2023 United States gubernatorial elections

For related races, see 2023 United States elections.

2023 United States gubernatorial elections

* * *

| <- 2022 | November 7, 2023
October 14 (Louisiana) | 2024 ->

|
|

<- 2019

2027 ->

* * *

3 governorships
|  | Majority party  | Minority party

|
|

|  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Seats before  | 26 | 24
Seats after  | 27 | 23
Seat change  |  1  |  1
Popular vote  | 1,741,855 | 1,389,283
Percentage  | 54.34% | 43.34%
Seats up  | 1  | 2
Races won  | 2 | 1

* * *

Republican gain Democratic hold
Republican hold

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 7, 2023, in the states of Kentucky and Mississippi, with an election having occurred in Louisiana on October 14. These elections form part of the 2023 United States elections. The last regular gubernatorial elections for all three states were in 2019.

In Louisiana, term-limited incumbent John Bel Edwards was succeeded by Jeff Landry, flipping the seat from Democratic to Republican control. In Kentucky, Democrat Andy Beshear won re-election to a second term. In Mississippi, Republican Tate Reeves won re-election to a second term.

## Partisan composition

[edit]

Going into the election, there were 26 Republican governors and 24 Democratic governors in the United States. This class of governors was made up of 1 Republican and 2 Democrats. Democrats were defending two governorships in states Donald Trump won in 2020 (Kentucky and Louisiana).[1][2]

## Election predictions

[edit]

Several sites and individuals published predictions of competitive seats. These predictions looked at factors such as the strength of the incumbent (if the incumbent is running for re-election), the strength of the candidates, and the partisan leanings of the state (reflected in part by the state's Cook Partisan Voting Index rating). The predictions assigned ratings to each seat, with the rating indicating a party's predicted advantage in winning that seat.

Most election predictors use:

* "tossup": no advantage
* "tilt" (used by some predictors): advantage that is not quite as strong as "lean"
* "lean": slight advantage
* "likely": significant, but surmountable, advantage
* "safe" or "solid": near-certain chance of victory

State  | PVI | Incumbent  | Last
race  | Cook
October 23,
2023[3] | IE
September 1,
2023[4] | Sabato
October 16,
2023[5] | ED
November 7,
2023[6] | Result

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Kentucky | R+16  | Andy Beshear | 49.2% D  | Lean D  | Tilt D  | Lean D  | Lean D  | Beshear
52.5% D
Louisiana | R+12  | John Bel Edwards
(term-limited) | 51.3% D  | Lean R (flip) | Likely R (flip) | Likely R (flip) | Safe R (flip) | Landry
51.6% R (flip)
Mississippi | R+11  | Tate Reeves | 51.9% R  | Lean R  | Lean R  | Likely R  | Likely R  | Reeves
50.9% R

## Race summary

[edit]

State  | Incumbent  | Party  | First elected  | Result  | General election

|
|
|
|
|

Kentucky | Andy Beshear | Democratic  | 2019 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Andy Beshear (Democratic) 52.5%
* ▌Daniel Cameron (Republican) 47.5%

Louisiana | John Bel Edwards | Democratic  | 2015 | Incumbent term-limited.
Republican gain.  |

* ▌Y Jeff Landry (Republican) 51.6%
* ▌Shawn Wilson (Democratic) 25.9%
* ▌Stephen Waguespack (Republican) 5.9%
* ▌John Schroder (Republican) 5.3%

Others

* ▌Hunter Lundy (Independent) 4.9%
* ▌Danny Cole (Democratic) 2.6%
* ▌Sharon Hewitt (Republican) 1.7%
* ▌Benjamin Barnes (Independent) 0.5%
* ▌Patrick "Dat" Barthel (Republican) 0.4%
* ▌Richard Nelson (Republican) 0.3%
* ▌Jeffrey Istre (Independent) 0.3%
* ▌Xavier Ellis (Republican) 0.2%
* ▌Keitron Gagnon (Independent) 0.1%
* ▌Xan John (Republican) 0.1%
* ▌Frank Scurlock (Independent) 0.1%

Mississippi | Tate Reeves | Republican  | 2019 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Tate Reeves (Republican) 50.9%
* ▌Brandon Presley (Democratic) 47.7%
* ▌Gwendolyn Gray (Independent) 1.4%

## Closest states

[edit]

States where the margin of victory was between 1% and 5%:

1. Mississippi, 3.24%

States where the margin of victory was between 5% and 10%:

1. Kentucky, 5.07%

Red denotes states won by Republicans. Blue denotes states won by Democrats.

