Interesting fact...

[Woody]

Illinois 2014 is the last time an incumbent Democratic governor lost re-election.

[President Johnson]

Yeah, but that's because 2018 was a strong year for Democrats and John Bel Edwards managed to hang on. Meanwhile, Jim Justice, elected as a Democrat, switched parties before running for reelection in 2020 and Steve Bullock was term-limited. I wonder whether he could have been reelected in 2020 or whether Jay Nixon would have won in 2016?

The streak will most likely be broken in 2022, as I'm sure at least one of Whitmer, Evers or Kelly will be defeated.

[Real Texan Politics]

Yeah, but that's because 2018 was a strong year for Democrats and John Bel Edwards managed to hang on. Meanwhile, Jim Justice, elected as a Democrat, switched parties before running for reelection in 2020 and Steve Bullock was term-limited. I wonder whether he could have been reelected in 2020 or whether Jay Nixon would have won in 2016?

The streak will most likely be broken in 2022, as I'm sure at least one of Whitmer, Evers or Kelly will be defeated.

I'd add Sisolak to that list as well. Certainly a possibility he could go down too.

[Non Swing Voter]

Wonder how many Republican governors have lost since then.  All I can think of off hand is Walker in WI.  Governors do seem to have some of the best re-election records of any politicians it seems.

[Roll Roons]

Wonder how many Republican governors have lost since then.  All I can think of off hand is Walker in WI.  Governors do seem to have some of the best re-election records of any politicians it seems.

Rauner in IL and Bevin in KY. Colyer also lost his primary in KS, but he was unelected so it doesn't quite count.

[Hope For A New Era]

Steve Bullock was term-limited. I wonder whether he could have been reelected in 2020

no, too polarized

or whether Jay Nixon would have won in 2016?

if his outperformance of the top of the ticket remained the same from 2012, then in theory, yes

[Associate Justice PiT]

Wonder how many Republican governors have lost since then.  All I can think of off hand is Walker in WI.  Governors do seem to have some of the best re-election records of any politicians it seems.

     Probably helps that governorships are less partisan than other offices. They are less vulnerable to national trends and swings and more able to buoy their campaigns with personal support than senators are.