2004 United States gubernatorial elections

none January 2025 related races 2004 United States elections 2004 United States gubernatorial elections United States legislative no 2003 United States gubernatorial elections 2003 2005 United States gubernatorial elections 2005 2000 United States gubernatorial elections 2000 2008 United States gubernatorial elections 2008 13 governorships11 states; 2 territories November 2, 2004 Seats up Seats won Republican Party (United States) 28 28 7,438,550 48.85% 5 5 Democratic Party (United States) 22 22 7,534,041 49.48% 6 6 320px Map of the results#F48984 Republican hold #CB001A Republican gain#94C6DF Democratic hold #0272B1 Democratic gain#FF80C0 Popular Democratic hold #999999 Nonpartisan#D0D0D0 No election United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 2, 2004, in 11 states and two territories. There was no net gain in seats for either party, as Democrats picked up an open seat in Montana while defeating incumbent Craig Benson in New Hampshire, while Republicans defeated incumbent Joe Kernan in Indiana and won Missouri after Bob Holden lost in the primary. These elections coincided with the presidential election. As of , this is the last time that multiple state governors lost renomination. Election predictions State Incumbent Lastrace SabatoNovember 3,2008THE LAST LAST WORD The Crystal Ball's Final Projections for the 2008 Election https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/ljs2008110301/ Sabato's Crystal Ball 3 November 2008 December 25, 2021 Result Delaware Ruth Ann Minner 59.24% D |Likely D Minner 50.87% D Indiana Joe Kernan 56.56% D |Likely R flip Daniels53.21% R (flip) Missouri Bob Holden (lost renomination) 49.12% D |Lean R flip Blunt50.83% R (flip) Montana Judy Martz (retired) 50.98% R |Lean D flip Schweitzer 50.44% D (flip) New Hampshire Craig Benson 58.62% R |Lean R Lynch 51.07% D (flip) North Carolina Mike Easley 52.02% D |Likely D Easley55.62% D North Dakota John Hoeven 55.03% R |Safe R Hoeven 71.26% R Utah Olene Walker (retired) 55.77% R |Lean R Huntsman Jr. 57.74% R Vermont Jim Douglas 44.94% R |Likely R Douglas 58.70% R Washington Gary Locke (retired) 58.38% D |Lean R flip Gregoire 48.87% D West Virginia Bob Wise (retired) 50.12% D |Safe D Manchin 63.51% D Race summary States State Incumbent Party Firstelected Result Candidates Delaware Ruth Ann Minner Democratic 2000 Incumbent re-elected. Democratic Party (US) Ruth Ann Minner (Democratic) 50.9% Republican Party (US)Bill Lee (Republican) 45.8% Independent (US)Frank Infante (Independent) 2.9% Indiana Joe Kernan Democratic 2003Kernan took office after his predecessor (Frank O'Bannon) died. Incumbent lost election to full term.New governor elected.Republican gain. Republican Party (US) Mitch Daniels (Republican) 53.2% Democratic Party (US)Joe Kernan (Democratic) 45.5% Libertarian Party (US)Kenn Gividen (Libertarian) 1.3% Missouri Bob Holden Democratic 2000 Incumbent lost re-nomination.New governor elected.Republican gain. Republican Party (US) Matt Blunt (Republican) 50.8% Democratic Party (US)Claire McCaskill (Democratic) 47.8% Montana Judy Martz Republican 2000 Incumbent retired.New governor elected.Democratic gain. Democratic Party (US) Brian Schweitzer (Democratic) 50.4% Republican Party (US)Bob Brown (Republican) 46.0% Green Party (US)Bob Kelleher (Green) 1.9% Libertarian Party (US)Stan Jones (Libertarian) 1.7% New Hampshire Craig Benson Republican 2002 Incumbent lost re-election.New governor elected.Democratic gain. Democratic Party (US) John Lynch (Democratic) 51.0% Republican Party (US)Craig Benson (Republican) 48.9% North Carolina Mike Easley Democratic 2000 Incumbent re-elected. Democratic Party (US) Mike Easley (Democratic) 55.6% Republican Party (US)Patrick J. Ballantine (Republican) 42.9% Libertarian Party (US)Barbara Howe (Libertarian) 1.5% North Dakota John Hoeven Republican 2000 Incumbent re-elected. Republican Party (US) John Hoeven (Republican) 71.3% North Dakota Democratic-NPLJoe Satrom (Democratic) 27.4% Libertarian Party (US)Roland Riemers (Libertarian) 1.3% Utah Olene Walker Republican 2003Walker took office after her predecessor (Mike Leavitt) resigned. Incumbent lost nomination to full term.New governor elected.Republican hold. Republican Party (US) Jon Huntsman Jr. (Republican) 57.7% Democratic Party (US)Scott Matheson Jr. (Democratic) 41.3% Vermont