State executive official elections, 2020

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State Executive Officials

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State executive elections by position and year:

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Last updated February 9, 2021

State executive offices up for election in 2020 included 11 gubernatorial seats, nine lieutenant gubernatorial seats, 10 attorney general seats, and seven secretary of state seats. Including down-ballot races, there were 170 state executive offices up for election across 29 states in 2020.

Republicans gained one governorship and one lieutenant governorship. Democrats gained one lieutenant governorship and one secretary of state's office.

Highlights

* Gubernatorial elections: Democrats held governorships in Delaware, North Carolina, and Washington. Republicans held governorships in Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia. Republicans picked up Montana's governorship.
* Attorney general elections: No attorney general offices changed partisan control. Republicans held attorney general offices in Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Utah, and West Virginia. Democrats held attorney general offices in North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington.
* Secretary of state elections: Republicans held secretary of state offices in Missouri, Montana, Washington, and West Virginia. Democrats held offices in North Carolina and Vermont and picked up the secretary of state's office in Oregon.

A state government trifecta exists when one party controls the governorship and both state legislative chambers. Republicans increased their trifecta total with a net gain of two trifectas as a result of the 2020 elections. States with divided government—no trifecta for either major party—declined by two. Democrats neither gained nor lost trifectas. Republicans won control of the governorship in Montana and flipped both chambers of the state legislature in New Hampshire.

A state government triplex is defined as one political party holding the offices of governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. Republicans and Democrats each gained triplex status in one state in the 2020 elections. Montana transitioned from divided control to a Republican triplex: Republicans flipped the governor's office and maintained control of the secretary of state and attorney general offices. Oregon transitioned from divided control to a Democratic triplex: Democrats flipped the secretary of state's office and maintained control of the attorney general office. Oregon did not hold a gubernatorial election in 2020.

This page includes the following:

* Battlegrounds: Links to more information on key races
* Offices that changed party control: Offices that changed party control in the 2020 elections
* Incumbents defeated: Incumbents defeated in the 2020 elections
* Offices up for election: List of state executive elections, including down-ballot races
* Total executive officials by party: Partisan breakdown of the offices that were on the ballot in 2020
* Competitiveness: Races with one major party candidate and primary election competitiveness data
* Trifecta results: Analysis of post-election trifecta statuses
* Triplex results: Analysis of post-election triplex statuses
* Rematches: Rematches in 2020 general elections
* Historical election data: Data on incumbency and partisanship in state executive elections from 2011 to 2019
* The offices: Description of state executive offices
* Analysis of state elections: Links to further state election coverage on Ballotpedia

While this page includes links to pages on state executive elections in the U.S. Territories, it does not include the territories in its statistics.

Staff Researcher Madison Adkins gives a quick overview of the most vulnerable trifectas in 2020. View other episodes here.

## Contents

* 1 Battleground elections
* 1.1 Governor of Indiana
* 1.2 Governor of Missouri
* 1.3 Governor of Montana
* 1.4 Governor of New Hampshire
* 1.5 Governor of North Carolina
* 1.6 Governor of Vermont
* 1.7 Attorney General of Montana
* 1.8 Montana Secretary of State
* 1.9 Oregon Secretary of State
* 1.10 Kansas State Board of Education
* 1.10.1 District 2
* 1.10.2 District 8
* 2 Offices that changed party control
* 2.1 List of offices that changed party control
* 3 Incumbents defeated
* 4 Offices up for election
* 4.1 Governor
* 4.2 Lieutenant Governor
* 4.3 Attorney General
* 4.4 Secretary of State
* 4.5 Down-ballot
* 4.5.1 Treasurer
* 4.5.2 Auditor
* 4.5.3 Education officials
* 4.5.4 Commissioners
* 4.5.5 Other
* 5 Total executive officials by party
* 6 Competitiveness
* 6.1 Races with one major party candidate
* 6.1.1 Races without Democratic candidates
* 6.1.2 Races without Republican candidates
* 6.2 Primary competitiveness
* 7 2020 state government trifecta results summary
* 8 2020 state government triplex results summary
* 8.1 Changes in triplex status
* 8.2 Montana
* 8.3 Oregon
* 9 Rematches in 2020 general elections
* 10 Historical election data
* 10.1 Incumbency
* 10.2 Partisanship
* 10.2.1 Partisan control of governorships
* 11 The offices
* 12 Analysis of state elections
* 12.1 Election analysis
* 13 See also
* 14 External links
* 15 Footnotes

## Battleground elections[edit]

Ballotpedia designated certain 2020 elections as battleground races, due to those races being either particularly competitive, interesting, or meaningful to the future balance of power in that jurisdiction.

