DES MOINES, Iowa – Republican governors huddled over national maps with a political strategist. Democrats raised cash at a high-rise fundraiser.
This state is known for narrowing the field of presidential contenders. But elections closer to home caught the attention of dozens of governors gathered here yesterday for their summer meeting – the campaigns for governor next year.
Three of every four states elect their leaders in 2006, putting in play a nationwide contest for control of the states that will shape domestic policy and, many strategists contend, play a part in the presidential race.
"People recognize that 2006 is the Super Bowl of governors races," said Iowa's Tom Vilsack, a two-term Democratic governor who is not seeking re-election. "You've got governors races in all parts of the country, you've got them in very key, very critical states that will play a crucial role in 2008."
Republicans hold a majority of governors seats, 28 to Democrats' 22. Democrats are defending the only two races this fall, open seats in New Jersey and Virginia.
But next year, 24 of the 36 contests will be for seats now held by the GOP. All six of the term-limited seats are held by Republicans. Vilsack's retirement will create the lone open Democratic seat.
That makes the odds likelier that Republicans will lose seats.
"There's no question the landscape is not favorable," said GOP Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, who is deciding between seeking a second term or making a bid for the presidency.
The largest states will see contests. Florida has an open seat because GOP Gov. Jeb Bush is limited by law to two four-year terms. New York's three-term Gov. George Pataki, a Republican, is exploring a possible presidential bid while popular Democratic Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is raising millions for his shot at governor. California GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who won his seat in a recall election that ousted the former Democratic governor, has seen his popularity numbers drop.
Several freshmen governors will face tough tests, including Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a rising Democratic star. Dick DeVos, the son of a co-founder of Amway Corp. with a personal fortune at the ready, has said he will run.
And governors' impact on presidential politics is never out of the picture, with elections in swing states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Colorado. National and issue-oriented groups are all strategizing.
"We're very focused on these governors races," Karen White, executive director of Emily's List, said from Washington. Her group works to elect pro-choice Democratic women.
Her group expects to raise more than 2004, when they spent nearly $11 million. The Republican Governors Association aims to spend at least $30 million. Democrats didn't provide a number.
