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2021 United States gubernatorial elections

Updated: Wikipedia source

2021 United States gubernatorial elections

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 2, 2021, in two states, New Jersey and Virginia, and a recall election was held in California on September 14. These elections form part of the 2021 United States elections. The last gubernatorial elections for New Jersey and Virginia were in 2017, and the last regular gubernatorial election for California was in 2018. Going into the elections, all three seats were held by Democrats. In Virginia, term-limited incumbent Ralph Northam was succeeded by Republican businessman Glenn Youngkin. In New Jersey, incumbent Phil Murphy won re-election. In California, an unsuccessful special election to recall incumbent Gavin Newsom was held on September 14, 2021. This was the first time since 1981 that every regular gubernatorial election in this cycle was won by single digits, and the first time since 1977 that Democrats won in New Jersey and Republicans won in Virginia at the same time. As of 2025, this is the last time that Republicans won the governorship in Virginia.

Infobox

Party
Republican
Seats before
27
Seats after
28
Seat change
1
Popular vote
2,918,691[a]
Percentage
49.43%[a]
Seats up
0
Seats won
1

Tables

· Election predictions
California
California
State
California
PVI
D+14
Incumbent
Gavin Newsom(recall)
Lastrace
61.9% D
CookOctober 5,2021
Likely D
IENovember 1,2021
Likely D
SabatoNovember 12021
Likely D
Result
Newsom61.9% D
New Jersey
New Jersey
State
New Jersey
PVI
D+6
Incumbent
Phil Murphy
Lastrace
56.0% D
CookOctober 5,2021
Solid D
IENovember 1,2021
Solid D
SabatoNovember 12021
Likely D
Result
Murphy51.2% D
Virginia
Virginia
State
Virginia
PVI
D+2
Incumbent
Ralph Northam(term-limited)
Lastrace
53.9% D
CookOctober 5,2021
Tossup
IENovember 1,2021
Tossup
SabatoNovember 12021
Lean R (flip)
Result
Youngkin50.6% R (flip)
State
PVI
Incumbent
Lastrace
CookOctober 5,2021
IENovember 1,2021
SabatoNovember 12021
Result
California
D+14
Gavin Newsom(recall)
61.9% D
Likely D
Likely D
Likely D
Newsom61.9% D
New Jersey
D+6
Phil Murphy
56.0% D
Solid D
Solid D
Likely D
Murphy51.2% D
Virginia
D+2
Ralph Northam(term-limited)
53.9% D
Tossup
Tossup
Lean R (flip)
Youngkin50.6% R (flip)
· Race summary
California(recall)
California(recall)
State
California(recall)
Incumbent
Gavin Newsom
Party
Democratic
Firstelected
2018
Result
Recall failed.
Candidates
mw- .mw- N No 61.9% Yes 38.1%
New Jersey
New Jersey
State
New Jersey
Incumbent
Phil Murphy
Party
Democratic
Firstelected
2017
Result
Incumbent re-elected.
Candidates
▌Y Phil Murphy (Democratic) 51.2% ▌Jack Ciattarelli (Republican) 48.0%
Virginia
Virginia
State
Virginia
Incumbent
Ralph Northam
Party
Democratic
Firstelected
2017
Result
Incumbent term-limited.Republican gain.
Candidates
▌Y Glenn Youngkin (Republican) 50.6% ▌Terry McAuliffe (Democratic) 48.6%
State
Incumbent
Party
Firstelected
Result
Candidates
California(recall)
Gavin Newsom
Democratic
2018
Recall failed.
mw- N No 61.9% Yes 38.1%
New Jersey
Phil Murphy
Democratic
2017
Incumbent re-elected.
▌Y Phil Murphy (Democratic) 51.2% ▌Jack Ciattarelli (Republican) 48.0%
Virginia
Ralph Northam
Democratic
2017
Incumbent term-limited.Republican gain.
▌Y Glenn Youngkin (Republican) 50.6% ▌Terry McAuliffe (Democratic) 48.6%
2021 California gubernatorial recall election · California (recall)
No
No
Choice
No
Votes
7,944,092
%
61.88
Yes
Yes
Choice
Yes
Votes
4,894,473
%
38.12
Valid votes
Valid votes
Choice
Valid votes
Votes
12,838,565
%
99.58
Invalid or blank votes
Invalid or blank votes
Choice
Invalid or blank votes
Votes
54,013
%
0.42
Total votes
Total votes
Choice
Total votes
Votes
12,892,578
%
100.00
Registered voters/turnout
Registered voters/turnout
Choice
Registered voters/turnout
Votes
22,057,154
%
58.45
Source: California Secretary of State
Source: California Secretary of State
Choice
Source: California Secretary of State
Choice
Votes
%
No
7,944,092
61.88
Yes
4,894,473
38.12
Valid votes
12,838,565
99.58
Invalid or blank votes
54,013
0.42
Total votes
12,892,578
100.00
Registered voters/turnout
22,057,154
58.45
Source: California Secretary of State
Democratic primary results[27] · New Jersey
Total votes
Total votes
Party
Total votes
Party
382,984
Candidate
100.00
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Philip Murphy (incumbent)
382,984
100.00
Total votes
382,984
100.00
Republican primary results[27] · New Jersey
Total votes
Total votes
Party
Total votes
Party
339,033
Candidate
100.00
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Jack Ciattarelli
167,690
49.46
Republican
Philip Rizzo
87,007
25.66
Republican
Hirsh V. Singh
73,155
21.58
Republican
Brian D. Levine
11,181
3.30
Total votes
339,033
100.00
2021 New Jersey gubernatorial election[28] · New Jersey
Total votes
Total votes
Party
Total votes
Party
2,614,886
Candidate
100.00%
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
mw- ±%
Democratic
Phil Murphy (incumbent)Sheila Oliver (incumbent)
1,339,471
51.22%
−4.81
Republican
Jack CiattarelliDiane Allen
1,255,185
48.00%
+6.11
Green
Madelyn R. HoffmanHeather Warburton
8,450
0.32%
−0.15
Libertarian
Gregg MeleEveline Brownstein
7,768
0.30%
−0.19
Socialist Workers
Joanne KunianskyVivian Sahner
4,012
0.15%
N/A
Total votes
2,614,886
100.00%
Democratic hold
Democratic primary results[43] · Virginia
Total votes
Total votes
Party
Total votes
Party
494,932
Candidate
100.00
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Terry McAuliffe
307,367
62.10
Democratic
Jennifer Carroll Foy
98,052
19.81
Democratic
Jennifer McClellan
58,213
11.76
Democratic
Justin Fairfax
17,606
3.56
Democratic
Lee J. Carter
13,694
2.77
Total votes
494,932
100.00
· Virginia
Candidate
Candidate
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Candidate
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Round 1
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Round 2
