Welcome to a special edition of the EWA Insider focused almost exclusively on women running for governor, both incumbents and non-incumbents, in 2022.
We’ve named this year the ‘Year of the Woman (Governor),’ because so many seats involving women are in play.
There are only six incumbent Democratic women governors in the entire country – that’s 12 percent. Of those, one (Kate Brown in Oregon) is termed out, and the other five are all up for re-election. Of those five, four have competitive races.
Consider this: There will be no Democratic women governors running for re-election in 2024. None.
Meanwhile, in Arizona, Georgia and Massachusetts—three of the most-flippable Republican-held seats—women are poised to be the Democratic nominee. In two safe Democratic states, Oregon and Rhode Island, women are competing in tough primaries.
With key legislation stalled in Washington, particularly related to voting rights, the role of governors becomes ever more important. It is urgent that we support these women candidates now.
Here’s a rundown of the candidates, their challengers and the state of the races.
Incumbents:
Kansas:
Gov. Laura Kelly Laura is the incumbent in the most challenging race this year. Polling has her in a dead heat with her likely Republican challenger, state Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Cook Political Report rates this race a toss-up. She’s raised $2.9 million so far this cycle, outraising Schmidt by $1.2 million.
Maine:
Gov. Janet Mills Janet’s opponent will be reviled ex-Gov. Paul LePage (Maine adopted ranked-choice voting to keep him from winning another plurality in 2018). Polls show Mills leading by more than the margin of error and Cook rates this race lean-D. Mills has raised double what LePage has with a $1.6 million fundraising haul this election.
Michigan:
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Gretchen is the second most-endangered incumbent on our list. The Republican primary field is crowded, but the frontrunner is former Democrat and Detroit Police Chief James Craig. A recent poll has them in a very tight race in the general, and Cook rates this race a toss-up. Michigan hasn’t reported the gubernatorial fundraising numbers yet.
New Mexico:
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Michelle is safer than some of her colleagues. The Republican primary is crowded and no credible frontrunner has emerged. There’s been little polling, and Cook rates this race likely-D. Michelle has raised $6.7 million compared to the $4.5 million her Republican challengers have raised in total.
New York:
Gov. Kathy Hochul Kathy sits in the safest seat on this list. All of her potential Republican challengers are down by double-digits against her, and Cook rates this race safe D. New York’s unique election laws mean a progressive will run on the Working Families Party line in November, taking away reliably Democratic votes. Kathy has raised $23.7 million so far for her re-election campaign.
Non-Incumbents, R flip:
Arizona:
Katie Hobbs Katie, the current Arizona Secretary of State, is neck-and-neck with her possible general election challengers. The leading Republican, former Fox News television anchor Kari Lake, is an election denier and has baselessly accused Katie of election crimes. Cook rates this race a toss-up. Arizona hasn’t reported gubernatorial fundraising numbers yet.
Florida:
Nikki Fried, Annette Taddeo Nikki, the current Agriculture Commissioner, and Annette, a current State Senator and former Lieutenant Gov. nominee, are both trailing in the primary, which is being dominated by Rep. Charlie Crist. Cook rates this race likely R. The women in the race are being outraised 3 to 1 by their Democratic male counterpart in the primary. Gov. Ron DeSantis has over $100 million cash on hand but his recent culture war fights may backfire.
Georgia:
Stacey Abrams Stacey has no primary opponent. In the general though, she’s slightly down in the polls against incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp, and neck-and-neck with former Sen. David Perdue. The primary is May 24. Cook rates this race a toss-up. Stacy hasn’t reported her latest fundraising numbers yet.
Iowa:
Deidre DeJear Deidre is uncontested in the primary but down 8 points against incumbent Gov. Kim Reynolds, who is deeply unpopular in the state. Cook rates this race solid R. No new fundraising reporting from Iowa.
Massachusetts:
Maura Healey Maura, the current state Attorney General, is the clear frontrunner in the primary and general election. Potential Republican replacements for retiring Gov. Charlie Baker are mostly Trumpists who have lost previous statewide elections. Cook rates this race likely D. Maura has raised $2.7 million, according to her last filing.
Ohio:
Nan Whaley Nan, the former Mayor of Dayton, faces a May 3 primary with former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley. Both are down against incumbent Gov. Mike DeWine, who has raised over $12.6 million. Nan has outraised Cranley with $2.9 million so far this election. Cook rates this race likely R.
Non-Incumbents, D hold:
Oregon:
Tina Kotek Tina is the former Oregon House Speaker. Her biggest opponent in this race is primary challenger Tobias Read, the current State Treasurer. The primary is May 17. The general election will also feature a former Democrat-turned-independent state representative, who has a substantial fundraising base. Cook rates this race likely D. Tina leads in primary fundraising with $1.3 million according to her last filing and her fundraising is comparable to Republican minority leader of the Oregon house, Christine Drazan.
Rhode Island:
Nellie Gorbea, Helena Foulkes Nellie is the current Secretary of State and Helena is a former CVS executive and niece of former Sen. Chris Dodd. Both women are running in a September primary against sitting Gov. Dan McKee, who took office when Gina Raimondo resigned to join the Biden administration. Polling for the primary is mixed, and Cook rates the general as likely D. Rhode Island has not reported fundraising numbers.
Why are these races so important?
