Who are some semi-plausible 2014 gubernatorial candidates who could win?

[hopper]

Iowa: Braley, Vilsack and Culver have all been floated. But given that Branstad's approvals have looked a lot better from non-PPP sources, they may choose not to run.

Michigan: Hansen Clarke or Ving Bergano?

Ohio: Probably Cordray's seat as Mr X has suggested, but Strickland or Ryan could make a run as well. Or maybe even Kuninich.

Pennsylvania: People have floated Sestak, what about Holden or Altmire who have lost their House seats?

Wisconsin: Only Feingold could really test him here. I feel that Kind will run for Johnson's seat in 2016.

South Carolina: Sheheen? I don't see any other real candidates, lol.

Florida: Many people can run here and have a good chance of winning - Crist, Sink, Rich, maybe even DWS or Grayson

Texas: Maybe try Bill White or Chet Edwards?

Arizona: Goddard probably, though Giffords should run if she's mostly recovered.

Nebraska: Looks like Sheehy's running here.

Arkansas: Although the Democrats are struggling here, I think Ross and McDaniel are stronger candidates than anything the Republicans have to offer.

Maryland: Brown's probably favoured, although Franchot and Gansler could get the nomination as well. I don't see any Reps who could win here except maybe Steele or Erlich.

Massachusetts: Probably Murray's seat, though I can see Brown running if he loses to Warren.

Maine: Cutler can run as an Independent, or Pingree (both?) or Michaud can run as Dems.

Connecticut: Foley appears to be running again, though it'll probably be easier for the Reps if they run Simmons or Shays.

Hawaii: Djou?

Rhode Island: Don't know. Robatille will probably get the R nomination, though.

Maryland-No Elrich isn't running again. He only ran again for Governor in 2010 because he saw it was going to be a huge Republican year. Steele-maybe maybe not. Maryland has only had one Republican Governor since the decade of the 70's and that was Elrich from 2003-2006.

Arizona-Giffords is going for McCain's US Senate seat wether McCain retires or not in 2016 I believe.

Connecticut-It looks like a pick-up for the R's right now.

[hopper]

OH: Kasich is pretty unpopular and could be beaten by a number of Ohio Democrats, but Richard Cordray pretty much has the right of first refusal here.  And barring some sort of massive unforeseeable event or scandal, Cordray would beat Kasich.  In fact, Cordray would be favored even if Kasich weren't so unpopular, but since he is, he may well be DOA (although it's too early to make that assumption atm).

Florida: Rod Smith seems like he might be a strong statewide candidate.  Buddy Dyer is another possibility.  Clarence is right that it won't be Crist.  But whoever the Democratic nominee is, it is important to remember that they will probably be running against Rick Scott (Scott probably has enough tea-party support to survive any primary challenge and doesn't strike me as someone who would agree to not run for reelection for the good of the Republican party).  This may end up canceling out many of the usual disadvantages Democrats face when running in statewide elections in Florida.  In any event, the bar for how strong a Democrat needs to be to win this race is much lower in this race than it normally is in Florida.

Pennsylvania: Some of this depends on who wins the statewide offices that are up this year. 

Michigan: Idk, but given the natural Democratic tilt of the state, I have a hard time imagining that the state Democratic party is too weak to find an electable candidate here.  2010 was a fluke.

Michigan is a swing state.  Gore only carried it by 5 points in 2000 and Kerry only took it by 3 points in 2004.  Obama's margin in 2008 was the real fluke.  Gov. Snyder has said that he won't run again if he accomplishes what he wants to by the next election.  I predict Bill Schuette will get the GOP nomination and win the general election.

So basically Snyder is pulling a Matt Blunt in leaving when he accomplishes everything that he want to accomplish. I thought it would be hard for a Republican to win the governorship after or when Snyder decides to leave.