Of the 170 state executive official seats up for election in 2020, Ballotpedia identified 11 races as battlegrounds, including six gubernatorial elections, one attorney general election, two secretary of state elections, and two board of education elections.

* For more information about 2020 gubernatorial battleground elections, click here.
* For more information about the 2020 attorney general battleground election, click here.
* For more information about 2020 secretary of state battleground elections, click here.
* For more information about 2020 board of education battlegrounds, click here.

To view election results for these 11 battleground races, expand the section below.

* State executive office battleground election results (click to expand)

### Governor of Indiana[edit]

General election

##### General election for Governor of Indiana

Incumbent Eric Holcomb defeated Woody Myers and Donald Rainwater in the general election for Governor of Indiana on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Eric Holcomb (R)  |

56.5

| 1,706,724

| Woody Myers (D)  |

32.1

| 968,092

| Donald Rainwater (L)  |

11.4

| 345,567

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 3,020,383

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

### Governor of Missouri[edit]

General election

##### General election for Governor of Missouri

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Missouri on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Mike Parson (R)  |

57.1

| 1,720,202

| Nicole Galloway (D)  |

40.7

| 1,225,771

| Rik Combs (L) |

1.6

| 49,067

| Jerome H. Bauer (G)  |

0.6

| 17,234

| Theodis Brown Sr. (Independent) (Write-in)  |

0.0

| 5

| Martin Lindstedt (Independent) (Write-in)  |

0.0

| 4

| Arnie Dienoff (Independent) (Write-in)  |

0.0

| 4

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 3,012,287

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

### Governor of Montana[edit]

General election

##### General election for Governor of Montana

Greg Gianforte defeated Mike Cooney, Lyman Bishop, and Chris Hall in the general election for Governor of Montana on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Greg Gianforte (R)  |

54.4

| 328,548

| Mike Cooney (D)  |

41.6

| 250,860

| Lyman Bishop (L)  |

4.0

| 24,179

| Chris Hall (Independent) (Write-in)  |

0.0

| 21

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 603,608

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

#### Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

* Robert Barb (G)

### Governor of New Hampshire[edit]

General election

##### General election for Governor of New Hampshire

Incumbent Chris Sununu defeated Dan Feltes and Darryl Perry in the general election for Governor of New Hampshire on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Chris Sununu (R)  |

65.1

| 516,609

| Dan Feltes (D)  |

33.4

| 264,639

| Darryl Perry (L) |

1.4

| 11,329
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

0.1

| 683

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 793,260

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!

### Governor of North Carolina[edit]

General election

##### General election for Governor of North Carolina

Incumbent Roy Cooper defeated Dan Forest, Steven DiFiore II, and Al Pisano in the general election for Governor of North Carolina on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Roy Cooper (D)  |

51.5

| 2,834,790

| Dan Forest (R)  |

47.0

| 2,586,605

| Steven DiFiore II (L) |

1.1

| 60,449

| Al Pisano (Constitution Party) |

0.4

| 20,934

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 5,502,778

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

### Governor of Vermont[edit]

General election

##### General election for Governor of Vermont

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Vermont on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Phil Scott (R)  |

68.5

| 248,412

| David Zuckerman (Vermont Progressive Party / D)  |

27.4

| 99,214

| Kevin Hoyt (Independent)  |

1.3

| 4,576

| Emily Peyton (Truth Matters Party)  |

1.0

| 3,505

| Erynn Whitney (Independent)  |

0.5

| 1,777

| Wayne Billado III (Independent)  |

0.4

| 1,431

| Michael Devost (Independent)  |

0.3

| 1,160

| Charly Dickerson (Independent)  |

0.3

| 1,037
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

0.4

| 1,599

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 362,711

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!

#### Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

* John Klar (Independent)

### Attorney General of Montana[edit]

General election

##### General election for Attorney General of Montana

Austin Knudsen defeated Raph Graybill in the general election for Attorney General of Montana on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Austin Knudsen (R)  |

58.5

| 348,322

| Raph Graybill (D) |

41.5

| 247,025

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 595,347

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

#### Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

* Roy Davis (G)

### Montana Secretary of State[edit]

General election

##### General election for Montana Secretary of State

Christi Jacobsen defeated Bryce Bennett in the general election for Montana Secretary of State on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Christi Jacobsen (R)  |

59.6

| 352,939

| Bryce Bennett (D)  |

40.4

| 239,617

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 592,556

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

### Oregon Secretary of State[edit]

General election

##### General election for Oregon Secretary of State

Shemia Fagan defeated Kim Thatcher, Nathalie Paravicini, and Kyle Markley in the general election for Oregon Secretary of State on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Shemia Fagan (D / Working Families Party)  |

50.3

| 1,146,370

| Kim Thatcher (R / Independent)  |

43.2

| 984,597

| Nathalie Paravicini (Pacific Green Party / Progressive Party)  |

3.6

| 82,211

| Kyle Markley (L)  |

2.8

| 62,985
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

0.1

| 2,340

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 2,278,503

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

### Kansas State Board of Education[edit]

#### District 2[edit]

General election

##### General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 2

Melanie Haas defeated Benjamin Hodge in the general election for Kansas State Board of Education District 2 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Melanie Haas (D)  |

55.6

| 99,786

| Benjamin Hodge (R)  |

44.4

| 79,696

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 179,482

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

#### District 8[edit]

General election

##### General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 8

Betty Arnold defeated incumbent Kathy Busch in the general election for Kansas State Board of Education District 8 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Betty Arnold (D)  |

51.4

| 49,467

| Kathy Busch (R)  |

48.6

| 46,821

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 96,288

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

## Offices that changed party control[edit]

Twenty-one state executive offices changed partisan control. Republicans gained a net four offices and Democrats lost a net three. Twelve offices flipped from Democratic to Republican control, eight flipped from Republican to Democratic control, and one flipped from third party to Democratic control.[1]

The table below shows the direction and totals of these flips.

Party flips of state executive offices, 2020

| To Democrats  | To Republicans  | To Independent/
third parties  | Total
From Democrats | \-  | 12  |  0  | 12
From Republicans | 8  | \-  |  0  | 8
From Independent/
third parties | 1  | 0  | \-  | 1
Total |  9  | 12  | 0  | 21
Net change, 2020 |  -3  | +4  | -1  |  \-

Fifteen states saw partisan flips in their state executive offices in 2020. Eight states’ offices became more Democratic and seven became more Republican. The state with the largest Democratic gains was Kansas where two positions on the state board of education flipped from Republican to Democratic control. The state with the largest Republican gains was Michigan where three members of the state’s university’s boards of regents flipped from Democrats to Republicans.

The map below shows states where party flips occurred in 2020. States shaded dark gray saw no change in the party control of the state executive offices up for election in 2020. Hover over a state to view the pre- and post-election partisan make-up of the offices up for election in 2020.

