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Governor Elections

Governor races recap: Arizona, Oregon too close to call; Whitmer, Kemp win reelection

Incumbents in Florida, Texas, Michigan and more overcame challengers to retain the governor's mansion on Election Day. But not every race was settled as the sun rose the next morning.

Arizona's election between Republican Kari Lake and Democrat Katie Hobbs remained too close to call.

The GOP faced unexpected headwinds in flipping the office in conservative Kansas, while Democrats were nervous about their prospects in the race in Oregon, typically a liberal bastion.

Among the highest-profile races: 

  • Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp defeated two-time opponent Democrat Stacey Abrams.
  • In Pennsylvania, Democrat Josh Shapiro defeated Republican Doug Mastriano in the governor's race. 
  • Republican incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis won the race for Florida governor, defeating Democrat Charlie Crist.
  • In Arizona, Donald Trump-backed Republican Kari Lake is the favorite to be the next governor.
  • In Michigan, incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer defeated conservative Republican Tudor Dixon to stay in office.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Here's what to know:

This combination of 2022 and 2021 file photos shows Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, left, and gubernatorial Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams.

Michigan governor: Whitmer wins reelection

Democratic incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer claimed victory in her bid for reelection as Michigan governor, successfully fending off a challenge by Republican nominee Tudor Dixon. 

The contest, once seen as an easy win for Democrats in a major battleground state, tightened in the final weeks with a last-minute push by the Dixon campaign helping her to inch closer in the polls.

Whitmer is a veteran of Michigan politics, serving six years in the state house and eight in the senate before being elected governor in 2018. 

Dixon spent years as a conservative TV commentator and producer of conservative news for students. 

Dixon, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, denies the results of the 2020 election and has criticized Whitmer for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitmer, like many other Democrats, emphasized abortion rights throughout the campaign and criticized Dixon for her no-exceptions stance on the procedure.

– Anna Kaufman

Wisconsin governor: Evers wins reelection

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is projected to win a heated reelection battle against Trump-backed Republican Tim Michels.

A Marquette University Law School poll last week had them tied at 48%-48%.

Evers won, the governor’s office by a thin margin in 2018 when he defeated Republican Scott Walker, a 2016 presidential candidate. Evers had been a school district superintendent and served as the statewide Superintendent of Public Instruction in Wisconsin for nearly a decade.

As governor, Evers’s job approval has been slightly underwater in recent Marquette polls, with 46% approving of the job he’s been doing as governor and 48% disapproving.

Michels is backed by Trump, who has traveled to Wisconsin to campaign for him. The once low-key owner of Wisconsin’s largest construction company, the eponymous Michels Corp, Michels launched his bid for governor in April – about 15 months after Biden revoked a key permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, a project for which Michels’ company had a contract to build pump stations. It’s Michels’ third run for office.

— Donovan Slack

Connecticut governor: Lamont wins second term

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, beat back Republican challenger Robert Stefanowski for a second term as the state’s leader. 

With more than 63% of ballots counted, Lamont led Stefanowski by more than 9 percentage points when the race was called. 

 — Ella Lee

Georgia governor: Kemp reelected

Republican incumbent Brian Kemp won the race for Georgia governor, defeating Democratic candidate and now two-time opponent Stacey Abrams, according to NBC and ABC News.

The two faced off once before back in 2018, with Kemp narrowly claiming victory after a runoff election. This gubernatorial contest has been one of the most closely watched in this midterm cycle as both candidates are major players in their parties.

The tightly fought race, along with Sen. Raphael Warnock’s bid to keep his seat in Congress, was expected to serve as a litmus test of just how strong the Democratic coalition in Georgia is and whether it can withstand an election largely viewed as a referendum on Biden, whose approval ratings have suffered throughout his second year

– Anna Kaufman

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro departs after voting at the Rydal Elementary School West polling location on Tuesday in Rydal, Pa. Shapiro faces Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano in today's midterm general election.

New Mexico governor: Grisham wins reelection

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, won reelection Tuesday over Republican Mark Ronchetti, a local TV weatherman turned politician who built his campaign on criticism of the first-term governor's performance, according to NBC and ABC News. 

Grisham, who served three terms in the U.S. House, was the first Democratic Latina to hold a governor’s seat at the time of her election in 2018. She ran then on a campaign focused on crime, education and immigration policy, but her reelection was centered on economic issues.

