There’s A Chance 2020 Won’t Give Us Any New Female Governors
Although women have made gains in state legislatures and the U.S. Congress over the past several decades, only 44 women have ever served as the governors of their states, and 20 states have yet to have a woman serve in this role.
This cycle, just 11 governorships are up for grabs, and only three of the major-party candidates are women. In Delaware, Julianne Murray won an open Republican primary to take on the Democratic incumbent, John Carney. In North Dakota, Shelley Lenz ran uncontested in the Democratic primary to take on the Republican incumbent, Doug Burgum. And in Missouri, Nicole Galloway handily won a crowded Democratic primary to take on the Republican incumbent, Mike Parson. If Lenz or Galloway wins her race, she would be the first woman to lead her state. However, Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates Lenz’s race as “Likely R,” and Galloway’s as “Leans R.” (Murray’s race is a “Safe D.”) So, there’s a good chance that women won’t make any gubernatorial gains in 2020.