Comeback Begins
Comeback Begins
The Republican Governors Association knows our governors will lead the Party’s comeback. The RGA jumpstarted the Republican comeback last year by winning governors’ races in New Jersey and Virginia.
We are now tasked with remaking the political map, with the RGA having 37 governors’ races. By winning the two races last year and the majority of races in 2010, Republican governors will prove the GOP can win races in all regions of the country.
Electing more Republican governors has never been more important. We know Republicans won’t become America’s majority party again until we reclaim the majority of governorships. The RGA has a plan in place to do just that. It began with New Jersey and Virginia and continues with the 37 races this year.
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New Jersey
Republicans made history by defeating a deep-pocketed incumbent Democrat in a so-called blue state by winning the New Jersey governor’s race. Governor-Elect Chris Christie is the first Republican to win the governor’s race since 1997 and his victory margin was the widest for a GOP gubernatorial candidate in more than 20 years.
Virginia
Governor-Elect Bob McDonnell’s victory reversed the GOP’s fortunes in an important swing state that had been trending blue for twelve years. McDonnell led a GOP ticket that swept all three statewide offices for only the second time in history.
Virginians last elected a Republican governor in 1997. Since that time, the state has added one million new residents, nearly half of whom reside in Northern Virginia. Between 2006 and 2008, Democrats picked up both U.S. Senate seats and control of the state senate. Their gains culminated in President Obama winning the state in last year’s presidential election – the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Virginia since 1964.
Shifting the Pendulum of Party Momentum
The wins by Chris Christie and Bob McDonnell give Republicans tremendous momentum this year. The victories mean that RGA now counts among its members 24 governors. The RGA is the only Republican committee to post a net gain since the end of 2006 and RGA has a plan to reclaim a majority of governorships by the end of the year.
The four-year plan instituted by GOP governors in January 2007 resulted in the RGA carrying forward record resources. With 37 races set to take place, the 2010 electoral playing field will be the most expansive in history. Our strategic plan ensures we will not miss any opportunities.
The Impact of 2010
The RGA believes Republicans won’t win back the U.S. Senate, House or Presidency until first reclaiming a majority of governorships for the GOP. Governors are the leading political figures in their states and can have tremendous impact on down-ballot races. Moreover, they are able to build and organize the critical state Party infrastructure needed to win close elections.
Redistricting
The results of the 2009-2010 elections will have an even bigger than usual political impact because governors and state legislatures will be redrawing legislative districts in 2011. In many states, governors have tremendous influence in determining redistricting.