Democrats Continue to Win Republican Seats

Washington, D.C. – Gov.-elect Jay Nixon today surprised no one when he soundly defeated Republican Congressman Kenny Hulshof in Missouri’s gubernatorial race. Democratic Governors Association (DGA) Chair Gov. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) congratulated him on his impressive victory.

“Throughout his campaign, Jay Nixon connected with hard-working Missourians by offering a clear vision for the positive change they’re hungry for,” Gov. Manchin said. “Today Missouri took a giant step forward, and with Jay Nixon as Governor, Missouri will take many more steps forward in the years to come. We look forward to having Jay join the ranks of the Democratic Governors.”

DGA Executive Director Nathan Daschle said, “Jay Nixon’s campaign will be studied as a model for statewide elections in the years to come. Governor-elect Nixon ran a nearly flawless campaign and now stands with a commanding majority of Missourians as they begin their work to make government work. The days of incompetent, unethical leadership in the Governor’s office are over.”

Gov.-elect Nixon continues in the line of Democrats flipping governorships from red to blue for the third consecutive election. In 2006, Democrats flipped Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, and Arkansas from Republican to Democratic. In 2007, Democrats defeated incumbent Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher in Kentucky.