Thirty-six states will be holding gubernatorial elections on November 6th. While these races may not always get the same level of attentions as the battle for control of the House and the Senate, they have enormous implications for a range of issues related to poverty and opportunity.
Spotlight has worked to catalogue the views of the gubernatorial candidates on these poverty-related policy questions. Use the drop-down options below to see how the candidates stack up on issues like job creation, the minimum wage, and the social safety net. And, be sure to check back regularly as we continue to update the pages with new information and relevant news clips.
Kay Ivey (Incumbent - R) vs. Walter Maddox (D)
On Jobs: Passed $1.3 billion new business investment to create jobs, partnered with Apple and Alabama Community College System to teach students coding.
On Taxes: Signed tax law raising income threshold for state tax exemption that will lower taxes by $4 million a year.
On Education: Expand resources for preschool to 3rd grade classrooms to ensure literacy, provide high-quality Pre-K statewide, and emphasize STEM and computer science
On Jobs: Expand workforce development programs and increase college affordability
On Healthcare: Expand Medicaid and invest more into rural hospitals
On Education: Create scholarships for higher education and workforce development, expand Pre-K, relieve funding inequalities, and fund classroom innovation without raising taxes
Sources: governor.alabama.gov and waltmaddox.com
Latest News
“Alabama gubernatorial candidate Walt Maddox presents his ethics plan”
Mike Dunleavy (R) vs. Mark Begich (D) vs. Bill Walker (Incumbent – I)
On Jobs: Encourage job growth in oil, gas, and timber industries, and cut back on regulations
On Taxes: Oppose increasing taxes, implement spending cap
On Healthcare: Implement small reforms to reduce consumer costs, instead of large systemic overhauls
On Education: Proposed allocating state money for religious schools, supports school choice
On Jobs: Support workforce development programs, support job growth in up-and-coming industries, evaluate regulations and eliminate as necessary
On Healthcare: Increase transparency around costs of prescriptions and medical services, eliminate law requiring insurance companies to pay 80% of medical services
On Education: Support universal pre-K, increase funding for classroom resources, and improve teacher retention rates
On Jobs: Build natural gas pipeline, expand presence of investment firms in the state
On Taxes: Modest increases to offset budget deficits
On Healthcare: Worked on bipartisan blueprint for improving healthcare aimed at improving affordability and promoting competition within state markets, signed SB-105 to increase medical cost transparency. Used executive authority to expand Medicaid.
On Education: Signed bills to rehire retired teachers, remove financial penalties for school consolidation, and expand construction budget for rural schools.
Sources: alaskansfordunleavy.com, markbegich.com, and gov.alaska.gov
Latest News
“With a deadline looming, Alaska Democrats are split on who to back in governor’s race”
Doug Ducey (Incumbent – R) vs. David Garcia (D)
On Jobs: Eliminated budget deficit and helped develop job growth
On Taxes: Eliminated nearly 700 regulations, saving Arizonans a total of $50 million
On Education: Increased education funding each year in office, implementing 20% teacher pay increase by 2020
On Immigration: Strongly opposes abolishment of ICE
On Jobs: Support agricultural job growth through development of sustainable agriculture, and encourage growth in technology and solar energy industries
On Education: Support universal community college, encourage students to complete two-year degrees in high-skill areas
On Immigration: Supports replacing ICE
Sources: dougducey.com and dg4az.com
Latest News
“Ducey, Garcia to Face off for Arizona Governor in November”
Asa Hutchinson (Incumbent – R) vs. Jared Henderson (D)
On Jobs: Signed incentive agreements with 380 new or growing companies
On Healthcare: Signed Arkansas Works Medicaid reform into law, including 20-hour/week work requirement and reduced income eligibility
On Education: Increased Pre-K funding and guaranteed high-speed broadband access for all K-12 schools, aims to expand workforce development and STEM in schools
On Immigration: Opposed use of any Arkansas facility to house children separated from families
On Jobs: Provide ample support and opportunities to rural businesses
On Taxes: Signed law reducing tax rates for middle-class Arkansans, with total savings of $102 million