After a failed bid for U.S. Senate in 2020, Ronchetti framed his gubernatorial campaign around Grisham's track record, blaming Democrats for a faltering economy and specifically blaming the incumbent's policies for New Mexico’s rank as second in the nation for violent crime. Ronchetti also got a last-minute endorsement this month from Trump, although he did not readily embrace it.

A third candidate, Libertarian Karen Bedonie, a mother of eight and citizen of the Navajo Nation, polled in the single digits throughout the race. She initially hoped to run on the Republican ticket and is among those that have questioned the validity of the 2020  presidential election.

– Laura Bargfeld, Cronkite News

Democrats win in Hawaii Senate, governor’s races

Democrats easily won their races for the U.S. Senate and governorship in Hawaii.

Josh Green overcame Republican challenger Duke Aiona for governor, while Sen. Brian Schatz won reelection for his seat against Republican Bob McDermott.

– Ella Lee

Main governor: reelected

Maine Gov. Janet Mills was reelected to the state’s governorship, beating her Republican opponent, Paul LePage. This will be Mill’s second term as Maine governor, according to NBC and CBS news.

Mills became the first woman elected as the state’s governor in 2018 when she was first elected. She also was the first woman to serve as the state’s attorney general, an office she served twice.

Sarah Elbeshbishi

Minnesota governor: Walz wins reelection

Democrat Gov. Tim Walz won his reelection bid for Minnesota governor. The incumbent beat Republican challenger Scott Jensen.  

Walz will now serve a second term.

– Rachel Looker 

New York governor: Hochul reelected

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul won her reelection bid in the New York governor’s race against Republican challenger Lee Zeldin, NBC and ABC reported.  

Hochul unexpectedly became the state's first female governor in 2021, after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned amid sexual harassment allegations. 

– Rachel Looker 

California governor: Newsom wins reelection 

Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom has been reelected in the California gubernatorial race defeating Republican challenger Brian Dahle. 

Newsom had a large lead over Dahle during the campaign. Newsom, the former Lieutenant Governor of California and former Mayor of San Francisco, will now serve his second term in the governor’s mansion. 

– Rachel Looker 

Idaho governor: Little reelected

Gov. Brad Little won reelection in Idaho’s gubernatorial race against Democrat Stephen Heidt after leading his opponent over 20 percentage points with only 9% of the votes counted.

Little will serve his second term as the state’s governor.

– Sarah Elbeshbishi

Pennsylvania governor: Shapiro wins 

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro bested Trump-backed Republican Doug Mastriano to win the governor’s race in Pennsylvania, according to NBC and Fox news.

Shapiro had been leading Mastriano by significant margins in recent polling. 

Shapiro, the state’s attorney general since 2017, led Mastriano 52%-40% in a USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll last week. He is a former state representative who cast himself as someone willing to take the fight against the status quo. Shapiro defended the state’s presidential election results in 2020 against an onslaught of legal challenges. 

Mastriano, a state senator and retired Army colonel, marched on the U.S. Capitol in the Jan. 6 attack and was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, who visited the state to rally for him. Mastriano supported unfounded claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election and held a hearing featuring Rudy Giuliani and Trump, via call-in, hyping voting irregularities. 

– Donovan Slack

Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke, left, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Texas governor: Abbott wins reelection

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott won reelection, besting former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who had sought to ride what he and other Democrats hoped would be a wave of registered Democratic voters to victory in the long deep-red state, according to multiple reports.

The race drew national attention for O'Rourke, who lost a bid to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018 and made a brief presidential run in 2020. O'Rourke's name recognition and charisma fueled Democratic hopes that he could win the governor's race. 

But as of last week, Abbott was favored to win by nearly 10 points, according to FiveThirtyEight polling averages. And voter registration numbers from the Texas secretary of state’s office showed an increase in voter registrations  – but not the massive wave state Democrats had hoped would follow the state’s abortion ban and the Uvalde school massacre.

– Donovan Slack

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with his wife, Casey, delivers his victory speech Tuesday night at the Tampa Convention Center.

Florida governor: DeSantis wins reelection

Republican incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis won the race for Florida governor, defeating Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist.

DeSantis held onto a double-digit lead in the polls for much of the race. 