### List of offices that changed party control[edit]

State executive offices that changed party control, 2020 elections

Office  |  Pre-election incumbent  |  Election winner
Governor of Montana |  Steve Bullock |  Greg Gianforte
Lieutenant Governor of Montana |  Mike Cooney |  Kristen Juras
Lieutenant Governor of Vermont |  David Zuckerman |  Molly Gray
Oregon Secretary of State |  Bev Clarno |  Shemia Fagan
Pennsylvania Treasurer |  Joseph Torsella |  Stacy Garrity
Washington Treasurer |  Duane Davidson |  Mike Pellicciotti
West Virginia Treasurer |  John Perdue |  Riley Moore
Pennsylvania Auditor |  Eugene DePasquale |  Timothy DeFoor
Colorado State Board of Regents District 6 |  John Carson |  Ilana Spiegel
Kansas State Board of Education District 2 |  Steve Roberts |  Melanie Haas
Kansas State Board of Education District 8 |  Kathy Busch |  Betty Arnold
University of Michigan Board of Regents |  Shauna Ryder Diggs |  Sarah Hubbard
Michigan State University Board of Trustees |  (at-large)  |  Pat O'Keefe
Wayne State University Board of Governors |  Sandra O'Brien |  Terri Lynn Land
New Mexico Public Education Commission District 8 |  Sonia Raftery |  Michael Taylor
New Mexico Public Education Commission District 9 |  Trish Ruiz |  K.T. Manis
Texas State Board of Education District 5 |  Ken Mercer |  Rebecca Bell-Metereau
Arizona Corporation Commission |  (at-large)  |  Anna Tovar
Massachusetts Governor's Council District 7 |  (vacant)  |  Paul DePalo
New Hampshire Executive Council District 1 |  Michael Cryans |  Joseph Kenney
New Hampshire Executive Council District 5 |  Debora Pignatelli |  Dave Wheeler

## Incumbents defeated[edit]

The following table shows incumbents who sought re-election but were defeated in primaries or general elections in races called as of December 30.

State executive defeated incumbents, 2020

Office  |  Pre-election incumbent  |  Election winner  |  Partisan switch?
Indiana Attorney General |  Curtis Hill |  Todd Rokita |  No
Pennsylvania Treasurer |  Joseph Torsella |  Stacy Garrity |  Yes
Washington Treasurer |  Duane Davidson |  Mike Pellicciotti |  Yes
West Virginia Treasurer |  John Perdue |  Riley Moore | Yes
Kansas State Board of Education District 8 |  Kathy Busch |  Betty Arnold |  Yes
University of Michigan Board of Regents |  Shauna Ryder Diggs |  Sarah Hubbard |  Yes
Michigan State University Board of Trustees |  Brian Mosallam |  (at-large)  |  N/A
Nevada State Board of Education District 4 |  Mark Newburn (Nonpartisan)  |  Rene Cantu (Nonpartisan)  |  No
New Mexico Public Education Commission District 1 |  Ricardo Caballero |  Melissa Armijo |  No
New Mexico Public Education Commission District 9 |  Trish Ruiz |  K.T. Manis |  Yes
Ohio State Board of Education District 5 |  Lisa Woods (Nonpartisan)  |  Christina Collins (Nonpartisan)  |  No
Texas Railroad Commission |  Ryan Sitton |  James Wright |  No
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i Resident Trustee |  Colette Machado (Nonpartisan)  |  Luana Alapa (Nonpartisan)  |  No
New Hampshire Executive Council District 1 |  Michael Cryans |  Joseph Kenney |  Yes
New Hampshire Executive Council District 5 |  Debora Pignatelli |  Dave Wheeler |  Yes

## Offices up for election[edit]

### Governor[edit]

There were 11 gubernatorial seats up for election in 2020.

Out of all top state executive offices, only the governor and attorney general exist in all 50 states, and only the governor is elected in all 50 states. As the chief executive officer, the governor is among the most powerful figures in state government. Other executive offices ordinarily report to him or her.

* American Samoa
* Delaware
* Indiana
* Missouri
* Montana
* New Hampshire
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Puerto Rico
* Utah
* Vermont
* Washington
* West Virginia

### Lieutenant Governor[edit]

There were nine lieutenant gubernatorial seats on the ballot in 2020.

In 45 states, the lieutenant governor is the second-highest executive office, behind the governor. Although the powers and duties of the lieutenant governor vary from state to state, lieutenant governors are responsible for filling vacancies in the office of governor. In many states, lieutenant governors often sit on boards or commissions, and they are often involved in the proceedings of the state Senate.

* American Samoa
* Delaware
* Indiana
* Missouri
* Montana
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Utah
* Vermont
* Washington

### Attorney General[edit]

There were 10 attorney general seats on the ballot in 2020.

