No Sweat

GOP Wins Governor Races in TX, FL, WI

En route to sweeping statehouse results.

On its way to racking up wins in more gubernatorial races than virtually anyone had forseen, the Republican Party held on to the governor’s mansions in Texas, Florida, and Wisconsin, states where the Democrats mounted spirited campaigns and had hoped to make some inroads, especially in Florida. The race in the Sunshine State went down to the wire, pitting incumbent Republican Rick Scott against challenger and former governor Charlie Crist, a former Republican running as a Democrat. In Texas, GOP Attorney General Greg Abbott decisively defeated Democrat Wendy Davis, who made national headlines following a 13-hour filibuster over Texas abortion restrictions in 2013. Abbott takes the reins from Republican Rick Perry, who was governor for 14 years. And in Wisconsin, incumbent Gov. Scott Walker prevailed over Democrat Mary Burke, despite slipping in the polls ahead of the election.