On Healthcare: Protect Arkansas Works, address high rates of teen pregnancy
On Education: Improve teacher working conditions
On Immigration: Condemned family border separations
On Minimum Wage: Supports increasing wage to $11/hour
Sources: asa2018.com and jaredforarkansas.com
Latest News
“How Obamacare Shook Up the Arkansas GOP Governor’s Primary”
John Cox (R) vs. Gavin Newsom (D)
On Jobs: Roll back regulations and support small businesses
On Taxes: Cut taxes statewide, first by repealing gasoline tax (Prop 6)
On Healthcare: Oppose single-payer plan in California because of associated spending increases
On Education: Expand charter schools, vouchers, and homeschooling
On Immigration: Repeal sanctuary state status
On Jobs: Ensure protection of vacation and sick leave benefits for gig workers
On Safety Net: Develop 3.5 million new affordable housing units, expand rent control and EITC wage insurance
On Healthcare: Endorsed Senate Bill 562 with ultimate goal of implementing single-payer healthcare in California
On Education: Implement universal preschool, create college savings account for kindergarteners
On Immigration: Enforce sanctuary state status
Sources: gavinnewsom.com and johncoxforgovernor.com
Latest News
“Poll Finds Environment a Major Issue for California Voters”
Walker Stapleton (R) vs. Jared Polis (D)
On Jobs: Support small businesses and encourage renewable energy jobs, especially in rural areas
On Healthcare: Support increased choice in healthcare plans and develop services including mobile health clinics and telemedicine
On Taxes: Align state tax plan with Trump’s federal legislation
On Education: Expand school choice through charter school investment
On Immigration: End sanctuary cities in the state
On Jobs: Encourage paid family-medical leave, increase employee access to company stocks and ownership
On Healthcare: Support implementation of universal healthcare coverage at state and federal levels, improve access to mental health and addiction resources, and lower healthcare costs through All Payer Claims database audit
On Taxes: Prevent corporations filing taxes in Colorado from holding money in offshore tax havens
On Education: Provide access to free, quality public preschool for all Colorado residents, free textbooks for all college students, plus student loan relief and affordable housing for teachers
Sources: stapletonforcolorado.com and polisforcolorado.com
Latest News
Bob Stefanowski (R) vs. Ned Lamont (D)
On Jobs: Formed Economic Advisory Council of state businessmen to plan rollback of regulations and encourage job creation
On Taxes: Phase out corporate and individual state income taxes, eliminate estate taxes
On Jobs: Expand apprenticeship and vocational programs to develop worker skills
On Healthcare: Require pharmaceutical companies to increase transparency around drug prices, introduce reinsurance to lower premiums
On Education: Fully fund Care4Kids program, encourage teacher diversity, reduce class sizes
On Minimum Wage: Increase minimum wage to $15/hour
Sources: bobforgovernor.com and nedlamont.com
Latest News
“Trump, Malloy Play Big Role in Connecticut Gubernatorial Race”
Ron DeSantis (R) vs. Andrew Gillum (D)
On Jobs: Cut back on unnecessary regulations
On Taxes: Oppose tax increases
On Education: Encourage skills-based and vocational education, oppose Common Core, support school choice
On Immigration: Ban sanctuary cities in Florida and enact E-verify
On Jobs: Support continued job growth in solar energy and technology industries
On Taxes: Change state corporate tax rate to 7.75%
On Healthcare: Expand Medicaid, uphold Affordable Care Act, and propose law to ensure women’s access to contraceptives
On Education: Increase state funding by $1 billion to support early childhood education and develop vocational training; opposes charter schools and supports debt-free college
On Immigration: Strongly supports abolishment of ICE
Sources: rondesantis.com and andrewgillum.com
Latest News
“A Black Progressive and a Trump Acolyte Win Florida Governor Primaries”
Brian Kemp (R) vs. Stacey Abrams (D)
On Jobs: Roll back regulations and mandates, support small business, and provide targeted economic development, especially in rural areas
On Healthcare: Supports free market replacement for ACA and expanding incentives for rural healthcare providers
On Taxes: Eliminate “wasteful” tax incentives
On Education: Support rural education through expansion of charter schools, promote education savings accounts, review common core standards, reduce number of standardized tests
On Immigration: Defund sanctuary cities and campuses, supports build border wall
