Gubernatorial Elections

Last Updated Jan 29, 2017

• New Jersey; Incumbent; Chris Christie (R); Due to New Jersey's term limits, Chris Christie will be out of a job in a year, and that's almost a blessing for the Republicans. After his winning with 60% of the vote in 2013, Bridge-gate has taken a heavy toll on his approval ratings. It will be tough for any Republican to win the race to succeed him.

Preliminary Prediction; Democratic Gain

Declared Candidates;

• Republican; State Assemblyman Jack Ciatarelli, Nutley Commissioner Steve Rodgers, businessman Joseph Rudy Rullo
• Democratic; activist Bill Brennan, activist Bob Hoatson, former US Treasury Under Secretary for Enforcement Jim Johnson, former US Ambassador to Germany Phil Murphy, State Assemblyman John Wisniewski, Lisa McCormick, businessman Titus Pierce, Monica Bronson
• Other; pastor Seth Kaper-Dale (Green), dental hygienist Karese Laguerre (Independent)

• Virginia; Incumbent; Terry McAuliffe (D); Virginia is unique in the nation in that it does not allow governors to serve consecutive terms, meaning that it is an open contest to replace incumbent Democrat Terry McAuliffe. The state has trended blue in recent presidential contests, but at the local level it's generally more competitive. The state is going to be viewed as a barometer for how the Trump Administration is being received. In half of the state's ten gubernatorial elections since 1981, the party of the Governor-elect of Virginia went on to take control of one or both houses of Congress.

Preliminary Prediction; Tossup

Declared Candidates;

• Republican; former RNC Chairman and 2014 Senate nominee Ed Gillespie, businessman Denver Riggleman, Prince William Board of County Supervisors Corey Stewart, State Senator Frank Wagner
• Democratic; Lt. Governor Ralph Northam, former US Rep. Tom Perriello