Kentucky’s Democratic governor won another term Tuesday, and Mississippi voters kept their governor’s office in GOP hands — decisions that suggested many Americans were not ready to abandon incumbent parties, despite the recession.
Voters’ last major judgments of 2011 were closely watched for any hints about the public’s political mood as the presidential primary season begins. Ten states will elect governors next year, and governors can marshal get-out-the-vote efforts crucial to any White House candidate.
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear was easily re-elected despite high unemployment and budget shortfalls. He became the second Democrat to win a governorship this year, after West Virginia’s Earl Ray Tomblin.
In Mississippi, Republican Phil Bryant defeated Democrat Johnny DuPree. Bryant will take office Jan. 10 to succeed Republican Haley Barbour, who couldn’t seek a third term.
Bryant, 56, became the first Republican to succeed another Republican as Mississippi governor in modern times.
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