On Healthcare: Expand Medicaid to better assist veterans and offer mental health and reproductive services to individuals in rural, low-income, and/or minority communities
On Taxes: Expand Georgia’s state EITC
On Education: Oppose tax credits and vouchers to private schools, increase funding for public schools, strengthen rural communities through increased 4-H involvement and resources
On Immigration: Create safe space for immigrants in Georgia, and voted against House Bill 37 which forbade colleges from declaring sanctuary status
Sources: kempforgovernor.com and staceyabrams.com
Latest News
“Why the Georgia gubernatorial race could be the emblematic contest of 2018”
“Closing ads from the Georgia gubernatorial nominees perfectly illustrate the state of the parties”
Andria Tupola (R) vs. David Ige (Incumbent – D)
On Jobs: Decrease regulations, support small businesses, and build local partnerships for job growth
On Taxes: Reduce corporate and property taxes
On Education: Support vocational education and increase salaries and benefits for teachers
On Jobs: Began new public works program at Kahului Airport, encouraged job growth in tech industry
On Taxes: Established tax credit for organic farmers
On Healthcare: Increased funding for mental health, created statewide initiative to combat the opioid crisis, supported Kupuna Care to support caregivers for the elderly
On Education: Negotiated new teachers’ contract, worked with community colleges to expand financial aid
Sources: votetupola.com and davidige.org
Latest News
“How One of the Most Vulnerable Governors Staged a Comeback”
Brad Little (R) vs. Paulette Jordan (D)
On Jobs: Increase jobs and wages, reduce regulations for small businesses and manufacturers, and reduce government spending
On Education: Support local control of education
On Healthcare: Encourage state-controlled healthcare, oppose federal mandates
On Taxes: Helped pass $260 million property tax cut, aims to keep taxes low
On Minimum Wage: Advocate for more local control of wage increases
On Jobs: Promote clean energy and build a statewide rural transportation system to create jobs
On Education: Implement statewide universal preschool, student loan forgiveness for teachers in rural school districts, and STEM education
On Healthcare: Expand Medicaid and build a public medical school
On Taxes: Reduce sales tax exemptions to support education, instead of increasing taxes
On Minimum Wage: Supports minimum wage increase
On Immigration: Supports sanctuary cities
Sources: bradlittleforidaho.com and jordanforgovernor.com
Latest News
“Does Medicaid Expansion Have a Shot in a State as Red as Idaho?”
Bruce Rauner (Incumbent – R) vs. J.B. Pritzker (D)
On Jobs: Supports scaled-back property taxes and regulations to attract businesses to the state
On Education: Increased K-12 education funding by $1.2 billion, backed education reform bill creating tax credits for programs advancing school choice for minority communities
On Taxes: Aims to implement a $1 billion tax cut and roll back income taxes
On Minimum Wage: Vetoed bill that would have increased minimum wage to $15 by 2022
On Healthcare: Piloted HealthChoice Illinois, including statewide privatization and expansion of Medicaid
On Immigration: Signed law to prevent deportation of immigrants solely based on illegal status
On Jobs: Advocates stimulus plan to bolster infrastructure and fund small business development centers and job apprenticeship programs
On Education: Backs plans for universal preschool, increased access to Childcare Assistance Program, and creation of Family Engagement Portals for child development
On Taxes: Supports a graduated income tax
On Minimum Wage: Supports $15 wage
On Healthcare: Seeks to create IllinoisCares by allowing all residents to buy into state Medicaid system
On Immigration: Condemned Trump Administration’s ending of DACA
Sources: brucerauner.com and jbpritzker.com
Latest News
“Third-party Candidates Could Sway Illinois Gubernatorial Race”
Kim Reynolds (Incumbent - R) vs. Fred Hubbell (D)
On Jobs: Looking to expand foreign direct investment to create jobs
On Healthcare: Signed into law a health benefit plan for individuals unable to afford independent coverage
On Taxes: Reduced personal income taxes and eliminated provisions such as federal deductibility
On Education: Increased number of high school-to-apprenticeship programs, aims to continue investing in public schools
On Jobs: Expand agricultural jobs by investing in clean energy projects
On Healthcare: Reverse Medicaid privatization, increase the number of acute treatment beds by 50%, expand mental health services
