State executive official elections, 2018

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State Executive Officials

State executive elections by position and year:

Democrats gained a net 42 seats in 2018's state executive official elections. There were 303 state executive seats up for election across 43 states in 2018. In the majority of elections—253—no change in partisan control occurred. Democrats won control of 44 previously-Republican seats. Republicans won control of five seats, two of which had previously been under Democratic control, two of which were previously held by independents, and one of which was previously vacant. Republican North Dakota Secretary of State Al Jaeger was re-elected as an independent.

Here is a summary of the results of the 2018 elections:

  • In the 15 states holding elections for auditor, Democrats gained three previously-Republican offices in Delaware, Iowa, and New Mexico.

State executive official elections affected the number of states under state government triplex control: when one political party holds the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state offices in a state's government. Heading into the 2018 elections, there were 22 Republican triplexes and 12 Democratic triplexes. Republicans gained a triplex in previously-Democratic Alaska, while Democrats gained a triplex in previously-Republican Michigan. Democrats also gained triplexes in Colorado, Wisconsin, Illinois, Maine, and New Mexico, while Republicans lost triplexes in Kansas, Nevada, and North Dakota, meaning that Republicans left the 2018 elections with 19 triplexes to Democrats' 17.

Gubernatorial election results also affected the number of state government trifectas, which arise when one party controls the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature. Heading into the 2018 elections, 26 states were under Republican trifecta control and eight states were under Democratic trifecta control. As a result of gubernatorial and legislative elections, Republicans gained a trifecta in Alaska and lost trifectas in Kansas, Michigan, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire. Democrats gained trifectas in Colorado, Illinois, Maine, New Mexico, New York, and Nevada, meaning that Republicans left 2018 with 23 trifectas to Democrats' 14.

This page includes the following components about 2018's state executive elections:

2018 gubernatorial election results summary

See also: Gubernatorial elections, 2018

On Election Day 2018, 36 states held elections for governor, with Republicans holding 26 of them before the election, Democrats holding nine, and one—Alaska Gov. Bill Walker (Alaska)—held by an independent. Democrats flipped seven of the 26 GOP-held seats.

Heading into the election, 33 of the 50 governorships were held by Republicans and 16 by Democrats, plus Alaska’s independent. The 2018 results increased the total number of Democratic governors to 23 and reduced the GOP total to 27.

The new gubernatorial count most closely resembles the landscape after the 2010 election. The last time the Democratic Party had more than 20 governorships was in 2010, when they held 26 heading into that cycle. Republicans entered 2010 with 23 governorships and emerged with 29 following that midterm election.

Incumbents were seeking re-election in 10 of the 36 races contested in 2018, six of them Republicans and four Democrats.

All four Democratic incumbents won their races: New York (Andrew Cuomo), Oregon (Kate Brown), Pennsylvania (Tom Wolf), and Rhode Island (Gina Raimondo).

Republican incumbents won in Arizona (Doug Ducey), Iowa (Kim Reynolds), Nebraska (Pete Ricketts), and New Hampshire (Chris Sununu).

Two Republican incumbents lost:

In five other races without incumbents running, seats held by Republicans were taken by Democrats:

In the Alaska governor’s race, former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy (R) defeated former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich (D). Incumbent Gov. Bill Walker (I) suspended his re-election campaign on October 19, 2018, saying in a statement, "In the time remaining, I believe we cannot win a three-way race,” leaving the seat open for the two major-party candidates.

The first of the maps below shows the results of the 2018 gubernatorial elections. The second shows the total gubernatorial partisan affiliations following the 2018 elections.


2018 state government trifectas results summary

Democrats emerged from the 2018 elections with a net gain in state government trifectas—where one political party holds the governorship, a majority in the state senate, and a majority in the state house in a state's government. Republicans retain a net advantage of eight trifectas over Democrats. The new trifecta count stands at 14 Democratic, 22 Republican, and 14 divided.

Entering the 2018 midterm election, Republicans had a +14 state trifecta lead: of 34 states with trifectas, 26 were Republican and eight were Democratic. But after the votes were counted, Democrats increased their trifecta total with a net gain of six, and Republicans declined to 22 trifectas (a net loss of four). States with divided government (i.e., no trifecta for either major party) declined to 14.

This outcome is similar to the trifecta balance following the 2014 midterm election, which left Republicans with 24 trifectas, Democrats with 13, and 13 states with no trifecta advantage for either major party. After the 2010 midterms, 25 states had no trifectas, Republicans had nine, and Democrats had 16.

In two cases where Democrats gained trifectas, and in one case where Republicans lost a trifecta, Democrats won open gubernatorial races that had been vacated by Republican incumbents who could not seek re-election due to term limits.

The total number of trifectas—36—is almost in line with the 37 trifectas in 2013 and 2014, the most trifectas in recent history.

Change in state government trifectas, 2018 elections
Trifecta status Before After Net
Democratic trifectas Democratic Party 8 14 +6
Republican trifectas Republican Party 26 22 -4
Divided government 16 14 -2


The six Democratic flips from divided government to trifecta control in 2018 were in:

In each of the four states where Republicans lost trifectas the balance of power became divided:

Overall, 10 total states saw a trifecta status change in some way.

