1991 United States gubernatorial elections

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 5, 1991, in three states and one territory. Prior to the elections, Democrats held two seats and Republicans held one. The national balance of power did not change as a result of the elections, but the balance of power shifted in two states.

1991 United States gubernatorial elections

← 1990 October 19, November 5 and 16, 1991 1992 →

4 governorships
3 states; 1 territory
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Seats before 28[a] 20[b]
Seats after 28 20
Seat change Steady Steady
Seats up 2 1
Seats won 2 1

1991 Kentucky gubernatorial election1991 Louisiana gubernatorial election1991 Mississippi gubernatorial election
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican gain

Election results

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In Kentucky, the incumbent governor, Wallace Wilkinson, was term limited. Lieutenant Governor Brereton C. Jones was the candidate for the Democrats and ran against Representative Larry J. Hopkins.[1]

State Incumbent Party First
elected
Result Candidates
Kentucky Wallace Wilkinson Democratic 1987 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic hold.
Louisiana Buddy Roemer Republican 1987[b] Incumbent eliminated in primary.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.
Mississippi Ray Mabus Democratic 1987 Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.

Closest races

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States where the margin of victory was under 5%:

  1. Mississippi, 3.2%

Notes

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  1. ^ Howard Dean (D) succeeded Vermont Governor Richard A. Snelling (R) who died in office in August 1991.
  2. ^ a b Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer was elected as a Democrat in 1987, but switched to the Republican Party in March 1991.

References

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  1. ^ Ayres, Jr., B. Drummond (November 2, 1991). "Kentucky Race for Governor Leaves Voters Yawning". The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2024.