On Taxes: Review and potentially eliminate tax credits and incentives helping large corporations
On Education: Give local communities more discretion over fund allocations, expand rural school transportation, create job training and public-private apprenticeship programs
Sources: governor.iowa.gov and fredhubbell.com
Latest News
Kris Kobach (R) vs. Laura Kelly (D)
On Jobs: Opposes legislature’s tax increase, instead encouraging state office spending reductions
On Education: Supports charter schools and vouchers, opposes tax increases to fund public schools
On Immigration: Combat illegal immigration at state level
On Jobs: Support economic growth in rural areas and develop technical and trade training for a more skilled workforce
On Healthcare: Expand Medicaid and increase oversight and responsibility within KanCare
On Education: Increase K-12 funding and invest in early childhood education
Sources: kriskobach.com and laurakellyforkansas.com
Latest News
Shawn Moody (R) vs. Janet Mills (D)
On Jobs: Recruit and retain businesses paying competitive wages, conduct interviews for businesses entering and exiting the state to identify needs for improvement
On Safety Net: Implement lifetime cap on TANF benefits, increase laws surrounding welfare fraud, and develop skills assessment test for government aid applicants
On Healthcare: Promote competitive market and require recipients of government assistance to contribute to healthcare costs
On Taxes: Link government agencies’ spending authority to their performance and lower property taxes
On Education: Prioritize local discretion over education curriculum, encourage performance-based pay increases for administrators and teachers
On Immigration: Prohibit sanctuary cities, enforce punishment of employers recruiting unauthorized immigrants
On Jobs: Invest in research and development of clean energy and general sciences to boost job creation
On Safety Net: Address statewide hunger by requesting additional USDA aid for western and northern Maine and support state-funded program allowing SNAP recipients to collect double allowances of fresh produce
On Healthcare: Promote better lifestyles and use federal funds to expand Medicaid
On Education: Expand computer science courses in middle and high school
On Immigration: Opposed efforts to repeal DACA program
Sources: shawnmoody.com and janetmills.com
Latest News
“Candidates for governor offer ideas for improving Maine’s economy”
Larry Hogan (Incumbent - R) vs. Ben Jealous (D)
On Jobs: Reduce business regulations to create jobs
On Healthcare: Signed legislation in 2018 creating a reinsurance program to stabilize ACA markets
On Taxes: Eliminated “rain tax” and reduced tolls on highways
On Education: Supports BOOST scholarship program providing tuition assistance to low-income residents, would increase higher education funding to prevent tuition increases
On Jobs: Grow Maryland's Minority Business Enterprise, which targets wealth inequality among different races
On Safety Net: Raise minimum wage to $15, expand affordable housing
On Healthcare: Supports Medicare-for-all model, would negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices
On Education: Raise teachers' salaries by 29%, implement universal pre-K using casino and marijuana revenues, increase number of school social workers and psychologists
On Immigration: Create welcoming environment for refugees, pass TRUST Act to prevent police from acting as ICE agents, ensure protection of DREAMers
Sources: larryhogan.com and benjealous.com
Latest News
“Gov. Larry Hogan distances himself from the National Rifle Association”
Charlie Baker (Incumbent – R) vs. Jay Gonzalez (D)
On Safety Net: Signed bill to begin paid leave in 2021
On Taxes: Doubled the Earned Income Tax Credit and eliminated $1.2 billion state deficit without increasing taxes
On Healthcare: Signed nation’s first seven-day opioid prescription limit and doubled spending on measures to address opioid crisis
On Education: Helped raise education spending to nearly $5 billion and proposed bill to increase spending on school safety measures
On Minimum Wage: Signed bill raising wage to $15/hour by 2023
On Safety Net: Establish paid family and medical leave
On Healthcare: Implement single-payer healthcare system and work to combat the opioid epidemic through increased support for education, treatment, and prevention
On Education: Increase access to and affordability of early childhood education
On Immigration: Supported Safe Communities Act, which states that state and local resources would not be used to uphold federal immigration laws
On Minimum Wage: Raise to $15/hour by 2021 and eliminate state employee gender wage gap