  • Colorado: divided government to Democratic trifecta
  • Illinois: divided government to Democratic trifecta
  • Kansas: Republican trifecta to divided government
  • Maine: divided government to Democratic trifecta
  • Michigan: Republican trifecta to divided government
  • Nevada: divided government to Democratic trifecta
  • New Hampshire: Republican trifecta to divided government
  • New Mexico: divided government to Democratic trifecta
  • New York: divided government to Democratic trifecta
  • Wisconsin: Republican trifecta to divided government

The maps and charts below show the pre- and post-2018 election state government trifectas and the percentage of the population living under trifecta control.

Percent of the U.S. population living under trifectas as of Election Day 2018
Total Democratic trifectas Republican trifectas Divided governments
Population 325,025,206[1] 67,128,116 156,080,642 101,816,448
Proportion (%) 100% 20.7% 48.0% 31.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Percent of the U.S. population living under trifectas following the 2018 elections
Total Democratic trifectas Republican trifectas Divided governments
Population 325,025,206[2] 111,808,708 136,066,930 77,149,568
Proportion (%) 100% 34.4% 41.9% 23.7%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

2018 state government triplexes results summary

See also: State government triplexes

A state government triplex is defined as one political party holding the offices of governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. In states where these officers are not all from the same party, differing political views often bring them into direct conflict with one another.

Election 2018 gave Democrats a net gain of five state government triplexes and reduced the number of Republican triplexes by four. These 2018 results trim the GOP advantage to 18 triplex states versus 17 for Democrats. Going into the election, Republicans held a 22-12 advantage.

In two states, triplexes were flipped from one party to the other:

Alaska: Republicans picked up their only triplex gain in Alaska—and took one away from the Democrats—with former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy (R) defeating former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich (D) in the governor’s race. Because the attorney general of Alaska is appointed by the governor, and the state does not have a secretary of state, Ballotpedia considers a triplex in Alaska to be the party controlling the governor’s office. Incumbent Gov. Bill Walker was an independent, but he was endorsed by the Democrats, creating a triplex for Democrats. Walker had been running in a three-way contest for re-election, but he suspended his re-election campaign in October and endorsed Begich.

Michigan: Democrats flipped all three offices and took a triplex away from the Republicans.

Democratic triplex gains occurred in these five states:

Colorado: Democrats flipped the attorney general and the secretary of state.

Wisconsin: Democrats flipped the governor and attorney general.

Illinois: Democrats flipped the governor: Businessman J.B. Pritzker (D) defeated incumbent Bruce Rauner (R).

Maine: Democrats flipped the governor: Maine Attorney General Janet Mills (D) defeated businessman Shawn Moody (R). Incumbent Paul LePage (R) was term-limited.[3]

New Mexico: Democrats flipped the governor: U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) defeated U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce (R). Incumbent Gov. Susana Martinez (R) was term-limited.

Republicans lost triplexes in four states:

Kansas: Democrats flipped the governor: State Sen. Laura Kelly (D) defeated Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R). Incumbent Gov. Jeff Colyer (R) took office following former Gov. Sam Brownback’s resignation in January 2018. Colyer ran for a full term but was defeated by Kobach in the August 7 primary, leaving the seat open.

Nevada: Democrats flipped the governor and attorney general.

North Dakota: The incumbent Republican secretary of state won re-election as an independent, breaking the triplex held by Republicans. Incumbent Al Jaeger—now an independent—defeated state Sen. Joshua Boschee (D). Jaeger originally announced that he would not seek re-election in 2018 for the first time in 26 years. His announcement followed the Republican state party deciding to endorse challenger Will Gardner over Jaeger. However, Gardner dropped out of the race in May, two days after a news story was published detailing an incident in 2006 where Gardner was accused of and pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.

Arizona: Katie Hobbs (D) defeated Steve Gaynor (R) in the general election for secretary of state, thus flipping control of that office to Democrats. The seat was held by Michele Reagan (R), who was defeated in the Republican primary by Gaynor.


Battleground elections

Ballotpedia designated certain 2018 elections as battleground races, due to those races being either particularly competitive, interesting, or meaningful to the future balance of power in that jurisdiction. For example, Ballotpedia identified 25 gubernatorial elections as battleground races. Of the 26 Republican-held seats up for election, 16 were battlegrounds, including 10 of the 13 open seats. Of the nine Democratic-held seats up for election, eight—all except Hawaii—were battlegrounds. Alaska's independent-held seat was also a battleground.

  • For more information about 2018 gubernatorial battleground elections, click here
  • For more information about 2018 attorney general battleground elections, click here
  • For more information about 2018 secretary of state battleground elections, click here

Offices up for election

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Governor

There were 36 gubernatorial seats up for election in 2018.

Out of all the state executive offices, 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.

Primary election coverage
Democratic PartyRepublican PartyLibertarian Party

Lieutenant Governor

There were 30 lieutenant gubernatorial seats on the ballot in 2018.

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.

Attorney General

There were 30 attorney general seats on the ballot in 2018.

