MASSACHUSETTS

First black governor

of state elected

Massachusetts Democrat Deval Patrick was declared the winner in his state — he will be the first black governor of the state and the second elected black governor of any state.

Patrick trounced GOP Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey despite her support from outgoing GOP Gov. Mitt Romney, a potential 2008 presidential candidate. The last elected black governor was L. Douglas Wilder of Virginia who left office in 1994.



great lakes

Well-funded candidates fall in two races

Two vulnerable Democratic governors in the Great Lakes beat back well-funded Republican challenges. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, long targeted by the GOP, defeated millionaire Dick DeVos, even though he put more than $35 million of his own money toward his campaign. Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle defeated GOP Rep. Mark Green.



california

Arnold rolls through another four years

In California, the nation’s best-known governor, Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, easily won re-election. The former action star defeated Democrat Phil Angelides, the state treasurer.



TEXAS

Challenger doesn’t defeat Perry

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, won re-election. He fended off challengers including musician and writer Kinky Friedman.



COlorado

Democrat takes control of governor’s office

In Colorado — which voted Republican for president in the last three elections — Democrat Bill Ritter defeated GOP Rep. Bob Beauprez for the seat left open by term-limited GOP Gov. Bill Owens.

Arkansas chose Democrat Mike Beebe over Republican Asa Hutchinson.



INCUMBENTS

Many veteran GOP candidates roll

Republican incumbents won in Alabama, Connecticut, Hawaii, South Carolina, Nebraska, Georgia and South Dakota, as did Democratic governors in New Mexico, Arizona, Kansas, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Wyoming.



Competition surprises some strategists

A few states that strategists expected to stay safely Republican wound up competitive.

In Alaska, Republican Sarah Palin unseated unpopular Gov. Murkowski in the GOP primary and faced Democratic former Gov. Tony Knowles. In Idaho, GOP Rep. C.L. “Butch” Otter was in a close contest with Democrat Jerry Brady, a former newspaper publisher. The contests could break the record for women governors. Eight women governors now hold office, one fewer than the

record.