ANALYSIS — Governors don’t get as much attention as members of Congress in a city dominated by federal politics. But gubernatorial races are having an impact on Washington as a growing number of lawmakers are leaving Capitol Hill to try to become the chief executive of their own states.
This is a huge cycle for governors, with New Jersey and Virginia hosting races this year and 36 states holding gubernatorial contests next year. Seventeen of those races don’t have incumbents, making it easier for aspiring politicos to run.
At this point, three senators and nine House members are running for governor, including Iowa Rep. Randy Feenstra, who has announced an exploratory bid. And there’s still time for that number to grow.