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.

Primary election coverage
Democratic PartyRepublican Party

Secretary of State

There were 27 secretary of state seats on the ballot in 2018.

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.

Primary election coverage
Democratic PartyRepublican Party

Down-ballot

There were 180 down-ballot state executive seats up for election in 2018.

Labor Commissioner

Treasurer

Agriculture Commissioner

Auditor

Public Education Commissioner

Comptroller

Insurance Commissioner

Superintendent of Schools

State Board of Education

State Board of Regents

Mine Inspector

Executive Council

Public Service Commissioner

Public Lands Commissioner

State Board of Equalization

Railroad Commissioner

Tax Commissioner

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees

Elections by state

Alabama

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Auditor
Agriculture commissioner
State board of education
Public service commissioner

Alaska

Governor
Lieutenant governor

Arizona

Governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Superintendent of public instruction
Mine inspector
Corporation commission

Arkansas

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Auditor
Treasurer
Public lands commissioner

California

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Controller
Insurance commissioner
Superintendent of public instruction
State board of equalization

Colorado

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
State board of education
State board of regents

Connecticut

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Comptroller

District of Columbia

District board of education

Delaware

Attorney general
Treasurer
Auditor

Florida

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Chief Financial Officer
Agriculture commissioner

Georgia

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Agriculture commissioner
Insurance commissioner
Labor commissioner
Superintendent of public instruction
Public service commissioner

Hawaii

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees

Idaho

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Controller
Superintendent of public instruction

Illinois

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Comptroller

Indiana

Secretary of state
Treasurer
Auditor

Iowa

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Auditor
Agriculture commissioner

Kansas

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Insurance commissioner
State board of education

Louisiana

Secretary of State
Public service commissioner

Maine

Governor

Maryland

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Comptroller

Massachusetts

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Auditor
Governor's Council

Michigan

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
State board of education
State board of regents

Minnesota

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Auditor

Missouri

Auditor

Montana

Public service commissioner

Nebraska

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Auditor
State board of education
State board of regents
Public service commissioner

Nevada

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Controller
State board of regents

New Hampshire

Governor
State executive council

New Mexico

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Auditor
Public lands commissioner
Public education commissioner
Public regulation commissioner

New York

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Comptroller

North Dakota

Attorney general
Secretary of state
Agriculture commissioner
Tax commissioner
Public service commissioner

Ohio

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Auditor
State board of education

Oklahoma

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Treasurer
Auditor
Insurance commissioner
Labor commissioner
Superintendent of public instruction
Corporation commissioner

Oregon

Governor
Labor commissioner

Pennsylvania

Governor
Lieutenant governor

Rhode Island

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer

South Carolina

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Comptroller
Agriculture commissioner
Superintendent of education

South Dakota

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Auditor
Public lands commissioner
Public utilities commissioner

Tennessee

Governor

Texas

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Comptroller
Agriculture commissioner
Railroad commissioner
State board of education
Public lands commissioner

Utah

State board of education

Vermont

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Auditor

Wisconsin

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer

Wyoming

Governor
Secretary of State
Treasurer
Auditor
Superintendent of Public Instruction

Battleground races

General election competitiveness

See also: Annual State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2018

Ballotpedia’s 2018 study of competitiveness in state executive elections revealed the percentage of open seats to be roughly consistent with the average since 2011.

Of the 303 state executive races that occurred in 2018, 186 (61.4%) featured an incumbent seeking re-election. This was broadly consistent with the 63.6% average measured since 2011, and slightly lower than the 67.3% rate for the 2014 election when many of the same offices were last on the ballot.

Of the 117 incumbents not seeking re-election, 46 of them (39.3%) were legally precluded from doing so because of term limits. Of 16 open races for governor in 2018, 13 were due to term limits forcing the incumbent to leave office.

Of the 58 partisan open seats where an incumbent from a major party could have run again, 36 of them (62.1%) were in a state that contained a pivot county (a county that voted twice to elect President Obama in 2008 and 2012, but then switched to supporting President Trump in 2016).

For more on state executive election competitiveness, see:


Primary competitiveness

See also: 2018 primary election competitiveness in state and federal government

Ballotpedia provided in-depth coverage of primary elections in top-ballot state executive races. Click the links below for more information:

Democratic primary coverage

Republican primary coverage

Third party primary coverage

A contested primary is one in which voters have a choice on the ballot. Most commonly, this means that there is more than one candidate from the same political party in the race. Exceptions to this include states with multi-member state legislative districts and states featuring a top-two primary system, such as California and Washington.

The following chart compares the number of open seats, incumbents with primary competition, contested partisan primaries, total seats, and total candidates in 2018 versus 2016 and 2014:

See also

2018 elections:

Previous elections:

Ballotpedia exclusives:

Footnotes

  1. Excludes the 693,972 inhabitants of Washington, D.C.
  2. Excludes the 693,972 inhabitants of Washington, D.C.
  3. In Maine, the state legislature—which remained under the control of Democrats following the 2018 election—selects the attorney general and secretary of state, creating a triplex state with the change of party control at the governor’s office.