Open seats in the 2019 state executive elections
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Thirty-six state executive offices were up for election across three states—Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi—in 2019. Those offices included three gubernatorial seats, three lieutenant gubernatorial seats, three attorney general seats, and three secretary of state seats. There were also 24 down-ballot races.
Out of those 36 offices on the ballot in 2019, 15—or 41.7%—were open seats, meaning the incumbent did not file to run for re-election. In districts where the incumbent legislator does not file for re-election, the seat is guaranteed to a newcomer.[1]
States compared by open seats
The map below shows the number of retiring state executive incumbents by state in 2019. A darker shade of green indicates a greater number of retiring incumbents. In those states shaded in gray, regular state executive elections were not scheduled to occur in 2019.
| Total number of incumbent state executive officials retiring, 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Total seats up for election | Democratic retirements | Republican retirements | Total retirements |
| Kentucky | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Louisiana | 15 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Mississippi | 14 | 2 | 7 | 9 |
Historical context
The chart below shows the percentage of open state executive seats in odd-year elections from 2015 to 2019. 2017 saw the highest percentage of open state executive seats.
The map below shows the percentage change in number of retirements per state between 2015 and 2019. Blue indicates an increase in the number of retirements, with a darker shade indicating a greater increase. Red indicates a decrease in the number of retirements, with a darker shade indicating a greater decrease. Hover your mouse over a particular state (or tap it if using a touchscreen) to view specific retirement figures for that state as well as the percentage change between 2015 and 2019. The retirement rate increased in two states and decreased in one state.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Kentucky governors and lieutenant governors run on a joint ticket. For the purposes of this analysis, they were considered two separate offices.
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