Currently, Republicans have 24 of the 50 Governorships but that number is expected to rise this year. Stuart Rothenberg, a political anaylst for Roll Call, predicts that Republicans should win at least an additional 8 Governorships. There are 37 Gubernatorial races this election cycle which is a record number. The importance of holding the Governorships this term is more than usual due to the redistricting of Congressional seats. States with a strong chance of having a Republican Governor are also likely to have well funded Republican Congressional candidates. Democrats are also more likely to fund Democratic Congressional candidates running in states that are likely to have a Democratic Governor. The reason is that the seats are less likely to be altered in redistricting.
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