We’re watching several statewide races with implications for women’s representation and Democratic control. You can track US House primaries and general election races via our partner, WomenCount.
Here’s what to keep an eye on this year in the primaries and beyond:
Last updated September 11
DE-Governor, Solid D, Open: Lieutenant Gov. Bethany Hall-Long was the early frontrunner, though concerns over how her previous campaigns handled their finances gave a boost to her main primary opponent, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, who ultimately came out on top.
DE-Lieutenant Governor, Solid D, Open: The First State elects its governors and lieutenant governors separately. State Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker unfortunately lost her bid to become Delaware’s second in command, meaning this seat will be a loss for women. The nominee is state Sen. Kyle Evans Gay. Sherry was endorsed by our partner, Elect Black Women PAC.
IN-Governor, Likely R, Open: Former Superintendent of Public Education Jennifer McCormick is a long-shot to flip this seat, but with abortion rights and education forming the center planks of her candidacy—and unpopular Sen. Mike Braun the Republican nominee—the race could get interesting.
MI-Supreme Court, Toss-Up, Incumbent: Justice Kyra Harris Bolden is the most junior justice, being recently appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to fill a vacancy. Now, she’s running to fill the seat in her own right. With the bench split 4-3 in favor of the liberal wing, her win will be incredibly important in deciding the Court’s future trajectory. She is the first Black woman to sit on the state’s highest court.
MO-Governor, Likely R, Open: House Minority Leader Rep. Crystal Quade is hoping to make this race close against current Lieutenant Gov. Mike Kehoe, though Democrats face an uphill battle in the Show Me State.
NC-Lieutenant Governor, Lean D, Open: The Tarheel State elects its governors and lieutenant governors separately. State Sen. Rachel Hunt won the nomination on Super Tuesday with 70 percent of the vote. She currently represents District 42 and is the daughter of former Gov. Jim Hunt. The current (Republican) lieutenant governor is running for governor and popular Attorney General Josh Stein will lead the ticket as the Democratic gubernatorial nominee.
NC-Supreme Court, Tossup, Incumbent: Judges in North Carolina are chosen through partisan elections, a system that has led to a 5-2 majority for Republicans. Last year, Gov. Roy Cooper appointed Allison Riggs to fill an open seat, but this year she will need to win it outright. She clenched the primary on Super Tuesday with nearly 70 percent of the vote.
NH-Governor, Tossup, Open: Popular Republican Gov. Chris Sununu declined to seek re-election, leaving an opening for Democrats to flip this office. Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig is the official Democratic nominee, meaning this would be a pickup for women as well. Cook now rates this as the closest gubernatorial contest of the cycle.
PA-Attorney General, Tossup, Open: Keir Bradford-Grey, Philadelphia’s Chief Public Defender and the only woman running in this race, unfortunately lost to former Auditor General and District 95 Rep. Eugene DePasquale.
VT-Governor, Likely R, Challenger: Esther Charlestin is the Democratic nominee to challenger incumbent Republican Gov. Phil Scott. She is an educator and former selectboard member from Middlebury.