1989 United States gubernatorial elections
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United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 7, 1989, in two states and one territory, as well as other statewide offices and members of state legislatures. Democrats picked up the open seat in New Jersey formerly held by a Republican, while keeping another open seat in Virginia which was held by a Democrat.
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November 7, 1989
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3 governorships 2 states; 1 territory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 1989 gubernatorial election results: Democratic gain Democratic hold Republican hold | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Election results
| State | Incumbent | Party | First elected |
Result | Candidates |
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| New Jersey | Thomas Kean | Republican | 1981 | Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic gain.[1] |
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| Virginia | Gerald Baliles | Democratic | 1985 | Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic hold.[2] |
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Close states
States where the margin of victory was under 1%:
- Virginia, 0.38%
New Jersey
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November 7, 1989
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  Florio: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Courter: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1989 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1989. Incumbent Republican Governor Thomas Kean was term-limited after two consecutive terms. Democrat James Florio, a U.S. Representative from Camden County and a twice-unsuccessful candidate for Governor, defeated Republican U.S. Representative Jim Courter by the lopsided margin[3] of 61.2%-37.2%.
Virginia
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November 7, 1989
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| Turnout | 66.5% (voting eligible)[4] | ||||||||||||||||
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  Wilder: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Coleman: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1989 Virginia gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1989. Incumbent Democratic governor Jerry Baliles was unable to seek a second term due to term limits. Democratic nominee and Lieutenant Governor L. Douglas Wilder went against former attorney general of Virginia J. Marshall Coleman in one of the closest elections in Virginia history. Upon taking the oath of office in January 1990, Governor Wilder became the first African-American governor of Virginia, and the first African-American governor of any state since Reconstruction more than one hundred years earlier.