Republican Governors Win Control of Majority of 2012 Swing States

Republican Governors have won control of the majority of 2012 swing states. The following states that held gubernatorial races are considered swing states: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The RGA spent $49.5 million in these 10 swing states we deemed critical to 2012.

Of the 10 swing states listed above, 8 had Democratic governors in 2008. President Obama carried every one of the above swing states that had a Democratic governor except for Arizona. With Republicans winning back a majority, President Obama’s 2012 map is much more difficult.

“Republican control of the majority of 2012 swing states is a major roadblock to the President’s re-election and a repudiation of his policies,” said RGA Chairman Haley Barbour. “These states are the bellwethers of the nation, and they’ve sent a firm message to Washington that America wants smaller government and more freedom.”

RGA Congratulates Governor-Elect Paul LePage

The Republican Governors Association congratulates Governor-elect Paul LePage on his election as the next governor of Maine. LePage will be the first Republican governor of Maine elected in more than 20 years. RGA deployed resources of nearly $1.8 million.

“Paul LePage’s message of fiscal sanity and common sense resonated with Maine voters,” said RGA chairman Haley Barbour. “In a difficult three-way race his conservative ideas rose to the top, showing that voters across the nation are tired of out-of-control spending.”

The Republican Governors Association was a key supporter of LePage’s victory beginning in early June, following LePage’s primary win. RGA deployed resources of nearly $1.8 million total into the race.

The RGA ran a series of television ads beginning shortly before Labor Day and continuing through Election Day. Two television ads highlighted Paul LePage’s tremendous life story, including his rise from poverty and his business and government success. RGA also ran two TV ads which focused on Libby Mitchell’s decades in government raising taxes and increasing spending and debt. To close the campaign, RGA ran a television ad comparing Libby Mitchell and Eliot Cutler and their support for job-killing taxes. The last television ad highlighted Cutler’s career as a millionaire Washington, D.C. lobbyist.

The RGA was one of the first observers to recognize independent Eliot Cutler moving past Democrat Libby Mitchell, allowing the RGA to be ready to cut Cutler’s momentum in its tracks. In addition to the TV spots, RGA gave $400,000 to the Maine Republican Party helping to produce one of the most effective absentee balloting programs in recent history as well as a number of direct mail pieces, field offices and staff.

RGA Congratulates Governor-Elect Rick Scott

The Republican Governors Association congratulates Governor-elect Rick Scott on his election as the next governor of Florida. The Republican Governors Association was a key investor in Rick Scott’s campaign, investing a total of $9.8 million.

“The Florida governor’s race was one of the closest watched races in the nation throughout the year because of its importance for our country,” said RGA Executive Director Nick Ayers. “Alex Sink should be commended for running a great race and for allowing Floridians to join together today and begin the hard work of creating jobs. Rick Scott won a hard-earned victory because he had the best vision to grow jobs and the economy. He can begin the hard work of turning Florida around today. ”

The Republican Governors Association was a key investor in Rick Scott’s campaign, investing a total of $9.8 million in the race. While the Republican campaigns were locked in a difficult, competitive primary, the RGA invested to help define Alex Sink early. In addition to helping fund pre- and post-primary television ads, the RGA worked closely with the Scott campaign and the Republican Party of Florida to develop and implement one of the strongest early voting and GOTV programs in the country. The RGA sent a total of $8.3 million to the Republican Party of Florida.

RGA Congratulates Governor Sean Parnell on His Election

The Republican Governors Association congratulates Sean Parnell on his election as governor of Alaska. RGA was a major investor in Parnell’s victory spending more than $700,000.

“Governor Parnell has done an outstanding job during his time as governor which is why he earned election,” said RGA chairman Haley Barbour. “His leadership has helped make Alaska a leader in job creation and has strengthened Alaska’s economy.”

RGA was a major investor in Parnell’s victory spending more than $700,000 in the closing weeks to ensure victory, which included 215,000 mailers, and television and radio advertising.