1994 United States gubernatorial elections
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38 governorships 36 states; 2 territories | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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On November 8, 1994, gubernatorial elections were held in 36 states and two territories across the United States. Many seats held by Democratic governors switched to the Republicans during the time known as the Republican Revolution. Notably, this marked the first time since 1969 that Republicans secured the majority of governorships in an election cycle.
Before the elections, 21 seats were held by Democrats, 14 were held by Republicans, and one seat was held by an independent. After the elections, 11 seats would be held by Democrats, 24 by Republicans, and one seat by an independent.
These elections occurred concurrently with the midterm elections for the Senate and the House of Representatives. To date, it remains the last time that Democrats have won gubernatorial elections in Florida and Nebraska. Conversely, this election cycle began an ongoing pattern in which Rust Belt states Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin would vote for gubernatorial candidates of the same party, with the sole exception of 2014.[2] As of 2025, this is the last time one party posted a net gain of 10 or more seats.
Election results
[edit]States
[edit]| State | Incumbent | Party | First elected |
Result | Candidates |
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| Alabama | Jim Folsom Jr. | Democratic | 1993[b] | Incumbent lost election to full term. New governor elected. Republican gain. |
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| Alaska | Wally Hickel | Republican | 1966[c] 1969 (resigned) 1990 |
Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Democratic gain. |
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| Arizona | Fife Symington | Republican | 1990 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Arkansas | Jim Guy Tucker | Democratic | 1992[d] | Incumbent elected to full term. |
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| California | Pete Wilson | Republican | 1990 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Colorado | Roy Romer | Democratic | 1986 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Connecticut | Lowell Weicker | A Connecticut Party | 1990 | Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Republican gain. |
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| Florida | Lawton Chiles | Democratic | 1990 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Georgia | Zell Miller | Democratic | 1990 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Hawaii | John D. Waihe'e III | Democratic | 1986 | Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic hold. |
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| Idaho | Cecil D. Andrus | Democratic | 1970 1977 (resigned) 1986 |
Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Republican gain. |
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| Illinois | Jim Edgar | Republican | 1990 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Iowa | Terry Branstad | Republican | 1982 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Kansas | Joan Finney | Democratic | 1990 | Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Republican gain. |
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| Maine | John R. McKernan Jr. | Republican | 1986 | Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Independent gain. |
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| Maryland | William D. Schaefer | Democratic | 1986 | Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic hold. |
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| Massachusetts | Bill Weld | Republican | 1990 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Michigan | John Engler | Republican | 1990 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Minnesota | Arne Carlson | Republican | 1990 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Nebraska | Ben Nelson | Democratic | 1990 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Nevada | Bob Miller | Democratic | 1989[e] | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| New Hampshire | Steve Merrill | Republican | 1992 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| New Mexico | Bruce King | Democratic | 1970 1974 (term-limited) 1978 1982 (term-limited) 1990 |
Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Republican gain. |
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| New York | Mario Cuomo | Democratic | 1982 | Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Republican gain. |
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| Ohio | George Voinovich | Republican | 1990 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Oklahoma | David Walters | Democratic | 1990 | Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Republican gain. |
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| Oregon | Barbara Roberts | Democratic | 1990 | Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Democratic hold. |
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| Pennsylvania | Bob Casey Sr. | Democratic | 1986 | Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican gain. |
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| Rhode Island | Bruce Sundlun | Democratic | 1990 | Incumbent lost renomination. New governor elected. Republican gain. |
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| South Carolina | Carroll A. Campbell Jr. | Republican | 1986 | Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican hold. |
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| South Dakota | Walter Dale Miller | Republican | 1993[f] | Incumbent lost nomination to full term. New governor elected. Republican hold. |
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| Tennessee | Ned McWherter | Democratic | 1986 | Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican gain. |
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| Texas | Ann Richards | Democratic | 1990 | Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Republican gain. |