As the state's chief legal officer, the attorney general is responsible for enforcing state law and advising the state government on legal matters. In many states, attorneys general play a large role in the law enforcement process.

* Indiana
* Missouri
* Montana
* North Carolina
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* Utah
* Vermont
* Washington
* West Virginia

### Secretary of State[edit]

There were seven secretary of state seats on the ballot in 2020.

Although the duties and powers of the secretary of state vary from state to state, a common responsibility is management and oversight of elections and voter rolls, which are assigned to the secretary of state in 41 states. Other common responsibilities include registration of businesses, maintenance of state records, and certification of official documents.

* Missouri
* Montana
* North Carolina
* Oregon
* Vermont
* Washington
* West Virginia

### Down-ballot[edit]

There were 133 down-ballot state executive offices up for election in 2020.

#### Treasurer[edit]

* Missouri
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* Utah
* Vermont
* Washington
* West Virginia

#### Auditor[edit]

* Guam
* Montana
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Pennsylvania
* Utah
* Vermont
* Washington
* West Virginia

#### Education officials[edit]

* Alabama (board of education)
* Colorado (board of education)
* Colorado (board of regents)
* District of Columbia (board of education)
* Guam (board of education)
* Kansas (board of education)
* Michigan (board of education)
* Michigan (board of regents)
* Montana (superintendent)
* Nebraska (board of education)
* Nebraska (board of regents)
* Nevada (board of education)
* Nevada (board of regents)
* New Mexico (public education commissioner)
* North Carolina (superintendent)
* North Dakota (superintendent)
* Northern Mariana Islands (board of education)
* Ohio (board of education)
* Texas (board of education)
* U.S. Virgin Islands (board of education)
* Utah (board of education)
* Washington (superintendent)

#### Commissioners[edit]

* Alabama (public service)
* Arizona (corporation)
* Delaware (insurance)
* Georgia (public service)
* Guam (utilities)
* Louisiana (public service)
* Montana (public service)
* Nebraska (public service)
* New Mexico (public regulation)
* North Carolina (agriculture)
* North Carolina (labor)
* North Carolina (insurance)
* North Dakota (insurance)
* North Dakota (public service)
* Oklahoma (corporation)
* South Dakota (public utilities)
* Texas (railroad)
* Washington (natural resources)
* Washington (insurance)
* West Virginia (agriculture)

#### Other[edit]

* Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees
* Massachusetts Governor's Council
* New Hampshire Executive Council
* U.S. Virgin Islands (board of elections)

## Total executive officials by party[edit]

Of the 170 state executive positions up for election in 2020, 58 were held by Democrats heading into the election, 72 were held by Republicans, and 40 were nonpartisan offices or were held by an independent or third party candidate. The chart below shows a breakdown of partisan control by office type.

## Competitiveness[edit]

### Races with one major party candidate[edit]

See also: State executive official elections without a Democratic or Republican candidate, 2020

Ballotpedia tracked state executive races without a Democratic or Republican candidate in the 2020 elections. Fourteen state executive races did not have a Democratic candidate, and 17 state executive races did not have a Republican candidate.

#### Races without Democratic candidates[edit]

* Alabama State Board of Education District 7
* Kansas State Board of Education District 6
* Kansas State Board of Education District 10
* New Mexico Public Education Commission District 8
* Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner
* Texas State Board of Education District 8
* Utah Auditor
* Utah State Board of Education District 4
* Utah State Board of Education District 10
* Utah State Board of Education District 11
* Utah State Board of Education District 12
* Utah State Board of Education District 13
* Utah State Board of Education District 15
* Utah Treasurer

#### Races without Republican candidates[edit]

* University of Colorado Board of Regents District 7
* Kansas State Board of Education District 4
* Massachusetts Governor's Council District 1
* Massachusetts Governor's Council District 2
* Massachusetts Governor's Council District 3
* Massachusetts Governor's Council District 4
* Massachusetts Governor's Council District 5
* Massachusetts Governor's Council District 6
* Massachusetts Governor's Council District 7
* Massachusetts Governor's Council District 8
* New Mexico Public Education Commission District 1
* New Mexico Public Education Commission District 4
* New Mexico Public Education Commission District 10
* New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 3
* Utah State Board of Education District 7
* Vermont Auditor
* Washington Lieutenant Governor

### Primary competitiveness[edit]

See also: 2020 primary election competitiveness in state and federal government

State executive primaries were more competitive in 2020 than in 2016—the previous time a comparable number of state executive offices were up for election. The number of open seats where the incumbent did not seek re-election increased from 45 to 58, while the number of incumbents facing a primary challenger also increased from 19 to 37.

