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Republicans have the opportunity to flip 16 governors’ mansions in 2022. Among these races, there is an incredible group of Republican women across the country running for governor. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and are immensely qualified to serve as chief executive of their respective states.

Their expertise ranges from statewide government leadership, higher education, small business and large-scale industry, to land development and federal executive government, and has led them to develop policy agendas that Right Direction Women plans to advocate for in the coming year.

Right Direction Women plans to support women leaders with strong conservative credentials running for office in winnable states such as Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Oregon and Rhode Island.

Right Direction Women is a Section 527 political organization.

The Stats

45

Women who have served as governor, in 31 states (27D, 18R)

19

States that have never had a woman governor

18%

Governor’s offices currently held by women

30

Women governors who were elected in their own right

3

Women governors who have replaced their husbands

12

Women governors who have become governor by constitutional succession (six of whom then later won full terms)

9

The record number of women serving simultaneously, achieved in 2004, 2007, 2019, and 2021

Arizona

The first state where a woman succeeded another woman as governor. The only state to have four female governors!

1975

The first female governor was independently elected when Rep. Ella Grasso won the Connecticut gubernatorial race

1987

The first female Republican governor was elected when state treasurer Kay Orr beat another woman, Democratic candidate Helen Boosalis, in the Nebraska gubernatorial race

Republican Women Governors: Past & Present

Key

Current (R) Woman Governor

Past (R) Woman Governor

Only Male Governor

Races to Watch

Right Direction Women is dedicated to supporting strong conservative women running for governor. Here are some of our Races to Watch in 2022:

Arizona

Race info

Republican Governor Doug Ducey is term-limited and not eligible to run for reelection. Republican Kari Lake will face Democrat Katie Hobbs.


Arkansas

Race info

Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson is term-limited and not eligible to run for reelection. Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders will face Democrat Chris Jones.


Colorado

Race info

Republican Heidi Ganahl will challenge incumbent Democrat Governor Jared Polis.


Oregon

Race info

Incumbent Democrat Governor Kate Brown is term-limited and cannot run for re-election. Republican Christine Drazan will face Democrat Tina Kotek and Independent Betsy Johnson.  


Rhode Island

Race info

Republican Ashley Kalus will challenge incumbent Democrat Governor Daniel McKee.