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| Vermont | Howard Dean | Democratic | 1991[g] | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Wisconsin | Tommy Thompson | Republican | 1986 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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| Wyoming | Mike Sullivan | Democratic | 1986 | Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican gain. |
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Territories and federal district
[edit]| Territory | Incumbent | Party | First elected |
Result | Candidates |
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| District of Columbia | Sharon Pratt | Democratic | 1990 | Incumbent lost renomination. New mayor elected. Democratic hold. |
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| Guam | Joseph Franklin Ada | Republican | 1986 | Incumbent retired. New governor elected.[3] Democratic gain. |
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| U.S. Virgin Islands | Alexander Farrelly | Democratic | 1986 | Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected.[4] Independent gain. |
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Closest races
[edit]States where the margin of victory was under 1%:
- Alaska, 0.2%
- Maryland, 0.4%
- Alabama, 0.9%
States where the margin of victory was under 5%:
- Florida, 1.5%
- Maine, 1.5%
- Georgia, 2.1%
- South Carolina, 2.5%
- New York, 3.3%
- Connecticut, 3.5%
- Rhode Island, 3.8%
States where the margin of victory was under 10%:
- Pennsylvania, 5.5%
- Hawaii, 5.9%
- Texas, 7.6%
- Arizona, 8.2%
- Idaho, 8.4%
- Oregon, 8.5%
- Tennessee, 9.6%
- Guam, 9.7%
- New Mexico, 9.9%
Alabama
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 County results James: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Folsom: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Alabama gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994, to select the governor of Alabama. The election saw Republican Fob James defeat incumbent Democrat Jim Folsom Jr. in an upset. This was the first of three consecutive Alabama gubernatorial elections where the incumbent was defeated.
Alaska
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 Results by state house district Knowles: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Campbell: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994, for the post of Governor of Alaska, United States. Democratic candidate Tony Knowles narrowly defeated Republican candidate Jim Campbell and Lieutenant Governor Jack Coghill of the Alaskan Independence Party. In the Republican Revolution year of the 1994 elections, Alaska's was the only governor's seat in the country to switch from Republican to Democratic.
Arizona
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 County results Symington: 40–50% 50-60% 60–70% Basha: 50–60% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Arizona gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994, for the post of Governor of Arizona. Fife Symington, the incumbent Republican Governor of Arizona, defeated the Democratic nominee Eddie Basha to win a second term in office. However, Symington resigned in 1997 due to a federal indictment on corruption charges.
Arkansas
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 County results
Tucker: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Arkansas gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994, as a part of the United States gubernatorial elections, 1994.
California
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  Wilson: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Brown: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 California gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994, in the midst of that year's "Republican Revolution". Incumbent Republican Pete Wilson easily won re-election over his main challenger, Democratic State Treasurer Kathleen Brown, the daughter of Pat Brown and younger sister of Jerry Brown, both of whom had previously served as governor. Primaries were held on June 3, 1994.
Colorado
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 County results Romer: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Benson: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994, to select the governor of the state of Colorado. Although Colorado voters passed a term limits ballot measure in 1990 limiting the governors to two terms, it included a provision for Roy Romer, the Democratic incumbent, to be able to run for reelection for a third term.[5] The Republican nominee, Chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, Bruce D. Benson, lost by a margin of nearly 18 percent.
Connecticut
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Rowland: 20–30% 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Curry: 20–30% 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Groark: 30–40% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Connecticut gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994, to elect the governor of Connecticut. Republican John G. Rowland won the open seat following the retirement of A Connecticut Party Governor Lowell Weicker. The election was a four-way race between A Connecticut Party Lieutenant Governor Eunice Groark, Republican U.S. Congressman John G. Rowland, Democratic state comptroller Bill Curry, and independent conservative talk show host Tom Scott. Rowland won the election with just 36% of the vote.[6]
Florida
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   Chiles: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Bush: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Tie: 50% No votes | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994. Incumbent Democratic governor Lawton Chiles won re-election over Republican Jeb Bush, who later won Florida’s governorship in 1998 when Chiles was term-limited. This race was the second-closest gubernatorial election in Florida history since Reconstruction, due to the strong Republican wave of 1994.