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Round 3
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Round 4
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Round 5
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Round 6
Votes
Votes
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Votes
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Votes
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Votes
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Votes
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Votes
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Votes
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
%
Glenn Youngkin
Glenn Youngkin
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Glenn Youngkin
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
4131.80
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
32.9%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
4140.55
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
33.0%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
4148.91
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
33.0%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
4331.93
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
34.5%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
5311.43
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
42.3%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
6869.22
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
54.7%
Pete Snyder
Pete Snyder
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Pete Snyder
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
3241.61
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
25.8%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
3243.84
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
25.8%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
3249.71
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
25.9%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
3502.91
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
27.9%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
4078.25
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
32.5%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
5684.78
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
45.3%
Amanda Chase
Amanda Chase
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Amanda Chase
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
2605.89
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
20.8%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
2611.54
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
20.8%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
2619.83
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
20.9%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
2859.39
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
22.8%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
3164.32
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
25.2%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Eliminated
Kirk Cox
Kirk Cox
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Kirk Cox
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
1693.58
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
13.5%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
1698.13
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
13.5%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
1705.90
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
13.6%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
1859.77
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
14.8%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Eliminated
Sergio de la Peña
Sergio de la Peña
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Sergio de la Peña
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
805.35
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
6.4%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
812.44
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
6.5%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
829.65
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
6.6%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Eliminated
Peter Doran
Peter Doran
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Peter Doran
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
42.28
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
0.3%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
47.50
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
0.4%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Eliminated
Octavia Johnson
Octavia Johnson
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Octavia Johnson
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
33.48
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
0.3%
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Eliminated
Virginia GOP Convention, Governor Nominee
Candidate
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Votes
%
Votes
%
Votes
%
Votes
%
Votes
%
Votes
%
Glenn Youngkin
4131.80
32.9%
4140.55
33.0%
4148.91
33.0%
4331.93
34.5%
5311.43
42.3%
6869.22
54.7%
Pete Snyder
3241.61
25.8%
3243.84
25.8%
3249.71
25.9%
3502.91
27.9%
4078.25
32.5%
5684.78
45.3%
Amanda Chase
2605.89
20.8%
2611.54
20.8%
2619.83
20.9%
2859.39
22.8%
3164.32
25.2%
Eliminated
Kirk Cox
1693.58
13.5%
1698.13
13.5%
1705.90
13.6%
1859.77
14.8%
Eliminated
Sergio de la Peña
805.35
6.4%
812.44
6.5%
829.65
6.6%
Eliminated
Peter Doran
42.28
0.3%
47.50
0.4%
Eliminated
Octavia Johnson
33.48
0.3%
Eliminated
2021 Virginia gubernatorial election[45] · Virginia
Total votes
Total votes
Party
Total votes
Party
3,288,327
Candidate
100.00%
Votes
N/A
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Glenn Youngkin
1,663,158
50.58%
+5.61
Democratic
Terry McAuliffe
1,599,470
48.64%
−5.26
Liberation
Princess Blanding
23,107
0.70%
N/A
Write-in
2,592
0.08%
+0.03
Total votes
3,288,327
100.00%
N/A
Republican gain from Democratic