During DeSantis' victory speech, some supporters chanted "two more years! Two more years!" Others overrode that with counterchants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" The governor just smiled and did not comment on any plans he may have for 2024.

The contest has been closely watched nonetheless, as DeSantis has built a national profile in what some see as preparation for a bid to secure the GOP nomination for president in 2024.

Crist, a former Republican himself, served as Florida’s governor from 2007 to 2011, re-registering as a Democrat after leaving office. 

– Anna Kaufman, Sarah Elbeshbishi, David Jackson

Wes Moore is Maryland's Democratic nominee for governor.

Maryland elects first Black governor

Democrat Wes Moore wins Maryland’s gubernatorial race against Republican opponent Maryland Del. Dan Cox, making history as Maryland’s first Black governor.

Moore gives the governorship back to the Democrats after two terms of Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.  

– Sarah Elbeshbishi

Biden calls to congratulate Dem winners 

Biden called to congratulate several Democrats who scored victories as races were still being tallied across the country.

Biden made congratulatory calls to incumbents, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. Abigail Spanberger, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee. He also phoned Sen.-elect Peter Welch and Massachusetts Gov.-elect Maura Healey. 

All contests were called by the Associated Press besides Spanberger's toss-up race against Republican Yesli Vega. 

– Christal Hayes

Oklahoma governor: Stitt wins reelection  

Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt was reelected as Oklahoma governor defeating Democrat Joy Hofmeister.  

Stitt will now serve his second term. A former Tulsa businessman, Stitt vowed to run government like a business and has touted controversial policy plans including pushing to expand school vouchers, partially privatizing the state’s Medicaid program and a 15-year, $5 billion turnpike expansion.  

– Rachel Looker 

Nebraska governor: Pillen wins

Republican Jim Pillen won Nebraska’s gubernatorial race against his Democratic challenger Carol Blood.

Pillen will replace current Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, who couldn’t run for reelection due to term limits. Pillen currently serves on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

– Sarah Elbeshbishi

South Dakota governor: Noem reelected

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, will serve a second term as the state’s leader, according to projections by NBC and ABC. 

Noem had received about 62% of the vote with 99%of ballots counted. 

The South Dakota Republican faced a pair of complaints in August, one of which was referred to the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office for investigation. 

The first complaint alleged personal use of the state airplane. The second, which accused Noem of misusing her position as governor to help her daughter through the state real estate appraiser program, was partially dismissed by the Government Accountability Board, because "appropriate action" had been determined. 

– Ella Lee

Vermont governor: Scott wins reelection

Republican Gov. Phil Scott secured a fourth term in Vermont after defeating Democratic challenger Brenda Siegel. 

Scott was elected in 2016 and ran for reelection in 2022 on a platform of reducing taxes and boosting the economy. Though a Republican, Scott has openly criticized Trump and voted for Biden in 2020.  

– BrieAnna Frank

Colorado governor: Polis wins reelection

Democratic Gov. Jared Polis secured a second term after defeating Republican challenger Heidi Ganahl in Colorado’s gubernatorial race, according to projections from NBC and ABC.

In his first term, Polis pushed for healthcare and education affordability and unveiled a plan for the state to be 100% renewable energy by 2040

– BrieAnna Frank

Wyoming governor: Gordon wins reelection

Republican Gov. Mark Gordon won reelection in Wyoming against Democratic challenger Theresa Livingston.

After taking office in 2019, Gordon’s first term was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and a crash in oil prices that had dire consequences for the state’s economy.

Earlier in 2022, Gordon signed a “trigger law” banning most abortions in the state, which went into effect after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. 

– BrieAnna Frank

Iowa governor: Reynolds wins reelection

Incumbent Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds secured a victory in Iowa in her reelection bid against Democratic nominee and businessperson Deidre DeJear.

The candidates clashed on hot-button issues including abortion policy and school funding in their only debate ahead of the election.

Reynolds was appointed governor in 2017 and was elected to her first full term the following year. 

– BrieAnna Frank

Rhode Island governor: McKee wins reelection 

Democratic Gov. Dan McKee won reelection in Rhode Island against Republican challenger Ashley Kalus.

Through the contentious campaign, McKee emphasized his administration’s investments in infrastructure and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

McKee took office as governor in 2021 and previously served as mayor of Cumberland, Rhode Island. 