Georgia
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 County results Miller: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Millner: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Georgia gubernatorial election occurred on November 8, 1994, to elect the next governor of Georgia from 1995 to 1999. Incumbent Democratic governor Zell Miller, first elected in 1990, ran for a second term. In his party's primary, Miller received three challengers, but easily prevailed with just over 70% of the vote. The contest for the Republican nomination, however, was a competitive race. As no candidate received a majority of the vote, John Knox and Guy Millner advanced to a run-off election. Millner was victorious and received the Republican nomination after garnering 59.41% of the vote.
The general election was a competitive race between Zell Miller and Guy Millner. Issues such as welfare reform, education, and the removal of the Confederate battle flag from Georgia's state flag dominated the election. On election day, Miller defeated Millner 51.05%-48.95% in the third-closest gubernatorial election in Georgian history – behind only the 2018 and 1966 elections – since Reconstruction due to the strong Republican wave of 1994.
Hawaii
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 County results Cayetano: 30–40% 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Hawaii gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1994. Incumbent Democratic Governor of Hawaii John D. Waihee III was prevented from seeking a third term as Governor due to term limits, creating an open seat. Lieutenant Governor Ben Cayetano emerged from a crowded primary to become the Democratic nominee, facing off against former Administrator of the Small Business Administration Pat Saiki, the Republican nominee and Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi, who ran as the Best Party of Hawaii's nominee. In a very close election, Cayetano beat Fasi, who placed second, by six percentage points and Saiki, who placed third, winning only a plurality of the vote. Fasi's performance was notable in that it was the best performance by a third party gubernatorial candidate in Hawaii's history.
Idaho
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 County results Batt: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Echo Hawk: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 8 to select the governor of the U.S. state of Idaho. Democratic incumbent Cecil Andrus chose not to seek reelection after a total of fourteen years in office. Former state senator and Republican Party chair Phil Batt rallied to defeat Democratic attorney general Larry Echo Hawk; the victory was the first by a Republican in 28 years.
Illinois
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| Turnout | 50.77%  3.23 pp | |||||||||||||||||||
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 County results Edgar: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% Netsch: 40–50% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994. Incumbent Republican Governor Jim Edgar won reelection in the largest landslide in over a century, after the elections of 1818 and 1848.
Iowa
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 County results Branstad: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% Campbell: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Iowa gubernatorial election took place November 8, 1994. Incumbent Republican Governor of Iowa Terry Branstad ran for re-election to a fourth term as governor. Branstad narrowly defeated a tough challenger in his primary election, emerging victorious by 11,419 votes. On the Democratic side, Attorney General of Iowa Bonnie Campbell won her party's nomination and both Branstad and Campbell moved on to the general election. Branstad ultimately won re-election to a fourth term as governor, defeating Campbell in a landslide.
Kansas
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 County results Graves: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Slattery: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Kansas gubernatorial election included Republican Bill Graves who won the open seat vacated by the pending retirement of Governor Joan Finney. He defeated Jim Slattery.[7]
Maine
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  King: 20–30%
30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Brennan: 20–30% 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Collins: 20–30% 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% >90% Tie: 20–30% 30–40% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994 to elect the governor of Maine. Incumbent Republican governor John McKernan was term-limited and could not seek re-election to a third consecutive term. Independent Angus King won the election.
King defeated Democratic nominee, former governor and congressman Joseph Brennan, Republican nominee Susan Collins, a regional coordinator of the Small Business Administration, and Green nominee Jonathan Carter, an environmentalist activist. Ed Finks, as a write-in candidate, received in 1.29% of the vote. This was the first election since 1974 that Maine elected an independent governor.
Maryland
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| Turnout | 60.67%  5.82%[8] | |||||||||||||||||||
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 County results Glendening: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% Sauerbrey: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Maryland gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994. Incumbent Democratic governor William Donald Schaefer was ineligible for re-election. Prince George's County Executive Parris Glendening emerged victorious from the Democratic primary after defeating several candidates. Maryland House minority leader Ellen Sauerbrey, who would also be the 1998 Republican nominee for governor, won her party's nomination.
