Democrats Poised To Assume Majority Of Governorships [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

Democrats Poised To Assume Majority Of Governorships
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By MARK Z. BARABAK Los Angeles Times

Published: Oct 9, 2006

For the first time since the 1994 Republican landslide, Democrats are poised to attain a majority of the nation's governorships, giving the party an important political toehold regardless of who wins the battle to control Congress.

As voters itch for change, election handicappers forecast Democratic gains of four to eight seats on Nov. 7, saying the Republican-held governor's chairs in New York and Ohio are the most likely to switch parties. The Democrats must gain four governorships to hold a majority nationwide.

Massachusetts, Arkansas, Colorado and Maryland also look promising for Democratic candidates, according to campaign analysts, favoring several more pickups. In Massachusetts - the land of Kennedys - a win would mark the first time a Democratic governor has sat under the gold Capitol dome in more than a dozen years.

Four seats that appear to be toss-ups at this point: Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, all states that could prove vital in the 2008 presidential campaign. All save Minnesota have a Democratic governor now.
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