Sources: charliebakerma.com and jay4ma.com
Latest News
“Republicans running for governor look for success in unlikely places: Blue states”
“Democrats Try to Harness ‘Progressive Wave’ in Governor’s Race”
Bill Schuette (R) vs. Gretchen Whitmer (D)
On Jobs: Outlined Paycheck Training Plan to prepare students for jobs and assist adults who have dropped out of the workforce develop new skills
On Taxes: Roll back income tax hikes from Granholm administration
On Education: Improve literacy rates through increase of elementary reading test scores
On Taxes: End pension tax implemented by Snyder administration
On Healthcare: Expand Medicaid, restore funding to Planned Parenthood, and expand healthcare access in rural areas
On Education: Create Michigan Opportunity Scholarship to boost skills training,
On Minimum Wage: Raise wage to $15/hour
Sources: billschuette.com and gretchenwhitmer.com
Latest News
“Record spending in Michigan’s governor race, and it’s not done yet”
Jeff Johnson (R) vs. Tim Walz (DFL)
On Jobs: Support small businesses
On Taxes: Reduce income, death, and social security taxes, and implement Automatic Taxpayer Refund program
On Healthcare: Utilize federal waivers to increase choice and decrease costs, increase competition through Midwest interstate insurance contract
On Education: Strong advocate for school choice
On Immigration: Opposes abolishment of ICE, would ban sanctuary cities and immediately stop refugee resettlement in Minnesota
On Jobs: Pass $1 billion infrastructure project, assist start-ups in job creation, support union organizing
On Safety Net: Expand paid family leave and sick time laws, support unionization
On Taxes: Expand Working Family Tax Credit and reduce taxes on lower- and middle-class Minnesotans
On Healthcare: Support MinnesotaCare, eventually move toward single payer system, increase funding for medical research
On Education: Oppose voucher programs and support and provide full, guaranteed funding for universal pre-K
On Minimum Wage: Increase to $15/hour
Sources: johnsonforgovernor.org and walzflanagan.com
Latest News
Adam Laxalt (R) vs. Steve Sisolak (D)
On Jobs: Encourage business growth by eliminating regulations and licensing requirements
On Taxes: Reduce taxes, repeal commerce tax of 2015 targeted at large businesses
On Education: Increase funding for Nevada public schools, encourage school choice, provide incentives to keep teachers in Nevada
On Jobs: Create jobs in clean energy, technology, and medical research, recruit companies that offer new jobs and good benefits
On Healthcare: Support Affordable Care Act
On Taxes: Would increase funding for public schools and keep private spending constant
On Education: Reduce classroom sizes, increase teacher salaries
Sources: adamlaxalt.com and stevesisolak.com
Latest News
Pete Ricketts (R) vs. Bob Krist (D)
On Jobs: Reduce the barriers to job creation by lowering taxes and eliminating regulations
On Safety Net: Support program to help SNAP recipients transition into jobs
On Healthcare: Provide more oversight on Nebraska's Medicaid program and improve services for health professionals
On Taxes: Offer property tax relief credits for agricultural lands
On Education: Supported Develop Youth Talent Initiative (DYTI), providing 7th- and 8th-graders opportunities to work in tech and manufacturing sectors through public-private partnerships
On Immigration: Signed bill creating Special Immigrant Juvenile status, a path to citizenship for immigrant children suffering from abuse or neglect
On Jobs: Expand rural broadband, complete four-lane state highway program, and invest in university research programs
On Healthcare: Expand Medicaid, fund title X services, and advocate for rural health systems
On Taxes: Increase state aid for education to reduce need for property tax revenue
On Education: Increase public school funding on state level to lower property taxes at the local level, and allot funding for mental health support within schools
On Immigration: Introduced bill creating Special Immigrant Juvenile status
Sources: petericketts.com and kristfornebraska.com
Latest News
"Property Taxes Prove Big Issue in Nebraska's Governor Race"
Chris Sununu (Incumbent – R) vs. Molly Kelly (D)
On Jobs: Worked to bring out-of-state businesses to New Hampshire
On Taxes: Lowered Business Profits and Enterprise taxes
On Health Care: Increased healthcare options for veterans and helped create youth drug treatment center
On Education: Supports school choice and established full day kindergarten
On Jobs: Supported SB 446 to encourage job growth in renewable energy sector