In the general election, Glendening narrowly defeated Sauerbrey by a margin of 50.21 percent to 49.78 percent, or by 5,993 votes, the closest gubernatorial election in Maryland since 1919[9] and the first gubernatorial election in Maryland history to be decided by an absentee runoff.[10]
Massachusetts
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| Turnout | 70.05% 5.8 [11] | |||||||||||||||||||
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Weld: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Roosevelt: 50–60% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994. Incumbent Republican governor Bill Weld won reelection as Governor of Massachusetts by the largest margin in state history, winning every single county and all but 6 of the state's 351 municipalities. As of 2024, this is the most recent election in which Boston, Somerville, Lawrence, Chelsea, Brookline, Northampton, Provincetown, Monterey, Great Barrington, Ashfield, Williamstown, Williamsburg, Shelburne, Sunderland, and Pelham voted for the Republican candidate for governor.
Michigan
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 County results Engler: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Wolpe: 50–60% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the state of Michigan. Incumbent Governor John Engler, a member of the Republican Party, was re-elected over Democratic Party nominee and Congressman Howard Wolpe. The voter turnout was 45.5%.[12]
Minnesota
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  Carlson: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Marty: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Tie: 40–50% 50% No votes | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994, in the midst of that year's Republican Revolution. Incumbent Republican Arne Carlson easily won re-election over Democrat–Farmer–Labor state senator John Marty.
Nebraska
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 County results Nelson: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Spence: 50–60% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994. Incumbent governor Ben Nelson won a re-election to a second term in a landslide, defeating Republican businessman Gene Spence by 47.4 percentage points and sweeping all but two counties in the state. As of 2025, this is the last time that a Democrat was elected governor of Nebraska.
Nevada
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 County results Miller: 40–50% 50–60% Gibbons: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Nevada gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994. Incumbent Democrat Bob Miller won re-election to a second term as Governor of Nevada, defeating Republican nominee Jim Gibbons (who would later go on to narrowly win the governorship in 2006, twelve years later). This would be the last victory by a Democrat in a governors race in Nevada until Steve Sisolak's victory in the 2018 election twenty-four years later, and remains the last time that a Democratic governor has won re-election. As of 2023, this is the last time that a gubernatorial nominee and a lieutenant gubernatorial nominee of different political parties were elected governor and lieutenant governor of Nevada respectively. This election was the first Nevada gubernatorial election since 1962 in which the winner of the gubernatorial election was of the same party as the incumbent president.
New Hampshire
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Merrill: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% King: 40–50% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994. Incumbent Governor Steve Merrill won re-election.
New Mexico
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 County results Johnson: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% King: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 New Mexico gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994, for the four-year term beginning on January 1, 1995. Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor ran on a ticket as running mates.
Incumbent Democrat Bruce King ran for a fourth term with Patricia Madrid as a running mate, losing to Republican nominees Gary Johnson, a businessman, and Walter Bradley, a former state senator. Former Lieutenant Governor Roberto Mondragón ran with Steven Schmidt as the nominees of the Green Party, receiving 10.4 percent of the vote.
New York
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 County results Pataki: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Cuomo: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 New York gubernatorial election was an election for the state governorship held on November 8, 1994. Incumbent Democratic governor Mario Cuomo ran for a fourth term, but was defeated by Republican George Pataki in an upset victory. Pataki had previously been described by the New York Daily News as "a little-known Republican state senator."[13] The conservative New York Post attributed the result to how voters "had grown tired of the 12-year incumbent Cuomo and his liberalism."[14]
Pataki's victory was one of the most notable of the 1994 "Republican Revolution" midterm elections, which also ousted governors in Alabama, New Mexico, and Texas. This is the last time a governor of New York lost re-election. This would be the last gubernatorial race until 2022 that was decided by a single-digit margin.
Ohio
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Voinovich: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Burch: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Ohio gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994. Incumbent Republican Governor of Ohio George Voinovich ran for re-election to a second and final term as governor. Voinovich won his party's nomination uncontested and was opposed by State Senator Rob Burch, who won a competitive Democratic primary. Ultimately, Voinovich capitalized on his massive popularity with Ohio and won re-election in an overwhelming landslide, defeating Burch and winning over 70% of the vote. As of 2024[update], this was the last time Athens County voted for the Republican candidate.