## Kentucky

[edit]

Kentucky gubernatorial election

* * *

<- 2019

2027 ->

Turnout| 38.0%
|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Andy Beshear | Daniel Cameron |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Running mate  | Jacqueline Coleman | Robby Mills
Popular vote  | 694,482 | 627,457
Percentage  | 52.53% | 47.46%

* * *

Beshear: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Cameron: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%

* * *

| Governor before election

Andy Beshear
Democratic

| Elected Governor

Andy Beshear
Democratic

|

Main article: 2023 Kentucky gubernatorial election

Governor Andy Beshear was elected in 2019 with 49.2% of the vote and ran for re-election to a second term.[7] He won the Democratic nomination with little opposition & won the general election.

Attorney general Daniel Cameron, former US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft, state auditor Mike Harmon, and agriculture commissioner Ryan Quarles all ran for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.[7] Cameron was supported by former president Donald Trump, and led every poll leading to the primary, with Craft and Quarles trailing behind him.[8] Cameron won the Republican nomination, becoming the first African American major party gubernatorial nominee in Kentucky's history.[9]

Democratic primary results[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Andy Beshear (incumbent)  | 176,589  | 91.3
| Democratic | Geoff Young | 9,865  | 5.1
| Democratic | Peppy Martin | 6,913  | 3.6
Total votes | 193,367  | 100.0
Republican primary results[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Daniel Cameron | 144,576  | 47.7
| Republican | Ryan Quarles | 65,718  | 21.7
| Republican | Kelly Craft | 52,170  | 17.2
| Republican | Eric Deters  | 17,464  | 5.8
| Republican | Mike Harmon | 7,797  | 2.6
| Republican | Alan Keck  | 7,317  | 2.4
| Republican | David Cooper  | 2,282  | 0.8
| Republican | Jacob Clark  | 1,900  | 0.6
| Republican | Robbie Smith  | 1,388  | 0.5
| Republican | Bob DeVore  | 931  | 0.3
| Republican | Johnny Rice  | 726  | 0.2
| Republican | Dennis Ormerod  | 696  | 0.2
Total votes | 302,965  | 100.0
2023 Kentucky gubernatorial election  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic |

* Andy Beshear (incumbent)
* Jacqueline Coleman (incumbent)

| 694,482  | 52.53%  | +3.33%
| Republican |

* Daniel Cameron
* Robby Mills

| 627,457  | 47.46%  | −1.37%
| Write-in | 82  | 0.01%  | N/A
Total votes  | 1,322,021  | 100.00%  |
| Democratic hold

## Louisiana

[edit]

Main article: 2023 Louisiana gubernatorial election

2023 Louisiana gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 2019 | October 14, 2023 | 2027 ->

|
|

Turnout| 36.3%
|  |  |

|
|

Candidate  | Jeff Landry | Shawn Wilson
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 547,827 | 275,525
Percentage  | 51.6% | 25.9%

* * *

|  |
Candidate  | Stephen Waguespack  | John Schroder
Party  | Republican | Republican
Popular vote  | 62,287  | 56,654
Percentage  | 5.9%  | 5.3%

* * *

Landry: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
Wilson: 40–50% 70–80%

* * *

| Governor before election

John Bel Edwards
Democratic

| Elected Governor

Jeff Landry
Republican

|

Governor John Bel Edwards was re-elected to a second term in 2019 with 51.3% of the vote. He was term-limited by the Louisiana Constitution in 2023, and could not seek reelection for a third consecutive term.

Louisiana utilizes a jungle primary system. Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry was considered the frontrunner. Other candidates included state senator Sharon Hewitt, and Treasurer John Schroder. Democratic Secretary of Transportation Shawn Wilson also ran to succeed Edwards.[11][12]

Landry won with over 51% of the vote in the primary, becoming the first person to win a Louisiana gubernatorial election without a runoff since Bobby Jindal in 2011. Landry easily prevailed over several Republican opponents and the leading Democratic candidate.[13]