The number of overall contested primaries also increased. In 2016, there were 68 contested state executive primaries—30 Republican, 29 Democratic, and nine top-two . In 2020, this number increased to 101 contested primaries—48 Republican, 41 Democratic, and 22 top-two.

## 2020 state government trifecta results summary[edit]

See also: Election results, 2020: State government trifectas

Updated February 12, 2021

Republicans gained trifecta control in Montana and New Hampshire. Republicans have 23 trifectas (a net gain of two), Democrats have 15 trifectas, and 12 states have divided governments (a net loss of two).

Heading into the 2020 elections, there were 36 state government trifectas—the most since 2013. Republicans had 21 trifectas, and Democrats had 15. The other 14 states had divided government, meaning neither party had a trifecta.

In the November 3, 2020, elections, 44 states held elections for one or more trifecta offices. A state government trifecta occurs when one party holds the governorship and a majority in both chambers of a state's legislature. We identified 16 vulnerable trifectas: eight Democratic and eight Republican. We also identified seven states where one or both parties had the potential to gain a trifecta.

The states under divided government included eight with a Democratic governor and Republican legislature and four with a Republican governor and Democratic legislature. The final two states were Alaska (with a Republican governor and state Senate majority, but a minority coalition in the state House) and Minnesota (with a Democratic governor and state House majority, but a Republican state Senate majority).

Though Republicans won a plurality of seats in the Alaska House, Republicans were unable to organize a majority, resulting in a minority coalition comprised of 16 Democrats, three independents, and two Republicans. Click here to read more.

The Republican flips from divided power to trifecta control in 2020 were in:

* Montana: Republicans won control of the governorship.
* New Hampshire: Republicans won control of the state Senate and House.

As a result of the 2020 elections, the country had 23 Republican-held trifectas, 15 Democratic-held trifectas, and 12 divided governments, as illustrated by the table below.

Change in state government trifectas, 2020 elections

Trifecta status  |  Before  |  After  |  Net
Democratic trifectas  |  15  |  15  |  0
Republican trifectas  |  21  |  23  |  +2
Divided government  |  14  |  12  |  -2

The map below shows trifecta statuses following the 2020 election.

The map below shows trifecta control in states going into the 2020 election.

## 2020 state government triplex results summary[edit]

See also: Election results, 2020: State government triplexes

Thirteen states held elections for one or more triplex offices on November 3, 2020. A state government triplex occurs when the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state in a given state are all members of the same political party.

In the November 3 elections, Republicans and Democrats each gained triplex status in one state.

Heading into 2020, there were 36 state government triplexes: 19 Republican triplexes and 17 Democratic triplexes. The remaining 14 states were under divided control, meaning neither party had a triplex. As a result of the November 3 elections, the total number of triplexes increased to 38: 20 Republican triplexes and 18 Democratic triplexes. Twelve states remained under divided control.

### Changes in triplex status[edit]

### Montana[edit]

* * *

As a result of the 2020 elections, Montana transitioned from divided control to a Republican triplex. Republicans flipped the governor's office and maintained control of the secretary of state and attorney general offices.

* Governor: Greg Gianforte (R) defeated Mike Cooney (D), Lyman Bishop (L), and write-in Chris Hall (I). Incumbent Gov. Steve Bullock (D) was term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election.

### Oregon[edit]

* * *

As a result of the 2020 elections, Oregon transitioned from divided control to a Democratic triplex. Democrats flipped the secretary of state's office and maintained control of the attorney general office. Incumbent Gov. Kate Brown (D) was not up for re-election in 2020.