–  BrieAnna Frank

Arkansas governor:Huckabee Sanders wins

Republican candidate Sarah Huckabee Sanders won the election in Arkansas’ gubernatorial race against Democratic challenger Chris Jones. Huckabee Sanders is the first woman elected to the position.

Sanders previously served as the White House press secretary under Trump before seeking the office once held by her father, Mike Huckabee. 

– BrieAnna Frank

South Carolina governor: McMaster reelected  

Republican Gov. Henry McMaster wins reelection in the South Carolina governor’s race defeating Democrat Joe Cunningham, according to NBC and ABC News.

McMaster outraised Cunningham by a nearly 2-1 margin, according to S.C. Ethics Commission reports. He raised over $2 million during the campaign.  

– Rachel Looker; Adam Friedman, Nashville Tennessean 

Alabama governor:Ivey wins reelection

Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey won reelection against Democratic challenger Yolanda Flowers.

Ivey’s win puts her on pace to become the longest-serving governor in Alabama history, according to the Montgomery Adviser. 

– BrieAnna Frank

New Hampshire governor: Sununu reelected 

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu defeated Democrat Tom Sherman in the New Hampshire gubernatorial race.  

Sununu will now serve a fourth two-year term. He was heavily favored against Sherman, who ran unopposed in his party's governor's nomination. 

– Rachel Looker 

Massachusetts governor: Healey wins

Democrat Maura Healey won Massachusetts’ gubernatorial race against Trump-backed Republican nominee Geoff Diehl. 

Healey makes history as the first woman and the first openly gay candidate elected to the office.

– BrieAnna Frank

Tennessee governor: Lee wins reelection 

Republican Gov. Bill Lee was reelected governor of Tennessee. He defeated Democratic challenger Jason Martin.  

Lee sought a second and final term as governor after he was first elected in 2018. He formerly served as a businessman and chairman of the Lee Company. He ran unopposed in the primary this year.  

– Rachel Looker 

Illinois governor: Pritzker wins reelection

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker easily beat Republican challenger Darren Bailey in his reelection bid. 

Billionaires like Ken Griffin and Richard Uihlein threw hundreds of millions of dollars into the race heading into its primary, igniting a second round in the state's battle of the billionaires.

– Ella Lee

Ohio governor: DeWine wins reelection

Republican incumbent Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine claimed victory in his bid for reelection against Democratic challenger Nan Whaley, according to projections from CBS and CNN. 

Whaley was the first woman ever nominated by a major party for governor in the state's history.

DeWine, 75, won his 13th and likely final election, cruising to victory over the former Dayton mayor despite skipping some traditional campaign activities, including debates.

– BrieAnna Frank, Jessie Balmert; The Columbus Dispatch

Polls close in several states

Polls closed in Ohio at 7:30 p.m. EST. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine is seeking reelection against Democratic challenger Nan Whaley. 

Polls closed at 7 p.m. in states including Vermont, Florida, South Carolina, New Hampshire and Georgia.

In Vermont, Republican Gov. Phil Scott is seeking reelection against Democratic challenger Brenda Siegel. Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, running as Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial nominee, is seeking to remove Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis from office.

In Georgia, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is facing Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams in a rematch following her loss in 2018. 

Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is seeking reelection against Democrat Joe Cunningham, while Republican Gov. Phil Scott is facing Democratic challenger Brenda Siegel in Vermont.

In New Hampshire, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu is seeking a fourth two-year term against Democratic nominee Tom Sherman.

—BrieAnna Frank

Kari Lake casts vote in person

Republican candidate for governor Kari Lake went to vote at Phoenix’s downtown post office at noon on Tuesday with her husband, son and daughter.

Afterward, she spoke to a throng of local, national and international press, alleging problems with ballot tabulators in conservative areas.

Maricopa County reported that 20% of their polling sites were experiencing issues in over 220 locations. 

Lake has made election reforms a key part of her campaign platform, including false claims that Trump won the state in 2020. She has refused to say if she’d accept a loss, telling ABC News in October she would do so if the election was “fair, honest and transparent.”

As Lake cast her vote, Democratic nominee for governor Katie Hobbs wrapped up visits to several polling locations in Tempe and Phoenix. Hobbs voted early on Nov. 1.

