State executive offices up for election in 2024 include 11 gubernatorial seats, nine lieutenant gubernatorial seats, 10 attorney general seats, and seven secretary of state seats. Including down-ballot races, there are 163 state executive seats up for election across 30 states in 2024.^[1]

State executives act in many capacities according to the powers granted to them by their state's constitution. They are also charged with implementing and enforcing laws made by state legislatures. There are 748 executive offices spread across 13 distinct types of offices in the United States.^[2] Of the 13 executive offices, only seven exist in all 50 states: governor, attorney general, superintendent of schools, insurance commissioner, agriculture commissioner, labor commissioner, and public service commissioner.

Other common offices include lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, controller, auditor, and natural resources commissioner.

In 2022, 307 state executive offices were up for election across 44 states. Twenty offices changed party control, including two previously held Republican lieutenant governorships that changed parties because the governor and lieutenant governor ran on a joint ticket. Of the 18 offices which changed partisan control due to direct election, 10 switched from Democrat to Republican, seven switched from Republican to Democrat, and one nonpartisan official was succeeded by a Republican. A total of 26 incumbents seeking re-election to state executive offices were defeated, with 10 of those losing in the general election and 16 losing in their party's primary or nominating convention.

In 2020, 171 state executive offices were up for election across 29 states. Twenty-one offices changed partisan control. Republicans gained a net four offices and Democrats lost a net three. Twelve offices flipped from Democratic to Republican control, eight flipped from Republican to Democratic control, and one flipped from minor-party to Democratic control. Fifteen incumbents seeking re-election to state executive offices were defeated, with 12 of those losing in the general election and three losing in their party's primary or nominating convention.

While this page includes links to pages on state executive elections in the U.S. Territories, it does not include the territories in its statistics.

Offices up for election

Governor

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There are 11 gubernatorial seats up for election in 2024.

Out of all top state executive offices, only the governor and attorney general exist in all 50 states, and only the governor is elected in all 50 states. As the chief executive officer, the governor is among the most powerful figures in state government. Other executive offices ordinarily report to him or her.

Lieutenant Governor

There are nine lieutenant gubernatorial seats on the ballot in 2024.

In 45 states, the lieutenant governor is the second-highest executive office, behind the governor. Although the powers and duties of the lieutenant governor vary from state to state, lieutenant governors are responsible for filling vacancies in the office of governor. In many states, lieutenant governors often sit on boards or commissions, and they are often involved in the proceedings of the state Senate.

Attorney General

There are 10 attorney general seats on the ballot in 2024.

As the state's chief legal officer, the attorney general is responsible for enforcing state law and advising the state government on legal matters. In many states, attorneys general play a large role in the law enforcement process.

Secretary of State

There are seven secretary of state seats on the ballot in 2024.

Although the duties and powers of the secretary of state vary from state to state, a common responsibility is management and oversight of elections and voter rolls, which are assigned to the secretary of state in 41 states. Other common responsibilities include registration of businesses, maintenance of state records, and certification of official documents.

Down-ballot

There are 126 down-ballot state executive seats up for election in 2024.

Auditor

Commissioners

Agriculture Commissioner

Insurance Commissioner

Public Service Commissioner

Other commissioners

Education officials

Board of Education

Board of Regents

Superintendent

Other education officials

New Mexico (public education commissioner)

Treasurer

Other officials

Trifectas

See also: State government trifectas

State government trifecta is a term to describe single-party government, when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.

As of January 4, 2024, there are 22 Republican trifectas, 17 Democratic trifectas, and 11 divided governments where neither party holds trifecta control.

Triplexes

See also: State government triplexes

A state government triplex is a term used to describe when a state's governor, attorney general, and secretary of state are all members of the same party.

As of January 4, 2024, there are 24 Republican triplexes, 20 Democratic triplexes, and 6 divided governments where neither party holds triplex control.

Important dates and deadlines

The following table details 2024 statewide filing deadlines and primary dates. The signature filing deadline is the date by which candidates must file nominating signatures with election officials in order to have their name placed on the ballot.

