Retirements and Open Seats

Alaska (R-Murkowski) - When Frank Murkowski was elected governor in 2002, he appointed his daughter, Lisa, to replace him in the U.S. Senate. Because of it, Lisa faced tough challenges in the primary and general elections (and won). Murkowski, who ranks among the nation's least-popular governors, lost his primary to former Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin (R). She will face former Gov. and 2004 senate nominee Tony Knowles (D) and former state Rep. Andrew Halcro (I). Palin has a large lead in the polls, but Knowles will definitely make it interesting. Oct. 21

Arkansas (R-Huckabee) - Huckabee can't run again in 2006 because of term limits, and he may run for president in 2008. Former Rep. and former Homeland Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson is the GOP nominee. He will face Democratic Attorney General Mike Beebe. For the Green Party, the bearded former state Rep. Jim Lendall is running. Record store owner Rod Bryan (I) is also running. Oct. 21

Colorado (R-Owens) - Given the success of Ken Salazar (D) in the 2004 senate race, the Dems have a shot at winning this race. Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter (D), Rep. Bob Beauprez (R) and Paul Fiorino (I) are running. Gov. Owens, who is not eligible for re-election, is a potential presidential candidate in 2008. Oct. 21

Florida (R-Bush) - Who knows what will happen in this crazy state. One thing is for sure, Bush won't be re-elected governor, not even with them fancy new Diebolds in place. Attorney General Charlie Crist will face Rep. Jim Davis and Max Linn (I). Oct. 21

Idaho (R-Risch) - Jim Risch, who was appointed governor when Dirk Kempthorne was named Secretary of the Interior in May, is running for re-election to his former post of Lt. Gov. The Republican nominee is Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter. Publisher Jerry Brady is running for the Democrats. June 6

Iowa (D-Vilsack) - Vilsack is stepping down and will likely run for president in 2008. Secretary of State Chet Culver (D) and Rep. Jim Nussle (R) will compete in the November election. June 7

Massachusetts (R-Romney) - Gov. Mitt Romney announced that he would not seek re-election to a second term. Clinton Administration civil rights lawyer Deval Patrick (D), Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey (R). Grace Ross (G) and Christy Mihos are all running. Polls show that Deval Patrick is favored. Oct. 21

Nevada (R-Guinn) - Gov. Kenny Guinn can't be re-elected because of term limits. Rep. Jim Gibbons (R) appears to be the front-runner to replace him; other Republicans include Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and state Sen. Bob Beers. Democrats include Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson, state Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus and self-described "liberal Democrat" Leola McConnell. Environmental activist Craig Bergland is running for the Green Party. The Nevada Primary will be held August 15, 2006. April 18

New York (R-Pataki) - After trailing in the polls to Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D), Gov. George Pataki announced in July 2005 that he would not seek re-election. Pataki instead will likely run for president in 2008. Conservative state Assembly Minority Leader John Faso is the sole Republican candidate after former Mass. Gov. Bill Weld dropped out in early June. Meanwhile in the Democratic primary, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi began his campaign for the Democratic nomination at the behest of Spitzer's political enemy, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D), although Schumer's puppetry will likely have little impact on the race. Actor/writer Malachy McCourt is running for the Green Party, on an anti-nuke, anti-death penalty platform, bringing some star power to the race. Despite the anti-Spitzer forces at work, the prolific prosecutor is favored to win. June 6

Ohio (R-Taft) - Gov. Bob Taft, who was recently convicted for ethics violations and is highly unpopular, is not eligible to seek re-election in 2006 because of term limits. Meanwhile the Ohio Republican Party is in damage control mode, with "coingate" — an investment scandal involving Tom Noe, who has raised money for just about every Republican in the race. In another investigation, Rep. Bob Ney (R) is on the hot seat for his involvement with Indian casino lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is under indictment. The Republican nominee is Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, who won a degree of national notoriety by presiding over the 2004 election recounts. He will face Rep. Ted Strickland (D) and Bill Peirce (L), a professor emeritus of economics at Case Western Reserve University. With the current shape of the Republican Party in Ohio, this is a toss-up. May 12

In trouble???