On Safety Net: Supports paid family and medical leave
On Healthcare: Secure long-term funding to combat opioid epidemic and support recovery efforts, supported Medicaid expansion, opposes work requirements
On Education: Opposes funding for voucher programs, aims to increase college affordability, and worked to prevent tuition increases at public universities
On Immigration: Believes enforcing immigration law is the duty of federal, not state, law enforcement
On Minimum Wage: Raise to $15/hour and index to inflation
Sources: chrissununu.com and mollykelly.com
Latest News
Steve Pearce (R) vs. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D)
On Jobs: Expand economy in southern New Mexico by supporting alternative energy and expanding aircraft technology
On Education: Offer apprenticeships in every school district, offer in-state tuition to international STEM and business students at public universities
On Healthcare: Supports Medicaid work requirement and using tax credits to encourage employers to provide health insurance
On Jobs: Create small business and industry advisory panels to assist in policy decisions, attract foreign direct investment, and expand jobs in select sectors including cybersecurity and aerospace.
On Taxes: Increase Working Families Tax Credit
On Education: Limit school testing, increase teacher pay, implement universal pre-K program
On Minimum Wage: Supports increasing minimum wage to $12 over four years
Sources: pearcefornm.com and newmexicansformichelle.com
Latest News
Coming soon - Primary on September 13
Incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) is seeking re-election
Mike DeWine (R) vs. Richard Cordray (D)
On Jobs: Supports scaling back taxation and regulation on businesses to attract jobs
On Healthcare: Place a mental health professional in every school and increase home visits for mothers, declare public health emergency for opioid crisis and create infrastructure to target the epidemic
On Education: Improve quality of and access to early childhood education, establish Director of Children's Initiatives position
On Minimum Wage: Argued that cities should not legally be able to raise minimum wage above state levels
On Immigration: Opposes sanctuary cities
On Jobs: Advocates tax incentives and funding allocation for small businesses, plus increased resources for those in rural areas
On Healthcare: Protect and continue Medicaid expansion, expand children's health insurance, and repurpose rural buildings as opioid treatment centers
On Education: Strong proponent of universal pre-K, supports funding through public-private partnerships
On Minimum Wage: Supports increasing wage to $15/hour
On Taxes: Does not plan to increase taxes
Sources: mikedewine.com and cordrayforohio.com
Latest News
“Ohio Gubernatorial Race is Tightening”
“Why Ohio Has One of the Most Bizarre – and Important – Governor’s Races in 2018”
Kevin Stitt (R) vs. Drew Edmondson (D)
On Jobs: Eliminate unnecessary regulations, boost efforts to bring businesses to Oklahoma, and develop long-term plan for infrastructure projects
On Healthcare: Improve access to healthcare in rural areas, audit Medicaid, bring telemedicine to rural areas, and encourage selling of health insurance across state lines
On Education: Increase teacher pay, develop program to pay bonuses to teachers working in Oklahoma for the first time, increase role of technology in serving rural areas
On Jobs: Recruit new businesses, develop public-private partnerships, and support rural economic development
On Taxes: Expand middle-class and small business tax deductions, close tax loopholes for corporations
On Healthcare: Expand Medicaid, negotiate prescription price increases
On Education: Increase teacher pay and provide more frequent pay raises, reduce class sizes, and promote universal pre-K
Sources: stittforgovernor.com and drewforoklahoma.com
Latest News
“What you need to know: Winners in Oklahoma runoff election 2018”
Knute Buehler (R) vs. Kate Brown (Incumbent - D)
On Jobs: Resist regulations
On Healthcare: Stabilize Medicaid funding and expand services
On Taxes: Maintain current tax rates
On Education: Invest in career training education
On Immigration: Opposes sanctuary law #22, forbidding local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration policy
On Jobs: Support small businesses. Helped pass worker protection bill and transportation package to create infrastructure jobs
On Healthcare: Created opioid task force, supports reproductive rights
On Education: Passed education budget funding statewide all-day kindergarten. Aims to increase high school graduation rates.
