I am a Midwesterner at heart so I like to keep tabs on this stuff. A lot of these races are very close, and a the outcomes of these races could have a lot to do with weather or not clean energy jobs come to this area. In almost all cases the republicans have completely abandoned this great source of jobs because they are beholden to the coal and oil industry. These are going to be close elections, so if you care about green jobs, if you care about climate change, if you care about progressive policies get out there and vote.

Midwest governor races
Out of ten Midwest states, eight governor seats are up for election. Currently, the Midwest has seven democratic governors, but it isn’t looking good for incumbents. Some of the races are very close and right now out of the eight races, only one has a Democrat leading (MN) and that is only by about two points. The other seven are either toss ups or leans republican. It is worth noting that – though still behind in the polls – the Dems in WI, IL, and OH have made significant jumps in the last couple of weeks. The democratic incumbent in IA has actually slipped a couple of points. Details on these races below.

Midwest Governors Association (MGA) Greenhouse Gas Accord
The MGA process is at a standstill as everyone waits for the outcome of the elections. All six participating states have elections this November and it is certain that we will get four new governors (incumbents not running) and possible that we will get all six seats as new governors.

Big news
It was just announced that one of the nation’s largest solar farms is to be developed near Zanesville, OH and local manufacturers will supply all the components. AEP will buy the power for 20 years. Construction is supposed to start in 2012 and the project is expected to create 300 permanent jobs, another 300 construction jobs. Gov. Strickland played a big role in this project’s feasibility.

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MGA states gubernatorial races 2010
Updated: Oct 20

MN: Mark Dayton (D) leading Tom Emmer (R) “Toss Up”
Democrat Mark Dayton and Republican Tom Emmer are still in a virtual tie in Minnesota’s gubernatorial contest. The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Dayton picking up 40% of the vote, while Emmer draws support from 38%. Independence Party candidate Tom Horner remains a distant third with 15%. One percent (1%) prefer a different candidate, and five percent (5%) are still undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

WI: Scott Walker (R) leading Tom Barrett (D) “Leans Republican”
Republican Scott Walker now holds a nine-point lead over Milwaukee’s Democratic Mayor Tom Barrett in the race to be Wisconsin’s next governor. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Walker earning 51% of the vote, while Barrett receives 42% support. One percent (1%) favors another candidate, and six percent (6%) are undecided.

MI: Rick Snyder (R) leading Virg Bernero (D) “Solid Republican”
Republican businessman Rick Snyder holds a 20-point lead over Lansing’s Democratic Mayor Virg Bernero in the contest to be Michigan’s next governor. It’s the widest gap in the race to date.

IA: Terry Branstad (R) leading Chet Culver (D) incumbent “Solid Republican”
Republican Terry Branstad maintains a double-digit lead against Democratic incumbent Chet Culver in Iowa’s gubernatorial race. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Branstad earning 55% support to Culver’s 37%. Four percent (4%) favor some other candidate, while four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey questions, click here.) This race remains Solid GOP in the Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 Gubernatorial Scorecard.

IL: Bill Brady (R) leading Pat Quinn (D) incumbent “Leans Republican”
Republican State Senator Bill Brady now leads Democratic Governor Pat Quinn by just six points in Illinois’ crowded gubernatorial contest. The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey finds Brady earning 46% of the vote, while Quinn picks up 40%. Democrat-turned-independent Scott Lee Cohen gets four percent (4%) support, and Green Party candidate Rich Whitney has the backing of two percent (2%). Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate, and three percent (3%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

IN: no race, Mitch Daniels (R) up for re-election 2012 – likely run for President

OH: John Kasich (R) leading Ted Strickland (D) incumbent “Toss Up”
The race for governor of Ohio appears to be tightening. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Ohio shows Republican John Kasich barely ahead of incumbent Democratic Governor Ted Strickland 48% to 45%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate in the race, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

MO: no race, Jay Nixon (D) up for re-election 2012

SD: Dennis Daugaard (R) leading Scott Heidepriem (D) “Leans Republican”
Republican Dennis Daugaard continues to sit comfortably ahead of Democrat Scott Heidepriem in the South Dakota gubernatorial race. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds Daugaard earning support from 57% of the state’s Likely Voters, while Heidepriem picks up 33% of the vote. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, and six percent (6%) are not sure.

KS: Sam Brownback (R) leading Tom Holland (D)
There are still no surprises in Kansas’ gubernatorial race, with Republican Sam Brownback continuing to hold a substantial lead over Democrat Tom Holland at 54% to 34%.