California (R-Schwarzenegger) - With his approval rating on the rocks, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is in serious trouble for the November election. Treasurer Phil Angelides is the Democratic nomination. Also running is the Greens Party's Peter Camejo, founder of an investment firm, who will make his third bid for governor following his failed vice-presidential bid. Bellflower Mayor Art Oliver is running for the Libertarian Party, as is Independent George Fellows, a budget analyst for the state government. June 7

Georgia (R-Perdue) - Gov. Sonny Perdue may get a strong challenger in Secretary of State Cathy Cox (D). Republicans reportedly tried to get Cox to cross over to their party by offering her the Lt. Gov. seat to keep her out of the governor's race. However, Cox announced that she is running for governor as a Democrat, as is Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor. Computer technician Garrett Hayes is running on the Libertarian ticket. Nov. 29 The state primary will be held on July 18. Nov. 29

Illinois (D-Blagojevich) - Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) has publicly feuded with just about every top Democrat in the state, which doesn't bode well for his prospects for getting re-elected. However, challengers will need gobs of cash to compete with Gov. Blagojevich's massive war chest. There's good news for Blagojevich's opponents, however. According to newspaper accounts, pit-bull U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, having recently scored guilty verdicts on all 18 counts in former Gov. George Ryan's corruption trial, is now reportedly investigating the "G-Rod" administration. Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka (R) — the only Republican statewide office holder — won the March 21 GOP Primary. Because she is pro-gay rights and is a little squishy on the abortion issue, many conservatives believe Topinka is too moderate. Carbondale attorney and former state rep. candidate Rich Whitney (G) is making a late surge in the polls. For more information and complete coverage on the Illinois elections, visit our 2006 Illinois Elections page. Oct. 21

Maryland (R-Ehrlich) - Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R) may be getting some bad news soon. It appears Joe Steffen, Ehrlich's former advisor, his "Karl Rove," if you will, may be running for governor as a Libertarian. Steffen was fired by Ehrlich for spreading rumors about the marital fidelity of Ehrlich's top Democratic oppenent, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley. With Steffen in, this O'Malley is a slight favorite (should he win the Democratic nomination, of course). Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan (D) is also running. The Maryland Primary is to be held September 12. Nov. 2

Minnesota (R-Pawlenty) - State Sen. Becky Lourey, mother of an soldier killed in Iraq, is running for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, along with Attorney General Mike Hatch and state Sen. Steve Kelley. Pawlenty appears to be lagging in the latest head-to-head polling done by Rasmussen Reports, where he trails Democrats Hatch (49%-39%), Lourey (43%-40%) and Kelley (43%-38%), making this once "safe" race much more interesting. The Minnesota Primary is set for Sept. 12. May 12

Nebraska (R-Heineman) - Heineman became governor when Mike Johanns was nominated as Secretary of Agriculture in Bush's cabinet. Since then, Heineman beat Tom Osborne, the former football coach who is considered one of the state's most popular candidates. David Hahn, a publishing executive, is running for the Democrats. Heineman is strongly favored. June 6

Pennsylvania (D-Rendell) - Football Hall of Famer and chair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness Lynn Swann won the GOP primary, and will face first-term Gov. Ed Rendell. Construction contractor Hagen Smith is running for the ultraconservative Constitution Party. Recording studio owner Russ Diamond is running as an independent. Jun6

Safe (for now!!!)

Alabama (R-Riley) - Riley's main opponent will be Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley, who won the Democratic primary against former Gov. Don Siegelman, who was once indicted and later cleared in a bid-rigging scheme. Former Democratic state Rep. Nathan Mathis will run as an independent, and Marijuana Party chair Loretta Nall is also running. June 7

Arizona (D-Napolitano) - After a series of high-profile GOP candidates backed away from challenging Gov. Janet Napolitano, former state Senate President John Greene came forward and announced his candidacy in late June. In August Dan Goldwater, nephew of former Sen. Barry Goldwater (R), announced his bid for the GOP nomination. Retired Arizona Court of Appeals judge Jan Smith Florez (R) has also joined the race. Barry Hess (L) and Charles Goodson (Southern) will also run in 2006. At this point, the popular Napolitano appears to be safe, but a big GOP primary battle could draw a lot of money into the race. Nov. 29

Connecticut (R-Rell) - Gov. Jodi Rell ascended to the Governor's office in 2004 after a scandal forced John Rowland to resign. Rell, who recovered from breast cancer surgery in Dec. 2004, has enjoyed a very high approval rating since taking office. Democrats include New Haven Mayor John DeStefano and Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy. Cliff Thornton, a retired businessman, is running for the Green Party. June 6

Hawaii (R-Lingle) - If the Dems are smart, they'll try to take down Lingle -- the first Hawaii Republican elected governor since the dawn of time. Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim is a possible candidate after other top tier candidates backed away from the challenge. Entertainer Brian Evans (D) is another possible opponent. Nov. 2