Jim Douglas Republican 2002 Incumbent re-elected. Republican Party (US) Jim Douglas (Republican) 58.7% Democratic Party (US)Peter Clavelle (Democratic) 37.9% Marijuana Party (US)Cris Ericson (Marijuana) 1.4% Washington Gary Locke Democratic 1996 Incumbent retired.New governor elected.Democratic hold. Democratic Party (US) Christine Gregoire (Democratic) 48.9% Republican Party (US)Dino Rossi (Republican) 48.9% Libertarian Party (US)Ruth Bennett (Libertarian) 2.3% West Virginia Bob Wise Democratic 2000 Incumbent retired.New governor elected.Democratic hold. Democratic Party (US) Joe Manchin (Democratic) 63.5% Republican Party (US)Monty Warner (Republican) 34.0% Mountain PartyJesse Johnson (Mountain) 2.5% Territories Territory Incumbent Party Firstelected Result Candidates American Samoa Togiola Tulafono Democratic 2003Tulafono took office after his predecessor (Tauese Sunia) died. Incumbent elected to full term. Democratic Party (US) Togiola Tulafono (Democratic) 55.7% Independent (US)Afoa L.S. Lutu (Independent) 44.3% Puerto Rico Sila Calderón Popular Democratic 2000 Incumbent retired.New governor elected.Popular Democratic hold. Popular Democratic Party (Puerto Rico) Aníbal Acevedo Vilá (PPD) 48.4% New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico)Pedro Rosselló (PNP) 48.2% Puerto Rican Independence PartyRubén Berríos (PIP) 2.7% Closest races States where the margin of victory was under 1%: Washington, 0.005% Puerto Rico, 0.2% States where the margin of victory was under 5%: New Hampshire, 2.1% Missouri, 3.0% Montana, 4.4% States where the margin of victory was under 10%: Delaware, 5.1% Indiana, 7.7% Delaware 2004 Delaware gubernatorial election 2004 Delaware gubernatorial election Delaware presidential no 2000 Delaware gubernatorial election 2000 2008 Delaware gubernatorial election 2008 November 2, 2004 125px Ruth Ann Minner Democratic Party (United States) 185,548 50.9% 125px Bill Lee Republican Party (United States) 167,008 45.8% 2004 Delaware gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 210px County results Minner: #7996e2 50–60% Lee: #e27f7f 50–60% Governor Ruth Ann Minner Democratic Party (United States) Ruth Ann Minner Democratic Party (United States) The 2004 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2004, coinciding with the U.S. presidential election. Incumbent governor Ruth Ann Minner faced a serious challenge from retired Superior Court Judge Bill Lee, but managed a five-point victory on election day. 2022, this was the last time Kent County voted for the Republican candidate in a gubernatorial election or that the statewide margin was within single digits. Indiana 2004 Indiana gubernatorial election 2004 Indiana gubernatorial election Indiana presidential no 2000 Indiana gubernatorial election 2000 2008 Indiana gubernatorial election 2008 November 2, 2004 x150px Mitch Daniels Republican Party (United States) Becky Skillman 1,302,912 53.2% x150px Joe Kernan Democratic Party (United States) Kathy Davis 1,113,900 45.5% 2004 Indiana gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 250px County resultsDaniels: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%Kernan: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70%Tie: #cdafdcff 40–50% Governor Joe Kernan Democratic Party (United States) Mitch Daniels Republican Party (United States) The 2004 Indiana gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2004, to elect the governor of Indiana. Incumbent Democratic governor Joe Kernan was defeated by Republican Mitch Daniels. Daniels' victory was the first time the Republican Party had been elected governor since 1984, and gave the party control of all the important statewide offices. http://www2.indystar.com/articles/3/192728-8493-168.html Republicans to stand alone at state's helm 2008-02-21 2004-11-07 The Indianapolis Star https://web.archive.org/web/20071110004107/http://www2.indystar.com/articles/3/192728-8493-168.html 2007-11-10 dead It was also the first time an incumbent governor had been defeated since the Constitution of Indiana was amended in 1972 to permit governors to serve two consecutive terms. http://www2.indystar.com/articles/1/191537-2331-009.html Daniels vows changes to government, economy after ending Democratic rule 2008-02-21 2004-11-03 The Indianapolis Star https://web.archive.org/web/20110605065733/http://www2.indystar.com/articles/1/191537-2331-009.html 