Oklahoma
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 County results Keating: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Mildren: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% Watkins: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Oklahoma gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994, and was a race for Governor of Oklahoma. Former United States Associate Attorney General Frank Keating pulled an upset in the three-way race to become only the third Republican governor in Oklahoma history.
The Democratic vote was split between Lieutenant Governor Jack Mildren, an Oklahoma Sooners star quarterback from 1969 to 1971, and former Democratic congressman Wes Watkins, who ran as an independent. Watkins won 24% of the vote and carried numerous counties (by wide margins in some cases); his 233,000 votes far exceeded Keating's 171,000-vote winning margin over Mildren.
This was the first time since Oklahoma statehood that Jackson County, Stephens County, and Grady County voted Republican in a gubernatorial election, and the first time since 1914 that Comanche County voted Republican.
Oregon
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 County results Kitzhaber: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Smith: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Oregon gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1994. Democratic nominee John Kitzhaber won the election, defeating Republican Denny Smith.
Pennsylvania
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 County results Ridge: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Singel: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994. The incumbent governor, Bob Casey, Sr. (Democrat), was barred from seeking a third term by the state constitution. The Republican Party nominated Congressman Tom Ridge, while the Democrats nominated Mark Singel, Casey's lieutenant governor. Ridge went on to win the race with 45% of the vote. Singel finished with 39%, and Constitution Party candidate Peg Luksik finished third, garnering 12% of the vote.
Rhode Island
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Almond: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% York: 40–50% 50–60% Healey: 30–40% | |||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Rhode Island gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994. Republican Lincoln Almond defeated Democrat Myrth York. Almond was the first governor elected to a four-year term, as opposed to two years.
South Carolina
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 County results Beasley: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% Theodore: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994, to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. The contest featured two politicians from the Upstate and David Beasley narrowly defeated Nick Theodore to become the 113th governor of South Carolina.
South Dakota
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 County results Janklow: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Beddow: 50–60% 80–90% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 South Dakota gubernatorial election, took place on November 8, 1994, to elect a Governor of South Dakota. Republican former Governor Bill Janklow was elected, defeating Democratic nominee Jim Beddow.
Tennessee
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| Turnout | 56.62%[15] | ||||||||||||||||
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 County results Sundquist: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Bredesen: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Tennessee gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994 to elect the next governor of Tennessee. Incumbent Democratic governor Ned McWherter was term-limited, leaving the governorship an open seat. Republican congressman Don Sundquist was elected Governor of Tennessee, defeating Democratic nominee Phil Bredesen, the mayor of Nashville, who later won Tennessee's governorship in 2002 & 2006.
David Y. Copeland III unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination, while Bill Morris and Steve Cohen unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination.
Texas
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| Turnout | 50.87% | ||||||||||||||||
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 County results Bush: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Richards: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Democratic governor Ann Richards was defeated in her bid for re-election by Republican nominee and future president George W. Bush, the son of former president George H. W. Bush.
Before the election, Richards had a high approval rating due to the strength of the state economy. However, Bush's campaigning on cultural and religious issues resonated with many Texan voters, and the race was considered a tossup on election day.
Vermont
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Dean: 30-40%
40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% Kelley: 40-50% 50-60% | |||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1994. Incumbent Governor Howard Dean won re-election.
Wisconsin
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  Thompson: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Chvala: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Tie: | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994. In the midst of the Republican Revolution, incumbent Republican governor Tommy Thompson won the election with a landslide 67% of the vote, winning a third term as Governor of Wisconsin.
Thompson's share of the popular vote was the highest received by any gubernatorial candidate in Wisconsin since 1920. Thompson also won 71 of Wisconsin's 72 counties, losing only Menominee County by 20 votes. This is the most recent gubernatorial election in which Dane County (containing Wisconsin's capital of Madison), as well as Ashland, Bayfield, and Douglas counties, have voted for the Republican candidate.