Stacey Barchenger, the Arizona Republic

Governor's race between Evers, Michels almost a referendum on what Wisconsin wants to see in education

For Wisconsin education, the Nov. 8 election will be pivotal, impacting the shape and course of education policy for years to come. 

The two candidates for governor have significantly different visions for what should lie ahead for education. That, in itself, sets the stage for different paths. After all, the outcome of an election for governor often has made a big difference in the past. (Scott Walker defeating Tom Barrett, leading to the passage of Act 10, which disempowered teachers unions, in 2011, for example.)

If Democratic incumbent Tony Evers wins, his most important role in education will be as the man of a thousand vetoes. He has played that role already in his first term as governor, blocking Republican ideas on a range of issues, just as Republicans who control the Legislature have blocked his ideas. 

If Republican challenger Tim MIchels wins, the path is wide open for making Republican talking points into education realities. A lot could — and likely will — happen. 

— Alan J. Borsuk, the Journal Sentinel

Which political trend wins out in Michigan?

Michigan loves its incumbent governors. Not since 1990 has an incumbent lost a reelection bid, when Republican John Engler defeated incumbent Gov. James Blanchard, a Democrat, by a razor-thin margin.

One of those trends is getting bucked — Whitmer is the incumbent governor and Democratic President Joe Biden is in the White House. Whitmer has polled ahead of her opponent, Republican Tudor Dixon, although poll margins have narrowed closer to Election Day.

 Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press

Brian Dahle relishes underdog role entering California gubernatorial election

State Sen. Brian Dahle entered the California governor's race late. But that didn't stop him from earning a right to take on Democratic incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Dahle, a Republican from Bieber in Lassen County, fended off a field of 25 challengers in the June primary to get to Tuesday's showdown with Newsom. Polls show Newsom has a huge lead on his challenger. FiveThirtyEight, for example, has Newsom up 59.6% to 38.7% in its latest poll.

Dahle has campaigned on, among other things, the state's homeless crisis, decrying the fact that California has spent billions on homelessness, but people he has spoken to say the problem isn't getting any better.

"I'm a farmer from Bieber. You might say I'm the underdog," Dahle told the crowd of several hundred people at the Redding Civic Auditorium last February. "Well, I've been the underdog in every race I've ever won."

David Benda, Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight

PA governors: Respect outcome of election

Pennsylvania’s four living former governors on Monday sent a letter to the main party candidates vying for the position on Nov. 8, urging them to respect and accept the results of the election regardless of the outcome.

In their one-page letter to Democrat Josh Shapiro and Republican Doug Mastriano, former Govs. Tom Ridge, Mark Schweiker, Ed Rendell, and Tom Corbett said the state’s election process will be “open and transparent,” and “overseen by thousands of Pennsylvanians who care deeply about fairness.”

“We are asking you, as the leaders of the Pennsylvania Republican and Democratic parties, to pledge to honor that process, respect the law, abide the peoples’ will and support a peaceful transfer of power,” the four former governors wrote in the letter, a copy of which was provided to Spotlight PA from a spokesperson for Ridge. “In doing so, you will demonstrate to all Pennsylvania candidates who will be looking to you for leadership that love of Commonwealth and Country must come above all.”

Angela Couloumbis and Katie Meyer, Spotlight PA

Trump says he’s voted for DeSantis, hints again at presidential run

Former President Donald Trump said he voted this morning for Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, while also dropping more hints that he’ll soon declare a third run for the White House, according to media reports.

Trump spoke to the media after he cast his vote at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center on Tuesday morning, according to video posted by the local CBS news station CBS12. Former first lady Melania Trump joined him. "No matter who you vote for, you have to vote," Trump told a sparse crowd outside the polling station.

Trump also repeated that he’ll be making an announcement about his potential candidacy a week from today at his Mar-a-Lago home and resort in Palm Beach. "I think Tuesday will be a very exciting day for a lot of people,” Trump said, adding that, “The country has gotten very bad. Its lost its way, its lost its confidence."

Josh Meyer

Sisolak casts ballot in Las Vegas – at opponent’s alma mater 

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - As the polls opened to voters across the state, a crowd of Gov. Steve Sisolak’s supporters waited eagerly outside Rancho High School in Las Vegas, where the first-term Democrat was expected to cast his ballot.