2011-06-05 dead Missouri 2004 Missouri gubernatorial election 2004 Missouri gubernatorial election Missouri presidential no 2000 Missouri gubernatorial election 2000 2008 Missouri gubernatorial election 2008 November 2, 2004 x150px Matt Blunt Republican Party (United States) 1,382,419 50.8% x150px Claire McCaskill Democratic Party (United States) 1,301,442 47.9% 2004 Missouri gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 270px County results Blunt: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%McCaskill: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% Governor Bob Holden Democratic Party (United States) Matt Blunt Republican Party (United States) The 2004 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2004 for the post of Governor of Missouri. The Republican nominee, Missouri Secretary of State Matt Blunt, defeated Democratic State Auditor Claire McCaskill. This gave the Republican Party control of both the governorship and the Missouri General Assembly for the first time in 80 years. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A24024-2004Nov3?language=printer The Midwest 2008-02-24 2004-11-04 The Washington Post September 2022 InternetArchiveBot yes August 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes McCaskill had earlier defeated incumbent Governor Bob Holden in the Democratic primary. This was the first time a sitting governor of Missouri had been defeated in a primary and the first time any United States governor had lost in a primary since the 1994 elections. https://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2004/2004-11-03-mo-gov-blunt_x.htm Blunt wins Missouri governor's race 2008-02-24 2004-11-03 USA Today Coincidentally, McCaskill's mother, Betty Anne, had previously been defeated by Blunt's grandfather, Leroy Blunt, in a 1978 General Assembly election. Blunt's father, Roy Blunt, was a congressman and served with McCaskill in the U.S. Senate from 2011 to 2019. Montana 2004 Montana gubernatorial election 2004 Montana gubernatorial election Montana presidential no 2000 Montana gubernatorial election 2000 2008 Montana gubernatorial election 2008 November 2, 2004 x150px Brian Schweitzer Democratic Party (United States) John Bohlinger 225,016 50.4% x120px Bob Brown Republican Party (United States) Dave Lewis 205,313 46.0% 2004 Montana gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 300px County resultsSchweitzer: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% Brown: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% Governor Judy Martz Republican Party (United States) Brian Schweitzer Democratic Party (United States) 71.4%11.5https://sosmt.gov/elections/voter-turnout/ Montana Voter Turnout Montana Secretary of State February 22, 2018 2022-05-26 The 2004 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2004 for the post of Governor of Montana. Democrat Brian Schweitzer defeated Montana Secretary of State and Republican nominee Bob Brown with 50.4% of the vote against 46%. Schweitzer formed a ticket with a Republican running mate, choosing state legislator John Bohlinger for the lieutenant governorship. New Hampshire 2004 New Hampshire gubernatorial election 2004 New Hampshire gubernatorial election New Hampshire presidential no 2002 New Hampshire gubernatorial election 2002 2006 New Hampshire gubernatorial election 2006 November 2, 2004 155x155px John Lynch Democratic Party (United States) 340,299 51.0% 155x155px Craig Benson Republican Party (United States) 325,981 48.9% x245px County results x245px Municipality results Lynch: #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #584CDE 70–80% #0d056c >90%Benson: #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #c21b18 80–90% #a80000 >90% Governor Craig Benson Republican Party (United States) John Lynch Democratic Party (United States) The 2004 New Hampshire gubernatorial election occurred on November 2, 2004, concurrent with that year's presidential election. Democrat John Lynch, a multimillionaire businessman from Hopkinton, narrowly defeated incumbent Republican governor Craig Benson of Rye, winning a two-year term. Benson was the first New Hampshire governor in 80 years to lose reelection after one term. Lynch was sworn in on January 6, 2005. To date, Benson is the most recent incumbent governor to lose reelection in any New England