* Secretary of State: Shemia Fagan (D) defeated Kim Thatcher (R), Kyle Markley (L), and Nathalie Paravicini (Pacific Green Party). Incumbent Bev Clarno (R) did not run for re-election, which Brown made a condition of her appointment after the death of former Secretary of State Dennis Richardson (R).

Changes in triplex status

|  Democratic triplexes  |  Republican triplexes  |  Divided control
Before 2020 election  |  17  |  19  |  14
After 2020 election  |  18  |  20  |  12

## Rematches in 2020 general elections[edit]

See also: Rematches in 2020 general elections

Updated February 8, 2021

An election rematch occurs when the same candidates run against each other in consecutive election cycles. One race in Ballotpedia's coverage scope for state executives was a rematch in the 2020 general election.[2] The Republican candidate won the seat in 2018 and 2020.

State executive rematches, 2020

District | Candidates | 2018 margin | 2020 margin
North Dakota Public Service Commission |  Casey D. Buchmann |  Brian Kroshus | R+23.12 | R+35.41

## Historical election data[edit]

Ballotpedia covers America's 748 state executive seats across all 50 states. The following sections look at incumbency and partisanship in state executive elections from 2011 to 2019.

### Incumbency[edit]

From 2011 to 2019, 64.3% of incumbents sought re-election. Of the incumbents who sought re-election during that period, 86.3% were successful. The first chart below shows the number of incumbents who sought election each year compared to the number of seats up for election. The second chart shows the number of incumbents who were re-elected compared to the number of incumbents who ran for re-election.

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The table below is organized by year and includes the total number of offices up for election, the number and percentage of incumbents who sought re-election, and the number and percentage of incumbents who won another term.

State executive incumbents who sought re-election, 2011-2019

Year  |  Total seats  |  Incumbents who
sought re-election  |  % incumbents who
sought re-election  |  Incumbents who
were re-elected  |  % incumbents who
were re-elected
2019 | 26 | 22 | 84.6% | 21 | 95.5%
2018 | 303 | 186 | 61.4% | 151 | 81.2%
2017 | 8 | 3 | 37.5% | 2 | 66.7%
2016 | 93 | 51 | 54.8% | 40 | 78.4%
2015 | 25 | 16 | 64.0% | 15 | 93.8%
2014 | 226 | 152 | 67.3% | 139 | 91.4%
2013 | 6 | 3 | 50.0% | 3 | 100.0%
2012 | 94 | 67 | 71.3% | 59 | 88.1%
2011 | 26 | 19 | 73.1% | 18 | 94.7%
Total | 807 | 519 | 64.3% | 448 | 86.3%

### Partisanship[edit]

The table below details how many state executive seats changed parties from 2011 to 2019. The largest single-year gain by a party was in 2018, when Democrats gained 41 net seats. That year also had the highest number of seats up for election, with 303. The lowest net change was in 2011, when no parties gained or lost any seats. Twenty-six seats were on the ballot that year. The table is organized by year and shows the number of seats held by each party before the election and after the election and the net change each party saw.

State executive partisanship, 2011-2018

Year  |  Total seats  |  Before election  |  After election  |  Net change

Democrats |
Republicans |
Other |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Other |
Democrats |
Republicans |
Other
2019 | 26 | 8 | 28 | 0 | 7 | 29 | 0 | -1 | +1 | 0
2018 | 303 | 81 | 184 | 38 | 122 | 143 | 38 | +41 | -41 | 0
2017 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +2 | -2 | 0
2016 | 93 | 50 | 39 | 3 | 37 | 53 | 2 | -13 | +14 | -1
2015 | 25 | 8 | 16 | 1 | 6 | 19 | 0 | -2 | +3 | -1
2014 | 226 | 79 | 144 | 3 | 67 | 156 | 3 | -12 | +12 | 0
2013 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +3 | -3 | 0
2012 | 94 | 50 | 38 | 6 | 49 | 42 | 3 | -1 | +4 | -3
2011 | 26 | 9 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0

#### Partisan control of governorships[edit]

The chart below looks at the number of governorships held by the Democratic and Republican parties between 1977 and 2019. The biggest difference between the number of seats held by Democrats compared to those held by Republicans was in 1977 and 1978, when Democrats held 37 seats and Republicans held 12. The lowest difference between the number of seats held by Democrats compared to those held by Republicans was in 1987, 2003, and 2019. In 1987, Democrats held 26 governorships and Republicans held 24; in both 2003 and 2019, Democrats held 24 governorships and Republicans held 26.

