Staff Reports
In 2024, it looks like the governors’ races are going to be more politicized than ever, thanks to the looming possibility of a Trump-Biden rematch. It seems like the only political office not totally consumed by national politics is in danger of getting sucked into the madness.
How Trump and Biden could spell bad news for their parties in crucial races https://t.co/KbY6Phq9D9 https://t.co/KbY6Phq9D9
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 26, 2023
Eleven governor seats are up for grabs in 2024, and the potential nomination of Trump and Biden for their respective parties is making things even more intense. The hardcore conservatives who support Trump and the establishment Democrats who are getting fed up with Biden are waging war, and our 11 governors could end up being collateral damage.
The outcome of a gubernatorial election is usually about what’s best for the state, like taxes, healthcare, and education. But with Trump and Biden causing such chaos, these races could be more about national issues than local ones. It used to be that governors could do their own thing, no matter who was president. But this Trump-Biden showdown could change all that.
Just look at North Carolina. Trump narrowly won the state in 2020, but Democrat Roy Cooper took the governorship. And now, Cooper is stepping aside, setting the stage for a razor-close race. Democrats are pinning their hopes on state Attorney General Josh Stein, while Republicans are backing Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, an ally of Trump. It’s already shaping up to be a wild fight, with big issues like abortion and the economy taking center stage.
Over in New Hampshire, the story is much the same. Biden carried the state, but Republican Gov. Chris Sununu held onto his seat. With Sununu not running again, Democrats see a chance to finally turn the governor’s mansion blue. But the Republican primary is tangled up in Trump’s shadow, meaning the general election could be just as polarized as we saw in 2022.
And in Utah, even sensible conservative Gov. Spencer Cox is feeling the heat from the Trump wing of his own party. He’s facing a tough primary challenge from a hard-line conservative with ties to Trump. But despite the chaos, Cox is standing strong with solid support from Utah voters.