On Immigration: Supports Oregon’s sanctuary law
Sources: knutebuehler.com and katebrownfororegon.com
Latest News
“New poll shows Oregon governor’s race is getting close, but is it really tied?”
Scott Wagner (R) vs. Tom Wolf (Incumbent - D)
On Jobs: Cut regulations hindering job growth
On Healthcare: Roll back Medicaid expansion and instead increase healthcare access by putting more people into the workforce
On Taxes: Cosponsored Senate Bill 76 to eliminate school property taxes
On Education: Increase funding by $1 billion annually by cutting spending to expand early childhood education and ensure career readiness
On Jobs: Promote workforce development. Created PA Business One-Stop Shop which provides information for small businesses
On Healthcare: Expanded Medicaid, increased access to opioid treatment
On Taxes: Proposed and signed a manufacturing tax credit
On Education: Supports pre-K and kindergarten investment, restored funding from previous education cuts
On Minimum Wage: Supports an increase
Sources: wagnerforgov.com and wolfforpa.com
Latest News
“Abortion to play larger role than usual in Pennsylvania governor’s race”
“Candidates in Pennsylvania governor’s race talk about climate change”
Allan Fung (R) vs. Gina Raimondo (Incumbent – D)
On Jobs: Eliminate fees for startups during first year of business, implement Business Concierge Program to support small business owners, and expand Boots to Business program to help veterans obtain jobs
On Safety Net: Implement work requirements of 20 hours/week for welfare recipients
On Taxes: Reduce sales tax to 5% and eliminate taxes on military pensions
On Jobs: Supported $4.7 billion infrastructure construction plan and encourages growth of renewable energy industry to create jobs
On Healthcare: Supports Affordable Care Act and appointed senior adviser to focus on mitigating opioid epidemic
On Education: Doubled state funding for pre-K programs, supported career and technical development programs, and expanded tuition-free access to community colleges
Sources: allanfung.com and ginaraimondo.com
Latest News
“Gina Raimondo, Rhode Island Governor, Turns Back Liberal Challenge in Primary”
Henry McMaster (Incumbent - R) vs. James Smith (D)
On Jobs: Attract businesses and jobs through pro-growth policies
On Healthcare: Expand access to telemedicine, encourage market forces to improve healthcare, declared public health emergency for opioid epidemic
On Taxes: Cut small business taxes, proposes 1% interest tax reduction for all income levels
On Education: Promote workforce development, consolidation of small districts, and charter schools
On Immigration: Supported sanctuary cities ban
On Jobs: Attract jobs by linking businesses and educational institutions, invest in small business, increase public-private partnerships
On Healthcare: Expand Medicaid, support women's health, combat opioid epidemic
On Taxes: Provide tax incentives for businesses to invest in in rural, distressed areas
On Education: lower college tuition costs, increase teacher pay, create technical school-to-work pipeline by encouraging computer science curricula in high schools
Sources: henrymcmaster.com and jamessmith.com
Latest News
“Expensive South Carolina governor primary nearly sets all-time record”
Kristi Noem (R) vs. Billie Sutton (D)
On Healthcare: Voted to repeal ACA in 2017 as a member of the House
On Taxes: Helped pass deduction for small businesses, wants to keep taxes low
On Education: Support teacher quality through public-private partnerships, increase affordability for higher education
On Jobs: Helped create bipartisan economic development plan focusing on better jobs, education investments, and affordable housing, aims to increase public-private partnerships, expand technical education, and increase renewable energy production
On Education: Prioritize early childhood spending, competitive teacher pay, and increase scholarship funding
Sources: kristiforgovernor.com and suttonforsd.com
Latest News
“South Dakota’s gubernatorial race is skewing surprisingly blue”
“Governor candidates address transparency in South Dakota government”
Bill Lee (R) vs. Karl Dean (D)
On Jobs: Encourage low state taxes instead of deals to bring jobs in-state
On Healthcare: Opposes expansion of Medicaid, instead favors reducing costs and investing in prevention
