How do governor elections work

Candidates travel all over the state to spread their message, speak to voters and raise campaign money. Many private citizens also run, but since the costs to run a campaign are so high, it's usually reserved for people with lots of money and connections.

Governors serve for four years once elected -- with the exception of Vermont and New Hampshire. In those two states, governors serve two-year terms. In 36 states, governors are limited to two consecutive terms [source: Ballotpedia ]. Now let's look at how a governor's office is organized, and how they're able to get the job done.

Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Lou Leon Guerrero. Governor of Hawaii. David Ige. Governor of Idaho. Brad Little.

Governor of Illinois. Governor of Indiana. Eric Holcomb. Governor of Iowa. Kim Reynolds. Governor of Kansas. Laura Kelly. Governor of Kentucky. Andy Beshear. Governor of Louisiana. John Bel Edwards. Governor of Maine. Janet T. Governor of Maryland. Larry Hogan. Governor of Massachusetts. Charles D. Governor of Michigan. Gretchen Whitmer. Governor of Minnesota. Tim Walz. Governor of Mississippi. Tate Reeves. Governor of Missouri. Mike Parson. Governor of Montana. Greg Gianforte. Governor of Nebraska.

Pete Ricketts. Governor of Nevada. Steve Sisolak. Governor of New Hampshire. Chris Sununu. Governor of New Jersey. Phil Murphy. Governor of New Mexico. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Governor of New York. Kathy Hochul. Governor of North Carolina. Roy Cooper. Governor of North Dakota. Doug Burgum. Governor of Ohio. Richard Michael DeWine. Governor of Oklahoma. Kevin Stitt. Governor of Oregon. Kate Brown. Governor of Pennsylvania.

Tom Wolf. Governor of Puerto Rico. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia. Governor of Rhode Island. Daniel McKee. Governor of South Carolina. Henry McMaster. Governor of South Dakota. Kristi L. Governor of Tennessee. Bill Lee. Governor of Texas. Greg Abbott. Governor of Utah. Spencer Cox. Governor of Vermont. Phil Scott. Governor of Virginia. Ralph Northam. Governor of Washington. Jay Inslee. Table 2 lists the states in which gubernatorial candidates select their running mate.

This means that within the same party, the party-endorsed candidate for lieutenant governor could face a primary, even if the party-endorsed candidate for governor does not. In the absence of a primary, party-endorsed candidates become the nominees.

Table 3 lists the states with separate primaries. State Party Convention. In four states, major political parties nominate candidates for lieutenant governor, among other offices, at a state convention following the primary.

In practice, the gubernatorial candidate often makes the decision beforehand, and the convention delegates officially confirm the nominee. Table 4 lists these states. Indiana Michigan Iowa South Dakota. North Carolina.