 1,275,644 55.35% +4.32
Democratic Ben Jealous 1,002,639 43.51% –3.74
Libertarian Shawn Quinn 13,241 0.57% –0.89
Green Ian Schlakman 11,175 0.48% N/A
Write-in 1,813 0.08% –0.18
Total votes 2,304,512 100.00%
Republican hold

Massachusetts

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 (2018-11-06) 2022 →
 
Nominee Charlie Baker Jay Gonzalez
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Karyn Polito Quentin Palfrey
Popular vote 1,781,341 885,770
Percentage 66.6% 33.1%
Baker:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Gonzalez:      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

Charlie Baker
Republican

Elected Governor

Charlie Baker
Republican

One-term Republican incumbent Charlie Baker ran for re-election.

Former State Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez,[59] environmentalist Bob Massie,[157][158] and former Newton Mayor Setti Warren[159] have announced their candidacies for the Democratic nomination. Warren withdrew from the race, leaving only Gonzalez and Massie.[160]

Baker won re-election.

Massachusetts Republican primary[161]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charlie Baker (incumbent) 174,126 63.78
Republican Scott Lively 98,421 36.05
Write-in 464 0.17
Total votes 273,011 100.00
Massachusetts Democratic primary[162]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jay Gonzalez 348,434 63.17
Democratic Bob Massie 192,404 34.88
Write-in 10,742 1.95
Total votes 551,580 100.00
Massachusetts general election[163]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Charlie Baker (incumbent) 1,781,341 66.60% +18.21
Democratic Jay Gonzalez 885,770 33.12% –13.42
Write-in 7,504 0.28% +0.19
Total votes 2,674,615 100.00%
Republican hold

Michigan

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Michigan gubernatorial election
2018 Michigan gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee Gretchen Whitmer Bill Schuette
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate Garlin Gilchrist Lisa Posthumus Lyons
Popular vote 2,266,139 1,859,534
Percentage 53.3% 43.8%
County results
Whitmer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Schuette:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election

Rick Snyder
Republican

Elected Governor

Gretchen Whitmer
Democratic

Two-term Governor Rick Snyder was term-limited, as Michigan does not allow governors to serve more than two terms.

Attorney General Bill Schuette, Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley, state Senator Patrick Colbeck, and physician Jim Hines were seeking the Republican nomination.[164]

Former state Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, former executive director of the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion Abdul El-Sayed, and businessman Shri Thanedar were seeking the Democratic nomination.[164]

Bill Gelineau[165] and John Tatar[165] were seeking the Libertarian nomination.

Whitmer won the election.

Michigan Republican primary[166]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Schuette 501,959 50.73
Republican Brian Calley 249,185 25.18
Republican Patrick Colbeck 129,646 13.10
Republican Jim Hines 108,735 10.99
Total votes 989,525 100.00
Michigan Democratic primary [166]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gretchen Whitmer 588,436 52.01
Democratic Abdul El-Sayed 342,179 30.24
Democratic Shri Thanedar 200,645 17.73
Total votes 1,131,447 100.00
Michigan general election[167]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gretchen Whitmer 2,266,193 53.31% +6.45
Republican Bill Schuette 1,859,534 43.75% –7.17
Libertarian Bill Gelineau 56,606 1.33% +0.20
Constitution Todd Schleiger 29,219 0.69% +0.08
Green Jennifer Kurland 28,799 0.68% +0.21
Natural Law Keith Butkovich 10,202 0.24% N/A
Write-in 32 0.00% ±0.00
Total votes 4,250,585 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican

Minnesota

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election
2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee Tim Walz Jeff Johnson
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Running mate Peggy Flanagan Donna Bergstrom
Popular vote 1,393,096 1,097,705
Percentage 53.8% 42.4%
Walz:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Tie:      40–50%
Johnson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

Mark Dayton
Democratic (DFL)

Elected Governor

Tim Walz
Democratic (DFL)

Two-term Governor Mark Dayton was eligible to seek re-election, but did not do so.[168]

The Democratic-Farmer-Labor nominee was U.S. Representative Tim Walz.[169] The Republican nominee was Hennepin County Commissioner and 2014 gubernatorial nominee Jeff Johnson.

Former Independence Party Governor Jesse Ventura expressed interest in running again, but ultimately declined.[170]

Walz won the election.

Minnesota Democratic (DLF) primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Tim Walz 242,832 41.60
Democratic (DFL) Erin Murphy 186,969 32.03
Democratic (DFL) Lori Swanson 143,517 24.59
Democratic (DFL) Tim Holden 6,398 1.10
Democratic (DFL) Olé Savior 4,019 0.69
Total votes 583,735 100.00
Minnesota Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeff Johnson 168,841 52.61
Republican Tim Pawlenty 140,743 43.86
Republican Mathew Kruse 11,330 3.53
Total votes 320,914 100.00
Minnesota general election[171]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Tim Walz 1,393,096 53.84% +3.77
Republican Jeff Johnson 1,097,705 42.43% −2.08
Grassroots—LC Chris Wright 68,667 2.65% +1.07
Libertarian Josh Welter 26,735 1.03% +0.11
Write-in 1,084 0.04% ±0.00
Total votes 2,587,287 100.00%
Democratic (DFL) hold

Nebraska

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial election
2018 Nebraska gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
 
Nominee Pete Ricketts Bob Krist
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Mike Foley Lynne Walz
Popular vote 411,812 286,169
Percentage 59.0% 41.0%
County results
Ricketts:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Krist:      50–60%
Governor before election

Pete Ricketts
Republican

Elected Governor

Pete Ricketts
Republican

One-term incumbent Pete Ricketts ran for re-election. Former governor Dave Heineman consid