state. North Carolina 2004 North Carolina gubernatorial election 2004 North Carolina gubernatorial election North Carolina presidential no 2000 North Carolina gubernatorial election 2000 2008 North Carolina gubernatorial election 2008 November 2, 2004 x145px Mike Easley Democratic Party (United States) 1,939,154 55.6% x145px Patrick Ballantine Republican Party (United States) 1,495,021 42.9% 325px County results 325px Precinct results 1 325px Easley: #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% #0D0596 >90%Ballantine: #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90%Tie: #d2b1d9 40–50% Governor Mike Easley Democratic Party (United States) Mike Easley Democratic Party (United States) The 2004 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2004. The general election was between the Democratic incumbent Mike Easley and the Republican nominee Patrick J. Ballantine. Easley won by 56% to 43%, winning his second term as governor. This is the last time a Democrat was elected governor of North Carolina by double digits. North Dakota 2004 North Dakota gubernatorial election 2004 North Dakota gubernatorial election North Dakota presidential no 2000 North Dakota gubernatorial election 2000 2008 North Dakota gubernatorial election 2008 November 2, 2004 x150px John Hoeven Republican Party (United States) Jack Dalrymple 220,803 71.3% x120px Joe Satrom North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party Deb Mathern 84,877 27.4% Governor John Hoeven Republican Party (United States) John Hoeven Republican Party (United States) 2004 North Dakota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg County resultsHoeven: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% #c21b18 80–90% Satrom: #7996e2 50–60% 250px The 2004 North Dakota gubernatorial election took place on 2 November 2004 for the post of Governor of North Dakota. Incumbent Republican governor John Hoeven was easily re-elected defeating Democratic-NPL former state senator Joe Satrom. Utah 2004 Utah gubernatorial election 2004 Utah gubernatorial election Utah presidential no 2000 Utah gubernatorial election 2000 2008 Utah gubernatorial election 2008 November 2, 2004 1922 x160px Jon Huntsman Jr. Republican Party (United States) Gary Herbert 531,190 57.7% x160px Scott Matheson Jr. Democratic Party (United States) Karen Hale 380,359 41.4% 2004 Utah gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 220px County resultsHuntsman: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%Matheson: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% Governor Olene Walker Republican Party (United States) Jon Huntsman, Jr. Republican Party (United States) The 2004 Utah gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2004. The incumbent governor was Republican Olene S. Walker, who had become governor following Mike Leavitt's resignation to join the George W. Bush administration. However, Walker placed fourth in the Republican primary, far behind Jon Huntsman Jr. Huntsman won the nomination and went on to win the general election, carrying 25 of the 29 counties and winning 57.7% of the overall vote. This was the last time that a Democratic nominee for any statewide office has received forty percent or more of the popular vote, and the most recent election in which a Democratic nominee carried more than three counties in the state. Vermont 2004 Vermont gubernatorial election 2004 Vermont gubernatorial election Vermont presidential no 2002 Vermont gubernatorial election 2002 2006 Vermont gubernatorial election 2006 November 2, 2004 x150px Jim Douglas Vermont Republican Party 181,540 58.7% x150px Peter Clavelle Vermont Democratic Party 117,327 37.9% x210px County results x210px Municipality results Douglas: #FFB2B2 40-50% #E27F7F 50-60% #D75D5D 60-70% #D72F30 70-80% #c21b18 80-90%Clavelle: #A5B0FF 40-50% #7996E2 50-60% #6674de 60-70% #584cde 70-80%Tie: #ae8bb1 50-60% Governor Jim Douglas Vermont Republican Party Jim Douglas Vermont Republican Party The 2004 Vermont gubernatorial election took place November 2, 2004 for the post of Governor of Vermont. Incumbent Republican governor Jim Douglas was re-elected. Douglas defeated Peter Clavelle, the Progressive Mayor of Burlington, who ran as a Democrat. Washington 2004 Washington gubernatorial election 2004 Washington gubernatorial election Washington presidential no 2000 Washington