Primary dates and filing deadlines, 2024
State	Primary date	Primary runoff date	Filing deadline for primary candidates	Source
Alabama	3/5/2024	4/16/2024	11/10/2023	Source
Alaska	8/20/2024	N/A	6/1/2024	Source
Arizona	8/6/2024	N/A	4/8/2024	Source
Arkansas	3/5/2024	4/2/2024	11/14/2023	Source
California	3/5/2024	N/A	12/8/2023	Source
Colorado	6/25/2024	N/A	3/19/2024	Source
Connecticut	8/13/2024	N/A	6/11/2024	Source
Delaware	9/10/2024	N/A	7/9/2024	Source
Florida	8/20/2024	N/A	4/26/2024^[3]	Source
Georgia	5/21/2024	6/18/2024	3/8/2024	Source
Hawaii	8/10/2024	N/A	6/4/2024	Source
Idaho	5/21/2024	N/A	3/15/2024	Source
Illinois	3/19/2024	N/A	12/4/2023	Source
Indiana	5/7/2024	N/A	2/9/2024	Source
Iowa	6/4/2024	N/A	3/15/2024^[4]	Source
Kansas	8/6/2024	N/A	6/3/2024	Source
Kentucky	5/21/2024	N/A	1/5/2024	Source
Louisiana	11/5/2024	N/A	7/19/2024	Source
Maine	6/11/2024	N/A	3/15/2024	Source
Maryland	5/14/2024	N/A	2/9/2024	Source
Massachusetts	9/3/2024	N/A	5/7/2024	Source
Michigan	8/6/2024	N/A	4/23/2024	Source
Minnesota	8/13/2024	N/A	6/4/2024	Source
Mississippi	3/12/2024	4/2/2024	1/12/2024	Source
Missouri	8/6/2024	N/A	3/26/2024	Source
Montana	6/4/2024	N/A	3/11/2024	Source
Nebraska	5/14/2024	N/A	3/1/2024^[5]	Source
Nevada	6/11/2024	N/A	3/15/2024^[6]	Source
New Hampshire	9/10/2024	N/A	6/14/2024	Source
New Jersey	6/4/2024	N/A	3/25/2024	Source
New Mexico	6/4/2024	N/A	2/6/2024^[7]	Source
New York	6/25/2024	N/A	4/4/2024	Source
North Carolina	3/5/2024	5/14/2024	12/15/2023	Source
North Dakota	6/11/2024	N/A	4/8/2024	Source
Ohio	3/19/2024	N/A	12/20/2023	Source
Oklahoma	6/18/2024	8/27/2024	4/5/2024	Source
Oregon	5/21/2024	N/A	3/14/2024	Source
Pennsylvania	4/23/2024	N/A	2/13/2024	Source
Rhode Island	9/10/2024	N/A	TBD	Source
South Carolina	6/11/2024	6/25/2024	4/1/2024	Source
South Dakota	6/4/2024	7/30/2024	3/26/2024	Source
Tennessee	8/1/2024	N/A	4/4/2024	Source
Texas	3/5/2024	5/28/2024	12/11/2023	Source
Utah	6/25/2024	N/A	1/8/2024	Source
Vermont	8/13/2024	N/A	5/30/2024	Source
Virginia^[8]	6/18/2024	N/A	4/4/2024	Source
Washington	8/6/2024	N/A	5/10/2024	Source
West Virginia	5/14/2024	N/A	1/27/2024	Source
Wisconsin	8/13/2024	N/A	6/3/2024	Source
Wyoming	8/20/2024	N/A	5/31/2024	Source

Historical election data

Ballotpedia covers America's 748 state executive seats across all 50 states. The following sections look at incumbency and partisanship in state executive elections from 2011 to 2023.

Incumbency

From 2011 to 2023, 64.3% of incumbents sought re-election. Of the incumbents who sought re-election during that period, 86.5% were successful. The first chart below shows the number of incumbents who sought election each year compared to the number of seats up for election. The second chart shows the number of incumbents who were re-elected compared to the number of incumbents who ran for re-election.

The table below is organized by year and includes the total number of offices up for election, the number and percentage of incumbents who sought re-election, and the number and percentage of incumbents who won another term.

State executive incumbents who sought re-election, 2011-2023
Year	Total seats	Incumbents who sought re-election	% incumbents who sought re-election	Incumbents who were re-elected	% incumbents who were re-elected
2023	36	19	52.8%	17	89.5%
2022	305	209	68.5%	183	87.6%
2021	7	3	42.9%	2	66.7%
2020	166	106	63.9%	91	85.8%
2019	36	21	58.3%	20	95.2%
2018	298	184	61.7%	149	81.0%
2017	8	3	37.5%	2	66.7%
2016	93	51	54.8%	40	78.4%
2015	25	16	64.0%	15	93.8%
2014	226	152	67.3%	139	91.4%
2013	6	3	50.0%	3	100.0%
2012	94	67	71.3%	59	88.1%
2011	26	19	73.1%	18	94.7%
Total	1,326	853	64.3%	738	86.5%

Partisanship

The table below details how many state executive seats changed parties from 2011 to 2023. The largest single-year gain by a party was in 2018, when Democrats gained 41 net seats. That year also had the highest number of seats up for election, with 303. The lowest net change was in 2011, when no parties gained or lost any seats. Twenty-six seats were on the ballot that year. The table is organized by year and shows the number of seats held by each party before the election and after the election and the net change each party saw.

