Governors by party
Peak in past 100 yearsIn 1922, the country had the highest percentage of Republican governors at 69 percent.In 1938, Democrats had their highest tally, 81 percent.
Current party of governor
States with electionsElections will be held this year in 26 of the 33 states with Republican governors, nine of the 16 states with Democratic governors, and the one state (Alaska) with an independent governor.
Election forecast
The most recent projection by Fivethirtyeight.com shows the Democrats are likely to win Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Maine and New Mexico, and five states are too close to call. Republicans are likely to win Alaska.
Shaded states have races with less than 2 percentage points difference between the candidates (Wisconsin, Nevada, Ohio and Georgia).
In Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams is in a tight race with Republican Brian Kemp. If Abrams wins, she will become the first female black governor in the U.S.
Most expensive race on recordDuring the 2010 gubernatorial race in California, candidates spent about $280 million. Former Gov. Jerry Brown defeated Hewlett Packard ex-CEO Meg Whitman.
Most expensive race in 2018In Illinois, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic businessman J.B. Pritzker have combined to spend more than $120 million out of their own pockets. Additional spending by their party and PACs could make it the most expensive gubernatorial race in U.S. history.
If Illinois, Florida and Wisconsin elect Democrats, 59 percent of the population will be led by Democratic governors and 41 percent will be led by Republican governors.
California governors
Sources: California Governors Gallery, California Department of General Services, U.S. Census Bureau, The Associated Press, Center on the American Governor at Rutgers University
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