gubernatorial election 2000 2008 Washington gubernatorial election 2008 November 2, 2004 x150px Christine Gregoire Democratic Party (United States) 1,373,361 48.873% x150px Dino Rossi Republican Party (United States) 1,373,228 48.868% 2004 Washington gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 275px County resultsGregoire: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% Rossi: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Governor Gary Locke Democratic Party (United States) Christine Gregoire Democratic Party (United States) The 2004 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2004. The race gained national attention for its legal twists and extremely close finish, among the closest political races in United States election history. Republican Dino Rossi was declared the winner in the initial automated count and again in a subsequent automated recount, but after a second recount done by hand, Democrat Christine Gregoire took the lead by a margin of 129 votes. Although Gregoire was sworn in as governor of Washington on January 12, 2005, Rossi did not formally concede and called for a re-vote over concerns about the integrity of the election. The Republican Party filed a lawsuit in Chelan County Superior Court contesting the election, but the trial judge ruled against it, citing lack of evidence of deliberate electoral sabotage.Borders et al. v. King County et al. SeattleWeekly.com http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/0523/050608_news_electiondecision.php June 23, 2006 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060525071425/http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/0523/050608_news_electiondecision.php May 25, 2006 Rossi chose not to appeal to the Washington State Supreme Court, formally conceding the election on June 6, 2005. West Virginia 2004 West Virginia gubernatorial election 2004 West Virginia gubernatorial election West Virginia presidential no 2000 West Virginia gubernatorial election 2000 2008 West Virginia gubernatorial election 2008 November 2, 2004 125px Joe Manchin Democratic Party (United States) 472,758 63.5% 125px Monty Warner Republican Party (United States) 253,131 34.0% 2004 West Virginia gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 250px County resultsManchin: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90%Warner: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% Governor Bob Wise Democratic Party (United States) Joe Manchin Democratic Party (United States) The 2004 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2004 for the post of Governor of West Virginia. Democratic Secretary of State of West Virginia Joe Manchin defeated Republican Monty Warner. Manchin won all but three counties. Despite Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry losing the state to George W. Bush by double digits in the concurrent presidential election, Manchin won by nearly 30 points. Territories American Samoa 2004 American Samoan general election 2004 American Samoan general election American Samoa presidential no 2000 American Samoan general election 2000 2008 American Samoan general election 2008 Togiola Tulafono official.jpg Togiola Tulafono Democratic Party (United States) 48.4% 6,407 (55.72%) 3x4.svg Afoa Moega Lutu Independent politician 39.4% 5,091 (44.28%) 3x4.svg Alo Paul Stevenson Independent politician 12.2% First round Second round Puerto Rico 2004 Puerto Rican general election Puerto Rico 2000 Puerto Rican general election 2000 2008 Puerto Rican general election 2008 2 November 2004 yes Gubernatorial election presidential 81.22% (1.00pp) Anibal_Acevedo_Vila.jpg Aníbal Acevedo Vilá Popular Democratic Party (Puerto Rico) Democratic Party (United States) 963,303 48.39% Dr_Pedro_Rosello.jpg Pedro Rosselló New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico) Democratic Party (United States) 959,737 48.21% Puerto Rico Governor 2004.svg Results by municipalityAcevedo Vilá: #ffb2b2 40-50% #e27f7f 50-60% Rosselló: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60-70% Governor Sila María Calderón Popular Democratic Party (Puerto Rico) Aníbal Acevedo Vilá Popular Democratic Party (Puerto Rico) See also 2004 United States elections 2004 United States presidential election 2004 United States Senate elections 2004 United States House of Representatives elections Notes References