Kansas (D-Sebelius) - Kathleen Sebelius made national headlines in 2002 when she pulled off a major upset to become the first Kansas Democrat to win Gov. since Creation. Question is, can she hold on? The odds are looking good for Sebelius after several high-profile Republicans, such as Sen. Sam Brownback (R) and Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R) and Rep. Jerry Moran (R), have said they will not seek the GOP gubernatorial nomination. State Speaker Doug Mays and state Sen. Jim Barnett are running. Nov. 2

Maine (D-Baldacci) - Gov. Baldacci . State Sen. Peter Mills, former Rep. Dave Emery, state Sen. Chandler Woodcock and owner/operator of Call's Shop N Save Mark Call is running for the GOP. Possible Green Party challengers include vice presidential nominee Pat LaMarche. The Green Party received 9% of the vote in the last gubernatorial race. The primary will be held June 13.Dec. 8

Michigan (D-Granholm) - Gov. Jennifer Granholm became the darling of the Democratic Party after her hard-fought win in 2002. Manufacturing businessman Dick DeVos is running for the Republicans. Dec. 8

New Mexico (D-Richardson) - Richardson is running for re-election and will probably seek the presidency in 2008. Richardson is unlikely to see a serious GOP challenger; however, that could soon change. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Richardson admitted that he was not, in fact, drafted by the Kansas City A's baseball franchise as a young man, and believed he had because he say it printed on a program. An investigation into the matter turned up no evidence that Richardson was ever drafted by any team. It's unclear at this point if this will change voters' perception of Richardson, making him vulnerable. Nov. 25

Oklahoma (D-Henry) - Republican challengers include State Sen. James Williamson and oil executive Bob Sullivan and Rep. Ernest Istook, who is considered the front-runner. Dec. 8

Oregon (D-Kulongoski) - In the Democratic primary, Kulongoski will face Lane County Commissioner Pete Sorenson, who called the governor "a disappointment," and state Sen. Vicki Walker. State GOP chair Kevin Mannix, state Sen. Jason Atkinson, businessman Ames Cutright, and former police officer Bill Spidal are running for the GOP nomination. Jan. 17

Rhode Island (R-Carcieri) - Lt. Gov. Charlie Fogarty (D), who can't seek re-election to his current post, is the likely Democratic nominee. Dec. 8

South Carolina (R-Sanford) - State Sen. Tommy Moore (D) and Florence Mayor Frank Willis (D) are running for the Democrats. Gov. Mike Sanford will have a little competition in the primary from rural family practice physician Oscar Lovelace (R). Unless these candidates can make some serious noise, however, Sanford is a safe bet. Nov. 2

South Dakota (R-Rounds) - Former Sen. Tom Daschle (D) won't likely take on Gov. Mike Rounds, but fun to think about. Huron City Commissioner and former state Sen. Ron Volesky (D) is running, but Rounds is heavily favored to win. Nov. 2

Tennessee (D-Bredesen) - State Sen. Jim Bryson and contractor Mark Albertini are running for the Republican nomination, although Gov. Phil Bredesen is strongly favored to win. June 6

Texas (R-Perry) - The somewhat unpopular Gov. Rick Perry has made himself much less vulnerable by shoring up his conservative base in recent months. However, state Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, a former Republican who is running as an independent, will likely steal a good chunk of the Republican vote, making Perry vulnerable. For the Democrats, the gerrymandered former Rep. Chris Bell also seems to be stagnating in the polls; Perry (46%) posted a solid lead over Bell (25%), as well as writer and country singer Kinky Friedman (I) (13%). Speaking of life, Christian conservative Larry Kilgore, whose campaign home page features a photo of an aborted fetus, is also running. One unknown to keep in mind: It's still unclear what effect thousands of displaced hurricane victims from Louisiana and other states will have on the race, if any. Jan. 3

Vermont (R-Douglas) - Gov. Jim Douglas will likely face ordained minister and former state Sen. Scudder Parker (D). Parker formally kicked off his campaign at the end of October—his prospects for fundraising may be improving with Vermont's senate race all but sewn up. Keep an eye on this one. Nov. 2

Wisconsin (D-Doyle) - Rep. Mark Green (R) is running for the GOP nomination. As of yet, Gov. Jim Doyle does not have any competition for the Sept. 12 Wisconsin Primary. June 6

Wyoming (D-Freudenthal) - Though a Democrat in a very Republican state, Gov. Dave Freudenthal is actually quite popular and is strongly favored to win. Lawyer Ray Hunkins is running for the Republicans. The Wyoming Primary is to be held August 22. June 6