View source for 2011 United States gubernatorial elections

{{Short description|none}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2011 United States gubernatorial elections
| country            = United States
| type               = legislative
| seats_for_election = 4 governorships{{efn|including a [[2011 West Virginia gubernatorial special election|special election]] in [[West Virginia]]}}
| election_date      = October 4 and 22 and November 8, 2011
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 2010 United States gubernatorial elections
| previous_year      = 2010
| next_election      = 2012 United States gubernatorial elections
| next_year          = 2012
| 1blank             = Seats up
| 2blank             = Seats won
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| seats_before1      = '''29'''
| seats_after1       = '''29'''
| seat_change1       = {{steady}}
| popular_vote1      = '''1,653,223'''
| percentage1        = '''54.22%'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=2011&off=5&f=0 |title=2011 Gubernatorial General Election Results |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>
| 1data1             = 2
| 2data1             = 2
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| seats_before2      = 20
| seats_after2       = 20
| seat_change2       = {{steady}}
| popular_vote2      = 1,144,030
| percentage2        = 37.52%
| 1data2             = 2
| 2data2             = 2
| map_image          = {{2011 United States gubernatorial elections imagemap}}
| map_size           = 320px
| map_caption        = '''Map of the results'''<br />{{legend0|#94C5DE|Democratic hold}}<br />{{legend0|#F48984|Republican hold}}<br />{{legend0|#D3D3D3|No election}}
}}
United States gubernatorial elections were held in four states in October and November 2011, with regularly scheduled elections in Kentucky, Mississippi, and Louisiana; and a special election in West Virginia. None of these four governorships changed party hands, with Democratic incumbents [[Steve Beshear]] and [[Earl Ray Tomblin]] winning in [[2011 Kentucky gubernatorial election|Kentucky]] and [[2011 West Virginia gubernatorial special election|West Virginia]], respectively; and Republicans re-electing [[Bobby Jindal]] in [[2011 Louisiana gubernatorial election|Louisiana]] and holding the open seat in [[2011 Mississippi gubernatorial election|Mississippi]].

This is the last group of governor election in which no party lost or gained any seats they held. 

==Election predictions==
Several sites and individuals publish predictions of competitive seats. These predictions look at factors such as the strength of the [[incumbent]] (if the incumbent is running for re-election), the strength of the candidates, and the partisan leanings of the state (reflected in part by the state's [[Cook Partisan Voting Index]] rating). The predictions assign ratings to each state, with the rating indicating the predicted advantage that a party has in winning that seat.

Most election predictors use:
* "<u>tossup</u>": no advantage
* "<u>tilt</u>" (used by some predictors): advantage that is not quite as strong as "lean"
* "<u>lean</u>": slight advantage
* "<u>likely</u>": significant, but surmountable, advantage 
* "<u>safe</u>" or "<u>solid</u>": near-certain chance of victory
<!-- Colors and sorting:

In many cases, the incumbent has yet to say their intention of running for another term. If an incumbent intends to retire then place "<br />{{Small|(retiring)}}" after the incumbent's name.

See [[Template: USRaceRating]] for how to apply a rating.

-->

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!State
!Incumbent<ref>Parentheses around an incumbent's name indicates that the incumbent is retiring, possibly due to term limits.</ref>
! Last race
!scope="col" |[[Cook Political Report|Cook]]<br />{{Small|Sep 15,<br />2011}}<ref>{{cite web |date=September 15, 2011 |title=2011/2012 GOVERNORS RACE RATINGS |url=http://www.governing.com/blogs/politics/update-2011-2012-gubernatorial-contests.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007113156/http://cookpolitical.com/charts/governors/raceratings_2011-09-15_14-50-15.php |archive-date=October 7, 2011 |website=The Cook Political Report}}</ref>
! [[Inside Elections|IE]]<br />{{small|Aug 12,<br />2011}}<ref>{{cite web |date=August 12, 2011 |title=Gubernatorial Ratings |url=http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.com/ratings/governor/2011-12-gubernatorial-ratings-august-12-2011 |work=Inside Elections}}</ref>
! [[Sabato's Crystal Ball|Sabato]]<br />{{small|Aug 24,<br />2011}}<ref>{{cite web |title=2012 Governor |url=https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2012-governor/ |website=Sabato's Crystal Ball}}</ref>
! [[Governing (magazine)|Gov]]<br />{{small|Jul 25,<br />2011}}<ref>{{cite web |date=July 25, 2011 |title=An Update on the 2011-2012 Gubernatorial Contests |url=http://www.governing.com/blogs/politics/update-2011-2012-gubernatorial-contests.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110801190131/http://www.governing.com/blogs/politics/update-2011-2012-gubernatorial-contests.html |archive-date=August 1, 2011 |work=Governing}}</ref>
! Result
|-
! [[#Kentucky|Kentucky]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}}| [[Steve Beshear]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-58.7" | 58.7% D
<!--Coo-->|{{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--IE-->|{{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--Sab-->|{{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--Gov-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-55.7" | Beshear<br/>55.7% D
|-
! [[#Louisiana|Louisiana]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | [[Bobby Jindal]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="53.9" | 53.9% R
<!--Coo-->|{{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--IE-->|{{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Sab-->|{{USRaceRating|Safe|R|}}
<!--Gov-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="65.8" | Jindal<br/>65.8% R
|-
! [[#Mississippi|Mississippi]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | [[Haley Barbour]] {{small|(term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="57.9" | 57.9% R
<!--Coo-->|{{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--IE-->|{{USRaceRating|Solid|R}}
<!--Sab-->|{{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
<!--Gov-->| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="61.0" | [[Phil Bryant|Bryant]]<br/>61.0% R
|-
! [[#West Virginia|West Virginia]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}}| [[Earl Ray Tomblin]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-69.8" | 69.8% D
<!--Coo-->|{{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--IE-->|{{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
<!--Sab-->|{{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
<!--Gov-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-49.6" | Tomblin<br/>49.6% D
|}