References

  1. This excludes the result of the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election, where voters were asked whether to keep o
  2. Kounalakis, Eleni
    https://ltg.ca.gov/2021/07/01/lieutenant-governor-kounalakis-declares-special-election/
  3. The Sacramento Bee
    https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article252113268.html
  4. The Cook Political Report
    https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings
  5. "Gubernatorial Ratings"
    https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/governor
  6. Sabato's Crystal Ball
    https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2022-governor//
  7. "Gov. Phil Murphy to begin process of running for a second term"
    https://newjersey.news12.com/gov-phil-murphy-to-begin-process-of-running-for-a-second-term
  8. "Republican Says He Plans to Run for NJ Governor in 2021"
    https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-jersey/articles/2018-02-13/republican-says-he-plans-to-run-for-nj-governor-in-2021/
  9. Fox News
    https://www.foxnews.com/politics/glenn-youngkin-governor-virginia-2021-election
  10. Richmond Times-Dispatch
    https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/terry-mcauliffe-to-announce-run-for-governor-wednesday/article_d007eb6e-ac10-5320-a4b1-99a527d63bcd.html
  11. ABC7 Los Angeles
    https://abc7.com/10256979/
  12. The Hill
    https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/543955-whats-next-in-the-california-recall
  13. Fox News
    https://www.foxnews.com/politics/john-cox-challenge-californias-newsom-recall-effort-succeeds
  14. Politico
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  15. Axios
    https://www.axios.com/caitlyn-jenner-california-governor-run-710153ef-7a89-460d-b9ec-9efed2a9399f.html
  16. Associated Press
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    https://www.cnn.com/election/2017/results/new-jersey-governor/
  19. New Jersey Globe
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  20. New Jersey Globe
    https://newjerseyglobe.com/campaigns/steinhardt-drops-out-of-gop-gubernatorial-race/
  21. The Jersey Journal
    https://www.nj.com/hudson/2021/02/phil-rizzo-pastor-at-conservative-hudson-county-church-announces-bid-for-governor.html
  22. New Jersey Globe
    https://newjerseyglobe.com/governor/singh-launches-bid-for-governor-against-murphy/
  23. "New Jersey Primary Election Results"
    https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/06/08/us/elections/results-new-jersey-primary-elections.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-elections-2020&region=TOP_BANNER&context=election_recirc
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  26. Insider NJ
    https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/joanne-kuniansky-socialist-workers-party-candidate-new-jersey-governor-files-1500-signatures-may-20th-office-elections-trenton/
  27. Associated Press
    https://apnews.com/article/election-2021-virginia-governor-glenn-youngkin-mcaulife-6cdbf77acf9a966e216ab2a297601baa
  28. "Official List, Candidates for Governor For PRIMARY ELECTION 06/08/2021 Election"
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  29. "Official List, Candidates for Governor For GENERAL ELECTION 11/02/2021 Election"
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  33. AP News
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  34. Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/mark-herring-run-attorney-general/2020/09/02/d36714f4-ed41-11ea-b4bc-3a2098fc73d4_story.html
  35. "Virginia Primary Election Results"
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  36. Washington Post
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  37. WSET
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