State executive partisanship, 2011-2023
Year	Total seats	Before election			After election			Net change
Year	Total seats	Democrats	Republicans	Other	Democrats	Republicans	Other	Democrats	Republicans	Other
2023	307	7	29	0	6	30	0	-1	+1	0
2022	307	125	156	26	124	158	25	-1	+2	-1
2021	7	5	1	1	2	4	1	-3	+3	0
2020	171	59	71	41	56	75	40	-3	+4	-1
2019	36	8	28	0	7	29	0	-1	+1	0
2018	303	81	184	38	122	143	38	+41	-41	0
2017	8	3	4	1	5	2	1	+2	-2	0
2016	93	50	39	3	37	53	2	-13	+14	-1
2015	25	8	16	1	6	19	0	-2	+3	-1
2014	226	79	144	3	67	156	3	-12	+12	0
2013	6	0	5	1	3	2	1	+3	-3	0
2012	94	50	38	6	49	42	3	-1	+4	-3
2011	26	9	17	0	9	17	0	0	0	0

Partisan control of governorships

The chart below looks at the number of governorships held by the Democratic and Republican parties between 1977 and 2023. The biggest difference between the number of seats held by Democrats compared to those held by Republicans was in 1977 and 1978, when Democrats held 37 seats and Republicans held 12. The lowest difference between the number of seats held by Democrats compared to those held by Republicans was in 1987, 2003, and 2019. In 1987, Democrats held 26 governorships and Republicans held 24; in both 2003 and 2019, Democrats held 24 governorships and Republicans held 26. Republicans gained one governorship in both the 2020 and 2021 elections. Democrats gained two net governorships in 2022. Republicans gained one net governorship in 2023.

Footnotes

↑ Ballotpedia describes the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state as top-ballot state executive offices. Down-ballot state executive offices that exist in all 50 states include superintendent of schools, insurance commissioner, agriculture commissioner, labor commissioner, and public service commissioner. Examples of other down-ballot state executive offices include treasurer, auditor, and comptroller.
↑ There are 13 state executive offices as Ballotpedia defines the term, however there are other executive offices in some states that are not covered by Ballotpedia.
↑ This deadline was for the following offices: U.S. Congress, state attorney, public defender, state supreme court, district appeals court, circuit court. The filing deadline for state senator, state representative, county office, and special districts was 6/14/2024.
↑ This deadline was for U.S. Congress and state offices. The filing deadline for county offices was 3/22/2024.
↑ This filing deadline is for non-incumbents. Incumbents must file by 2/15/2024.
↑ This filing deadline is for non-judicial candidates. Judicial candidates must file by 1/12/2024.
↑ This deadline was for candidates seeking pre-primary designation. The filing deadline for all other candidates was 3/12/2024.
↑ In Virginia, the Democratic and Republican parties form committees to decide on the method of nomination used for congressional races. These non-primary methods of nomination may take place on a date other than the statewide primary.

[1] Ballotpedia describes the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state as top-ballot state executive offices. Down-ballot state executive offices that exist in all 50 states include superintendent of schools, insurance commissioner, agriculture commissioner, labor commissioner, and public service commissioner. Examples of other down-ballot state executive offices include treasurer, auditor, and comptroller.

[2] There are 13 state executive offices as Ballotpedia defines the term, however there are other executive offices in some states that are not covered by Ballotpedia.

[3] This deadline was for the following offices: U.S. Congress, state attorney, public defender, state supreme court, district appeals court, circuit court. The filing deadline for state senator, state representative, county office, and special districts was 6/14/2024.

[4] This deadline was for U.S. Congress and state offices. The filing deadline for county offices was 3/22/2024.

[5] This filing deadline is for non-incumbents. Incumbents must file by 2/15/2024.

[6] This filing deadline is for non-judicial candidates. Judicial candidates must file by 1/12/2024.

[7] This deadline was for candidates seeking pre-primary designation. The filing deadline for all other candidates was 3/12/2024.

[8] In Virginia, the Democratic and Republican parties form committees to decide on the method of nomination used for congressional races. These non-primary methods of nomination may take place on a date other than the statewide primary.

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State executive official elections, 2024

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