## The offices[edit]

Staff Writer Kate Carsella gives a quick overview of the 2020 gubernatorial races. View other episodes here.

State executives act in many capacities according to the powers granted to them by their state's constitution. They are also charged with implementing and enforcing laws made by state legislatures. There are 748 executive seats spread across 13 distinct types of offices in the United States.[3] Of the 13 executive offices, only seven exist in all 50 states: governor, attorney general, superintendent of schools, insurance commissioner, agriculture commissioner, labor commissioner, and public service commissioner.

Other common offices include lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, controller, auditor, and natural resources commissioner.

## Analysis of state elections[edit]

See also: Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2020

In November 2020, regular elections were held for 86 of 99 state legislative chambers, plus 11 gubernatorial offices, nine lieutenant gubernatorial offices, 10 attorney general offices, and seven secretary of state offices.

### Election analysis[edit]

All state elections

* Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection report
* Noteworthy recounts in the United States
* Incumbent win rates by state
* Results of state elected officials seeking other offices, 2020
* Analysis of rejected ballots in the 2020 general election
* Analysis of ballot curing in the 2020 general election
* Analysis of voter turnout in the 2020 general election
* Ballotpedia's Top 15 elections to watch, 2020

Trifectas

* State government trifectas in the 2020 elections
* Historical and potential changes in trifectas
* Trifecta vulnerability in the 2020 elections
* Presidential election results by trifecta status
* Gubernatorial and presidential split-ticket states

State executive elections

* Partisan balance of governors
* State government triplexes
* Annual State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2020
* States with both gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections in 2020

* State executive official elections without a Democratic or Republican candidate, 2020

* Gubernatorial battlegrounds, 2020
* Battleground election polls, 2020

State legislative elections

* Number of state legislators by party
* Annual State Legislative Competitiveness Report: Vol. 10, 2020
* Open seats in the 2020 state legislative elections
* Impact of term limits on state legislative elections in 2020
* State legislative incumbents in contested primaries, 2020
* Incumbents defeated in the 2020 state legislative elections
* Major party candidates with major party competition in the November 2020 state legislative elections
* Effect of the 2020 elections on redistricting
* Rematches in 2020 general elections
* State legislative veto-proof majorities
* State legislative battleground chambers, 2020
* Veto-proof state legislatures and opposing party governors in the 2020 elections
* Races decided by fewer than 100 votes
* State legislative seats flipped
* State legislative special election changes in party control since 2010
* State legislative chambers that changed party control
* State legislative seats that changed party control
* Comparison of state legislative election and session dates, 2020

State ballot measures

* Ballot Measure Scorecard, 2020
* Ballotpedia's Tuesday Count for 2020
* Ballotpedia's top 15 ballot measures to watch on Nov. 3
* Ballotpedia's 2019 list of the top 10 ballot measures in 2020

## See also[edit]

2020 elections:

* State legislative elections, 2020
* State judicial elections, 2020

Previous elections:

* State executive official elections, 2019
* State executive official elections, 2018
* State executive official elections, 2017
* State executive official elections, 2016

Ballotpedia exclusives:

* State executives compensation
* Who runs the states?
* Impact of term limits on state executive elections in 2020

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|  Suggest a link

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## External links[edit]

* Search Google News for this topic

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ 2020 was the first year that the Utah State Board of Education held partisan elections. Prior to 2020, the elections were nonpartisan. For more information on this change, click here.
2. ↑ This figure only counts exact rematches between candidates and does not capture major party rematches if third party candidates for office differed between 2018 and 2020.
3. ↑ There are 13 state executive offices as Ballotpedia defines the term; however, there are other executive offices in some states that are not covered by Ballotpedia.

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