2023 Louisiana gubernatorial election[14] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Jeff Landry | 547,827  | 51.56%
| Democratic | Shawn Wilson | 275,525  | 25.93%
| Republican | Stephen Waguespack  | 62,287  | 5.86%
| Republican | John Schroder | 56,654  | 5.33%
| Independent | Hunter Lundy  | 52,165  | 4.91%
| Democratic | Danny Cole  | 27,662  | 2.60%
| Republican | Sharon Hewitt | 18,468  | 1.74%
| Independent | Benjamin Barnes  | 5,190  | 0.49%
| Republican | Dat Barthel  | 4,426  | 0.42%
| Republican | Richard Nelson (withdrawn) | 3,605  | 0.34%
| Independent | Jeffery Istre  | 3,400  | 0.32%
| Republican | Xavier Ellis  | 1,734  | 0.16%
| Independent | Keitron Gagnon  | 1,260  | 0.12%
| Republican | Xan John  | 1,164  | 0.11%
| Independent | Frank Scurlock  | 1,131  | 0.11%
Total votes | 1,062,498  | 100.00%
| Republican gain from Democratic

## Mississippi

[edit]

Mississippi gubernatorial election

* * *

<- 2019

2027 ->

Turnout| 42.6%
|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Tate Reeves | Brandon Presley |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 418,233 | 391,614
Percentage  | 50.9% | 47.7%

* * *

Reeves: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
Presley: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%

* * *

| Governor before election

Tate Reeves
Republican

| Elected Governor

Tate Reeves
Republican

|

Main article: 2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election

Governor Tate Reeves was elected in 2019 with 51.9% of the vote and ran for re-election to a second term.[15]

Democrat Brandon Presley, Mississippi Public Service Commissioner for the Northern District, was the Democratic nominee to challenge Reeves.[16]

Reeves won re-election.

Republican primary results[17] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Tate Reeves (incumbent)  | 281,213  | 74.7
| Republican | John Witcher  | 66,698  | 17.7
| Republican | David Grady Hardigree  | 28,561  | 7.6
Total votes | 376,472  | 100.0
Democratic primary results[18] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Brandon Presley | 196,307  | 100.0
Total votes | 196,307  | 100.0
2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election[19][20] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Tate Reeves (incumbent)  | 418,233  | 50.94  | –0.97
| Democratic | Brandon Presley | 391,614  | 47.70  | +0.87
| Independent | Gwendolyn Gray (withdrawn) | 11,153  | 1.36  | N/A
Total votes  | 821,000  | 100.00  |
| Republican hold

## See also

[edit]

* List of elections in 2023

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Vakil, Caroline (January 2, 2023). "Here are the governors' races to watch in 2023". The Hill. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
2. ^ Jacobson, Louis (June 8, 2023). "Democrats Face Uphill Challenge in Three Off-Year Races for Governor". US News & World Report. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
3. ^ "2024 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
4. ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". insideelections.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
5. ^ "2024 Governor – Sabato's Crystal Ball". Retrieved July 23, 2023.
6. ^ Cunningham, Eric (November 7, 2023). "Final 2023 Gubernatorial Ratings: Kentucky Moves to Leans Democratic, Mississippi is Likely Republican". Elections Daily. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
7. ^ a b "Election Candidate Filings - Governor". web.sos.ky.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
8. ^ "Trump endorses Cameron's bid for governor in Kentucky". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
9. ^ "Daniel Cameron wins Republican primary for Kentucky governor". CBS News. May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
10. ^ a b "May 16, 2023 Official 2023 Primary Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
11. ^ Karlin, Sam (January 9, 2023). "Billy Nungesser to announce he's not running for governor, will seek re-election". The Advocate. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
12. ^ Doyle, Matt (November 19, 2019). "2023 Governor's race could be packed with GOP heavy hitters". Louisiana Radio Network. Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
13. ^ Montellaro, Zach (October 14, 2023). "Landry wins Louisiana governor's race, flipping state red". Politico. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
14. ^ "Official Results for Election Date: 10/14/2023 Governor".
15. ^ Reily, Ross (January 3, 2023). "Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves files for reelection bid". Clarion Ledger.
16. ^ Hernandez, Rachel (January 12, 2023). "Brandon Presley joins race for Mississippi governor". WKRG. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
17. ^ "2023 Republican primary results". Mississippi Secretary of State. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
18. ^ "2023 Democratic primary results". Mississippi Secretary of State. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
19. ^ "Mississippi Governor Election Results". The New York Times. November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
20. ^ "Mississippi Governor". CNN. Retrieved November 20, 2023.

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