On Education: Invest in career and technical education through partnerships with businesses
On Immigration: Opposes sanctuary city status within Tennessee
On Jobs: Recruit businesses to Tennessee, invest in broadband infrastructure, and improve vocational training
On Healthcare: Expand Medicaid and increase access to preventative care, especially in rural areas
On Education: Increase teacher pay, provide additional funding for early childhood education and after school programs, opposes charter schools and vouchers
Sources: billlee.com and karldean.com
Latest News
“Underdog Bill Lee surges to win Tennessee GOP gubernatorial primary”
Greg Abbott (Incumbent - R) vs. Lupe Valdez (D)
On Jobs: Reduce regulations, especially on small businesses, and accelerate permitting processes
On Healthcare: Increase funding for women's programs, increase accountability of health benefits
On Taxes: Reduce taxes for employers and property owners, has passed over $4 billion in tax breaks for homeowners and businesses
On Education: Increased pre-K program Funding, wants to focus on teacher quality and encourage school choice
On Immigration: Signed SB-4 which aims to punish law enforcement officials for not complying with federal immigration laws
On Jobs: Invest in public infrastructure to create jobs
On Safety Net: Endorses a living wage and paid sick leave
On Healthcare: Expand Medicaid, invest in women's and rural health
On Taxes: Close tax loopholes for large corporations, reduce property taxes, opposes regressive taxes
On Education: Prevent cost from providing a barrier to education, widen college access, increase vocational training
On Immigration: Protect DREAMers, enact comprehensive immigration reform, implement pathway to citizenship
Sources: gregabbott.com and lupevaldez.com
Latest News
“Democrats’ hopes of winning in the South hinge on the suburbs”
“In Texas governor’s race, Lupe Valdez faces resistance from fellow Democrats”
Phil Scott (Incumbent – R) vs. Christine Hallquist (D)
On Jobs: Increased efforts to develop financial services industry
On Safety Net: Increased funding for childcare assistance
On Taxes: Lowered income tax rates, eliminated social security income taxes for lower- and middle-income individuals, opposed property tax rate increase
On Education: Bolstered career and technical education and workforce training programs
On Jobs: Support job growth in rural areas
On Safety Net: Support paid family and medical leave
On Healthcare: Continue working toward universal healthcare, refuse cuts to Medicare or Medicaid
On Education: Oppose charter schools and other forms of privatization, invest in early childhood education, and support tuition-free public college and trade schools
On Minimum Wage: Increase to $15/hour
Sources: philscott.org and christineforvermont.com
Latest News
“Christine Hallquist, a Transgender Woman, Wins Vermont Governor’s Primary”
Scott Walker (Incumbent – R) vs. Tony Evers (D)
On Jobs: Focus on workforce development and recruitment of top talent to Wisconsin businesses
On Taxes: Reduced taxes by cumulative total of $8 billion since 2011, including through elimination of taxes on health savings accounts
On Education: Froze tuition at all University of Wisconsin campuses, aims to increase investments in career and technical education, dual enrollment, and workforce development programs and support school choice
On Jobs: Improve infrastructure maintenance and development, and disband Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation in favor of locally guided development
On Healthcare: Expand Medicaid, support preventative health programs and coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions, and lower prescription drug costs
On Education: Allow student loan refinancing at lower interest rates and increase funding for early childhood education, technical schools, and University of Wisconsin system
On Minimum Wage: Supports raise to $15/hour, with index to inflation, over multiple years
Sources: scottwalker.com and tonyevers.com
Latest News
“The Wisconsin Governor’s Race Might be Decided by Education”
Mark Gordon (R) vs. Mary Throne (D)
Sources: gordonforwyoming.com and maryforwyoming.com
Latest News
“In Wyoming’s gubernatorial election, the oil and gas vote up for grabs”