Not to Be Ignored: How Governor Races Could Shape US

The intense battle for the U.S. Senate has understandably dominated the country's attention for the 2014 midterm elections.

But 36 states and three U.S. territories will be electing governors Nov. 4, and the outcome of those races will go a long way toward shaping the country's economic and political environment.

Currently, Republicans are in charge in 29 statehouses, Democrats in 21. Republican control in key states such as Texas, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania helped influence the drawing of national congressional districts following the 2010 census.

Because governors are chief executives, they often receive strong consideration from voters during presidential election years, since the president is the nation's chief executive.

Stephen Moore, chief economist at the Heritage Foundation, talks about why the Illinois governor's race is so important, and why Illinois could end up like Detroit.

Republican Gains/Losses

One spotlight contest is in Kansas, where Republican Gov. Sam Brownback is in a tough re-election fight against his Democratic challenger Paul Davis, as well as some moderate Republicans who don't like his plans for sustained tax cuts as a way to grow the state's economy.

If Brownback wins and the Kansas economy benefits, other governors may take a closer look.

The GOP has its hands full this year, trying to re-elect governors in four states with large populations: Florida, Pennsyvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 

Beleaguered Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker faces the voters for the third time in four years, as the leaders of government employee unions, who failed in their attempt to dislodge Walker in a recall eleciton, now seek to oust him again as his first term ends.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is up against former Gov. Charlie Crist. Crist is a Republican-turned Independent-turned Democrat, and the contest has been tight for months.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has a narrow lead in a recent poll over Democrat Mark Schauer, while Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett trails Democrat Tom Wolf by a double-digit margin.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich appears to be headed to a second term, leading his challenger Ed Fitzgerald by more than 20 points.

In Texas, Republican Greg Abbott should succeed retiring four-term Gov. Rick Perry, after a disastrous campaign run by Democrat Wendy Davis.

Democrat Gains/Losses

Democrats face their own worries in deep blue states that may be poised to go Republican, including Illinois, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

In heavily Democratic Illinois, Gov. Pat Quinn is running neck and neck with Republican challenger, wealthy businessman Bruce Rauner. While Rauner pounds away at the systemic corruption and stifling tax burden in President Barack Obama's home state, the Quinn team blasts Rauner for his wealth.

In Massachusetts, Republican Charlie Baker leads Democrat Martha Coakley in the race to succeed Gov. Deval Patrick.

High taxes threaten the re-election of Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy against Republican Tom Foley.

Taxes are also an issue in Maryland, where Democrat Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown was forced to pledge no revenue hikes after his GOP opponent Larry Hogan charged the O'Malley-Brown administration in Annapolis with levying 40 different taxes.

Rhode Island is another New England state flirting with the idea of a Republican governor. Cranston Mayor Allen Fung only narrowly trails Democrat Gina Raimondo.

Californians, who elect almost no Republicans to high statewide office, appear ready to re-elect Jerry Brown, their 76-year-old governor.

And New Yorkers will give another nod to Andrew Cuomo, although not without some complaining by both Republicans and Democrats.