Brad Henry and Dave Freudenthal

[IceSpear]

How did these two happen? Probably the two most conservative states in the country voting Democratic by overwhelming margins. I know 2006 was a good year for Democrats due to backlash against Bush and the Iraq War, but both of those had healthy approval ratings in Wyoming (and I'm assuming Oklahoma as well) in 2006. Freudenthal even won Republicans and almost won conservatives:

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/WY/G/00/epolls.0.html

[RedSLC]

In their initial elections, Freudenthal benefited from having a small electorate and a weaker-than-normal opponent. As for Henry, it comes down to: Oklahoma not yet having fully republicanized at the state level, and the presence of a well-funded indie candidate that most certainly acted as a spoiler.

Come 2006, both men had used their time in office to amp up their approvals, and combined with a national democratic wave, were easily able to ride to victory.

[IceSpear]

In their initial elections, Freudenthal benefited from having a small electorate and a weaker-than-normal opponent. As for Henry, it comes down to: Oklahoma not yet having fully republicanized at the state level, and the presence of a well-funded indie candidate that most certainly acted as a spoiler.

Come 2006, both men had used their time in office to amp up their approvals, and combined with a national democratic wave, were easily able to ride to victory.

But how did they amp up their approvals? It seems like it would be pretty hard to do with an electorate that approves of Bush and the Iraq War (and you're a Democrat).

[windjammer]

These states are rural states so they love their incumbent, and they have not a liberal record. After all républicans have both control of the chambers.

[Miles]

These states are rural states so they love their incumbent, and they have not a liberal record. After all républicans have both control of the chambers.

The OK legislature was actually still Democratic when Henry was first elected.

[windjammer]

I know but the oklahoma demoxratic party wasn't pushing a liberal agenda

[CatoMinor]

The environment was pretty toxic for the GOP and the Dem governors in those states were popular.

[Kevin]

Figure for  many of the same reason that GOP governors in states like MA, CA, and VT happened.

I.e. both Henry and Freudenthal managed to break out of the political/ideological mold thy were cast in.  And were able to cast their values, idea's and polices along the lines of something acceptable to the electorate in places like OK and WY.

Also never underestimate the power of local issues  to attract voters regardless of affiliation in spite of national ones.

[TX Conservative Dem]

On Henry's watch, the OK House fell to Republicans in 2004 and in 2008, the OK State Senate went Republican

[sg0508]

Gov. races are far less partisan and thus, the minority party often controls many statehouses.  Sometimes, if the majority party has a nasty primary that yields someone to far left or right, the more moderate candidate from the minority party wins.  Third parties can do that too.

See also Sebelius in KS in 2002, Douglas in VT in 2002 and the string of Democratic governors now in MT.