His Republican challenger, Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo, graduated from this high school decades earlier. The two are locked in a razor thin race for the governor’s mansion.

When Sisolak arrived Tuesday morning with his wife and daughters, he was greeted with a hero’s welcome: “Four more years! Four more years!”

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to be your governor,” a smiling Sisolak said.

When he emerged from the high school about 20 minutes later with his family, Sisolak said his first order of business if reelected after the votes are tallied is to address public safety, affordable housing and the state’s education systems.

Sisolak will spend Election Night on the Strip with the rest of the Democratic ticket.

– Rio Lacanlale, Reno Gazette Journal

Lake, Hobbs battle in Arizona governor's race

A grueling 20-month race to choose Arizona's next governor, one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests in the country, is nearing its end as the state's final voters head to the polls Tuesday.

Republican nominee Kari Lake, the former television news anchor, and Democratic candidate Katie Hobbs, the secretary of state and a former lawmaker, were locked in a close battle that often focused on national political figures and candidate style, not to mention their vastly different visions for Arizona's future.

And at least partially, the race offers a litmus test of whether Arizonans want to dwell on the 2020 election. Denying its legitimacy was a central part of Lake's campaign; Hobbs rose to prominence defending it.

It is unlikely that a winner will be declared Tuesday as election officials continue to count ballots, including those cast in person on Election Day. A final outcome could take several days or more.

– Stacey Barchenger 

Shapiro, Mastriano bring differing visions for Pennsylvania

While the Senate race may get more headlines, the Pennsylvania governor's race is being closely watched. Attorney General Josh Shapiro is hoping to succeed Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf in a contest against Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano.

Pennsylvania can expect changes no matter who wins. Both candidates have said they would move the commonwealth in a different direction from Wolf, though in different ways.

Mastriano, a Trump loyalist who attended the Jan. 6, 2021, rally at the U.S. Capitol before it devolved into a riot, has signed onto dozens of bills vetoed by Wolf since joining the General Assembly in 2020. His governorship would likely give the green light to many or all of these measures, which include restrictions on trans athletes in sports, more lenient gun laws and the expansion of poll watching.

Shapiro has broken with Wolf in expressing support in concept for the kind of Lifeline Scholarship Program advanced by Republican lawmakers. This program would give tax dollars to families in low-performing districts to help their children attend private schools.

Shapiro is also calling for a $250-per-vehicle gas tax rebate for car owners and more aggressive tax cuts, including an accelerated plan to reduce corporate net income tax and the elimination of "nuisance" fees such as the commonwealth's cellphone tax.

– York Daily Record

Midterms:Here's why security officials are concerned about claims of a hacked (or stolen) election

Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano wears an "I Voted" sticker after voting at his polling place, the New LIFE Worship Center Church of God, in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 8, 2022.

Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis: 2022's Hurricane Ian previews 2024 election

The lethal Florida hurricane of 2022 also generated storm warnings about the presidential race of 2024.

As President Joe Biden visited Florida in October to survey damage caused by Hurricane Ian, he found himself in the cross-winds of two potential 2024 re-election opponents: Former President Donald Trump and current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Biden and DeSantis kept it cordial; Trump did not.

"We are a nation in decline – so sad to say it, we are a failing nation," Trump told a group of Hispanic conservatives in Miami, laying all of the blame on the Biden administration.

The trio of Biden, Trump, and DeSantis has been trading barbs all year, previewing a presidential race that could be unmatched in vitriol. Biden has said Trump and his political movement are "a threat to our very democracy," while Trump branded his 2020 vanquisher as an "enemy of the state."

Read the whole story here:Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis: 2022's Hurricane Ian previews 2024 election

– David Jackson

The 10 governor's races to watch in the 2022 midterms

During a period of inaction of Washington, governors have taken a prominent role in forming national policy on a number of important fronts.

Beyond COVID-19, however, gubernatorial candidates are facing challenges that mirror the debates in Washington, including how they plan to handle violent crime and voting rights. Plus, the Supreme Court's summer ruling to leave reproductive rights to the states has placed abortion center stage in many governor's races. 

From Maine to California, gubernatorial elections are being held in 36 states this fall with most featuring incumbents running for reelection. Ten of those races are especially noteworthy.

Read all about it:Why we're eyeing these 10 governor's races in 2022 midterms

– Phillip M. Bailey, Ella Lee

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