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Governorships

A Review of Gubernatorial Elections without Two Major Party Candidates

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | February 24, 2026 | 0
Georgia Republican Party logo

More than 95 percent of gubernatorial elections since 1900 have had two major party candidates on the ballot including every election in 34 states.

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Jesse Ventura and a Review of Comeback Bids by Minnesota Governors

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | January 14, 2026 | 3
Official portrait of Governor Jesse Ventura

Ex-Minnesota governors have subsequently appeared on a primary or general election gubernatorial ballot 10 times since statehood.

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Governor Klobuchar? A Review of Minnesotans Who Served in Multiple Elected Statewide Offices

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | January 7, 2026 | 5
Photo of Minnesota U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar

More than three-dozen Minnesotans have served in at least two of the 13 offices that have been on a statewide ballot since 1857.

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Herbster vs. Pillen and a Review of Nebraska Gubernatorial Primary Rematches

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | December 3, 2025 | 0
Official seal of the State of Nebraska

The one and only successful primary rematch out of 13 attempts took place 115 years ago.

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Demuth, Robbins, and the Thin History of Women Running for Minnesota’s GOP Gubernatorial Nomination

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | November 4, 2025 | 5
Photo of Minnesota State Rep. Lisa Demuth

The 2026 field has the most electoral experience among Republican women of any cycle in state history.

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A History of Retread Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidates

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | October 28, 2025 | 0
Photograph of Wisconsin Governor Patrick Lucey

At least three former losing major party candidates could be on the primary ballot in 2026.

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Vic Kaplan and a Review of Libertarian Gubernatorial Nominees

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | October 21, 2025 | 0
Photo of Vic Kaplan

The vote share for Libertarian candidates for governor is at an all-time high so far this decade – up 55 percent from the 2000s.

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Wisconsin Democrats Flirting with Record Gubernatorial Candidacies in 2026

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | October 1, 2025 | 1
Wisconsin Democratic Party logo

Only once out of 140 gubernatorial primaries has a Badger State political party placed more than six candidates on the ballot.

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Tom Tiffany and a Review of Wisconsin US Representatives Running for Governor

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | September 23, 2025 | 0
Photo of Wisconsin U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany

The Wisconsin congressman is poised to launch a bid to become the first sitting U.S. House member to win the governorship in state history.

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Tim Walz and a Review of Gubernatorial 4-Year Term Three-Peats

By Dr. Eric Ostermeier | September 17, 2025 | 4
Photo of Minnesota U.S. Representative Tim Walz

Twenty-three of the last 28 gubernatorial bids for a third consecutive four-year term have been successful since 1970.

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Minnesota Historical Election Archive

Explore over 160 years of election results in Minnesota

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