Wyoming
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| Turnout | 84.51% Registered 4.52% 44.31% of Total Population 9.01% | ||||||||||||||||
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 County results Geringer: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Karpan: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1994 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994. Incumbent Democratic Governor Mike Sullivan was unable to seek a third term because of newly imposed term limits, and instead ran for the U.S. Senate. State Senate President Jim Geringer won the Republican primary and faced Secretary of State Kathy Karpan, the Democratic nominee, in the general election. Aided by the nationwide Republican wave, Geringer defeated Karpan in a landslide, marking the first time since Governor Stanley Hathaway's re-election in 1970 that a Republican won a gubernatorial election in Wyoming.
Territories and federal district
[edit]District of Columbia
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 Results by ward Barry: 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Schwartz: 40–50% 60–70% >90% | |||||||||||||||||
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On November 8, 1994, Washington, D.C., held an election for its mayor. It featured the return of Marion Barry, who served as mayor from 1979 until 1991.
Barry served six months in prison on a cocaine conviction. After his release from prison, Barry ran successfully for the Ward 8 city council seat in 1992, running under the slogan "He May Not Be Perfect, But He's Perfect for D.C." Upon this victory, Barry said he was "not interested in being mayor" again.[16]
This was by far the smallest Democratic victory margin in a regularly scheduled partisan citywide election since the city was granted home rule.
Guam
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The 1994 Guam gubernatorial election was held on 8 November 1994, in order to elect the Governor of Guam. Democratic nominee and incumbent member of the Guam Legislature Carl Gutierrez defeated Republican nominee Francisco Blas Aguon Sr.[17]
U.S. Virgin Islands
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General elections were held in the United States Virgin Islands on November 8, 1994, to elect a new governor and lieutenant governor, 15 members of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands and the Delegate to the United States House of Representatives.
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Alaskan Governor Wally Hickel was elected on the Alaskan Independence Party line in 1990 but switched to the Republican Party in April 1994.[1]
- ^ Folsom took office after his predecessor (H. Guy Hunt) was removed from office.
- ^ Hickel was elected as a Republican in his first term in 1966. He was elected under the Alaskan Independence Party for his second term in 1990, before switching back to the Republican Party towards the end of his second term in April 1994.
- ^ Tucker took office after his predecessor (Bill Clinton) resigned.
- ^ Miller took office after his predecessor (Richard Bryan) resigned. He was subsequently elected in the 1990 Nevada gubernatorial election.
- ^ Miller took office after his predecessor (George S. Mickelson) died.
- ^ Dean took office after his predecessor (Richard Snelling) died. He was subsequently elected in the 1992 Vermont gubernatorial election.
References
[edit]- ^ "Alaska's Gov. Hickel Rejoins Gop Amid Speculation Over Another Term". The Seattle Times. Seattle. Associated Press. April 15, 1994. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
- ^ Brownstein, Ronald (September 16, 2024). "Why these three states are the most consistent tipping point in American politics". CNN. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ^ "Guam Governor Race - Nov 08, 1994". Our Campaigns. July 3, 2015.
- ^ "USVI Governor Race - Nov 08, 1994". Our Campaigns. January 19, 2006.
- ^ "CHILL WIND BLOWING FOR DEMOCRATS IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATES - The Washington Post". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Summary of Vote for Governor and Lieutenant Governor" (PDF). Office of the Connecticut Secretary of the State. November 13, 1994. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 15, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
- ^ "1994 Gubernatorial Election". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^ Rasmussen, Frederick N. (November 10, 1994). "Maryland's last cliffhanger was 1919 governor's race". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ Frece, John W. (November 9, 1994). "Republicans anticipated absentee role". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ "Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 1994".
- ^ "General Election Voter Registration/Turnout Statistics". State of Michigan official website. Archived from the original on December 22, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ Kenneth Lovett; Larry McShane (January 5, 2015). "Mario Cuomo, former New York governor, dead at 82". New York Daily News.
- ^ Carl Campanile; Larry Celona; Leonard Greene (January 1, 2015). "Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo dead at 82". The New York Post.
- ^ "Tennessee Voter Turnout in 1994". Tennessee Secretary of State. November 8, 1994. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ "Former Mayor's Victory Worries Many in Capital". The New York Times. September 17, 1992. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
- ^ "Gov. Carl T. C. Gutierrez". National Governors Association. January 5, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2023.