- Governors can protect our elections in 2024: One way Republicans could steal the next presidential election is for a Republican governor to submit a fake slate of electors that are then counted by a Republican-controlled House of Representatives. That can’t happen if Democrats are in charge.
- Governors stand between us and the worst GOP legislation: Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly recently vetoed two anti-LGBTQ bills, one that would discriminate against transgender athletes and another that would ban LGBTQ-related classroom materials. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is suing to strike down the state’s defunct abortion ban in case we lose Roe at the Supreme Court level.
- The number of female Democratic governors is shrinking: In 2020, Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo was chosen by the Biden Administration to be Secretary of Commerce. A man took her place. This year, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is term-limited, and the lone woman in the race is not a shoo-in.
- Women candidates in governor’s races have historically depended on women donors to raise funds for their campaigns: In 2020, Democratic women candidates received a disproportionate amount of their funds from women donors, making the relationship between women candidates and women donors all the more valuable and crucial.
Upcoming Event: EWA Hosts All 5 Incumbent Women Governors
The Electing Women Alliance invites you to a virtual event in support of the 5 incumbent Democratic women governors running for re-election this cycle.
- Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico
- Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York
- Gov. Laura Kelly, Kansas
- Gov. Janet Mills, Maine
- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan
June 7th, 2022 at 8 p.m. ET. Zoom link will be provided upon RSVP
In the News
Governor Election Polls [Real Clear Politics]
Democratic governors are faring better than Biden — and that matters for November
The Six States That Could Determine Whether Republicans Steal the 2024 Election
Opinion: With democracy under attack, Democrats see a firewall in states
Opinion: Democratic governors look for ways to protect abortion rights
Whitmer asks state Supreme Court to strike down Michigan’s 91-year-old abortion ban
Whitmer kidnap plot: 2 men acquitted, hung jury for 2 more
Kansas governor vetoes transgender sports ban, parental bill of rights
Back To Brownback [Ad – Laura Kelly]
Hochul faces tough choices after Lt. Gov. Benjamin’s arrest and resignation in New York
Hard At Work [Ad – Kathy Hochul]
Maine among states seeking to ease inflation with direct payments
Harris will officiate New Mexico governor’s wedding next month
Gubernatorial hopeful AG Maura Healey unveils first policy agenda, tackling climate change
The haves & have nots become clear in Arizona governor, secretary of state races
Judge denies Abrams’ bid to seek unlimited contributions in Georgia governor’s race
A conversation with Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Nan Whaley
Top Florida Democrat sues Biden administration over marijuana and guns
Tina Kotek has been dominant in Oregon politics for the last decade. That might be a problem.
Tina Kotek Is Accomplished—and Struggles to Gain Traction With Some Democrats. Why?
First on CNN: Republican operatives launch new group to elect GOP female governors
In Other News
US Senate
Here are five takeaways from the latest 2022 fundraising reports
Sen. Hassan posts record-breaking fundraising haul for first quarter
GOP hopefuls gain edge on Cortez Masto, Sisolak as voters’ mood over economy sinks
Cortez Masto pulls in record $4.4 million in 2022 first quarter fundraising
Computer Chips [Ad – Catherine Cortez Masto]
Cheri Beasley launches first TV ad of North Carolina Senate race
Beasley makes largest quarterly fundraising in Senate bid
Demings raises $10M for Florida Senate bid
Mike Franken outraises Abby Finkenauer as Democratic primary for US Senate gains traction
Abby Finkenauer allowed on Democratic Senate primary ballot by Iowa Supreme Court
Elizabeth Warren: Democrats Can Avoid Disaster in November
Colleagues worry Dianne Feinstein is now mentally unfit to serve, citing recent interactions
US House
Abbott calls June 14 special election for South Texas congressional seat
Trump endorses Sarah Palin for Congress
President Joe Biden praises Cindy Axne in Iowa: ‘You’re doing one heck of a job’
‘A slap in the face’: House Dems’ super PAC sparks Latino backlash
Stand Together [Ad – Carolyn Bourdeaux]
Nothing More American [Ad – Lucy McBath]
EMILY’s List poll: Progressive candidate opens big lead in Pennsylvania House primary
State & Local
More women are running for statewide offices than ever before
Democratic Voters Aren’t Behaving as if They Think Ken Paxton Is Vulnerable
Suffolk Poll Shows Nevada Voters Signaling Shift to GOP
N.Y. AG seeks to hold Donald Trump in civil contempt
Florida’s continued move from battleground to red
Fighting Trump, Dems launch plan to elect thousands of local election supervisors
Ohio to begin early voting for May primary election without state legislative races
Kounalakis becomes first woman to sign a bill into California law
National
Misogyny’s Gatekeeping Role at Judge Jackson’s Supreme Court Nomination Hearings
From judge to justice in 6 weeks: How Schumer got Jackson confirmed
With the 2022 midterms ahead, expect another Latino misinformation crisis
Vice President Kamala Harris offers union support in Philadelphia visit
Kamala Harris keeps traveling to unconventional places. Here’s why.
Women
Why retiring from politics is more complicated for women
House Approves Ruth Bader Ginsburg And Sandra Day O’Connor Statues At U.S. Capitol
Young women are out-earning young men in several U.S. cities
Women Voters 50+ Will Decide the Balance of Power in the 2022 Midterms
The gender gap in American politics is only getting bigger
What We Know About the Women Who Vote for Republicans and the Men Who Do Not