Alcon's 2005/2006 Election Projection Thread - Governors

[jimrtex]

Colorado
Outlook: Weak Lean Republican
Term limits have ousted popular Republican Bill Owens from the Colorado Governor's seat and produced yet another competitive open-seat race in a state that is becoming more competitive on the state and national level.

Congressman Bob Beauprez, a Republican representing the northern Denver suburbs, is the likely GOP nominee against the slightly less solidified Democratic challenger, Denver mayor John Hickenlooper. In a state where suburbs are an important and Republican-leaning voting block, one initially has to give Beauprez the advantage, albeit a narrow one.

Now, if freshman Senator Ken Salazar runs, which is rumoured, th Democrats might have a small advantage here. Keep an eye on this one.

Beauprez's district is actually western and eastern suburbs, connected by an area of northern suburbs.   Being from Denver would be a negative in most of the state.  And I'd think there would be a backlash for a senator running for governor 2 years into his first term. 

[jimrtex]

Texas
Outlook: Strong Lean Republican
Texas may be one of the most Republican states in the Union, but that hasn't much helped incumbent Rick Perry. He has managed to accumulate a 10-point disapproval rating and a major movement for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, who is an extremely popular figure in Texas politics, to replace him. I tend to think that even Perry would probably be able to defeat even a good Democrat solely because of Texas' Republicanness, but there's a chance of an upset. On the other hand, Hutchinson would likely beat any challenger to a pulp.

Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn (ex-Rylander) is expected to announce for Governor this weekend.   Ag Commissioner Susan Combs annonce for the Comptroller position a couple of weeks ago.  Hutchison is expected to make a decision after the current legislative process is completed (the legislative session is over, but it is still in the period where Perry can sign or veto legislation passed at the end of the session).