== Race summary ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- valign=bottom
! State
! Incumbent
! Party
! First<br />elected
! Result
! Candidates
|-
! [[#Kentucky|Kentucky]]
| {{sortname|Steve|Beshear}}
| {{party shading/Text/Democratic}}
| [[2007 Kentucky gubernatorial election|2007]]
| Incumbent [[2011 Kentucky gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{Plainlist|
* {{party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''{{sortname|Steve|Beshear}}''' (Democratic) 55.7%
* {{party stripe|Republican Party (US)}}[[David L. Williams (politician)|David L. Williams]] (Republican) 35.3%
* {{party stripe|Independent (US)}}[[Gatewood Galbraith]] (Independent) 9.0%
}}
|-
! [[#Louisiana|Louisiana]]
| {{sortname|Bobby|Jindal}}
| {{party shading/Text/Republican}}
| [[2007 Louisiana gubernatorial election|2007]]
| Incumbent [[2011 Louisiana gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{Plainlist|
* {{party stripe|Republican Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''{{sortname|Bobby|Jindal}}''' (Republican) 65.8%
* {{party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}Tara Hollis (Democratic) 17.9%
* {{party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}Cary Deaton (Democratic) 4.9%
* {{party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}Trey Roberts (Democratic) 3.3%
* {{party stripe|Independent (US)}}David Blanchard (Independent) 2.6%
* {{party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}Niki Papazoglakis (Democratic) 2.1%
* {{party stripe|Libertarian Party (US)}}Scott Lewis (Libertarian) 1.2%
}}
|-
! [[#Mississippi|Mississippi]]
| {{sortname|Haley|Barbour}}
| {{party shading/Text/Republican}}
| [[2003 Mississippi gubernatorial election|2003]]
| {{Party shading/Republican/Hold}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br />New governor [[2011 Mississippi gubernatorial election|elected]].<br />'''Republican hold'''.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist|
* {{party stripe|Republican Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''{{sortname|Phil|Bryant}}''' (Republican) 61.0%
* {{party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}[[Johnny DuPree]] (Democratic) 39.0%
}}
|-
! [[#West Virginia (special)|West Virginia<br />{{small|(special)}}]]
| {{sortname|Earl Ray|Tomblin}}
| {{party shading/Text/Democratic}}
| 2010{{efn|Tomblin took office after his predecessor ([[Joe Manchin]]) resigned.}}
| Incumbent [[2011 West Virginia gubernatorial special election|elected to full term]].
| nowrap | {{Plainlist|
* {{party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''{{sortname|Earl Ray|Tomblin}}''' (Democratic) 49.6%
* {{party stripe|Republican Party (US)}}[[Bill Maloney]] (Republican) 47.0%
* {{party stripe|Mountain Party}}Bob Henry Baber ([[Mountain Party|Mountain]]) 2.0%
* {{party stripe|Independent (US)}}Marla Ingels (Independent) 1.0%
}}
|}

== Closest races ==
States where the margin of victory was under 5%:
# '''<span style="color:blue;">West Virginia, 2.5%</span>'''

<span style="color:blue;">Blue</span> denotes states won by Democrats.

== Kentucky ==
{{Infobox election
| election_name     = 2011 Kentucky gubernatorial election
| country           = Kentucky
| type              = presidential
| ongoing           = no
| previous_election = 2007 Kentucky gubernatorial election
| previous_year     = 2007
| election_date     = November 8, 2011
| next_election     = 2015 Kentucky gubernatorial election
| next_year         = 2015
| image_size        = x150px
| image1            = File:Steve Beshear by Gage Skidmore (1).jpg
| nominee1          = '''[[Steve Beshear]]'''
| party1            = Democratic Party (US)
| running_mate1     = '''[[Jerry Abramson]]'''
| popular_vote1     = '''464,245'''
| percentage1       = '''55.7%'''
| image2            = File:David L. Williams (1).jpg
| nominee2          = [[David L. Williams (politician)|David L. Williams]]
| party2            = Republican Party (US)
| running_mate2     = [[Richie Farmer]]
| popular_vote2     = 294,034
| percentage2       = 35.3%
| image3            = File:Gatewood Gailbraith 2011 (1).jpg
| nominee3          = [[Gatewood Galbraith]]
| party3            = Independent (US)
| running_mate3     = Dea Riley
| popular_vote3     = 74,860
| percentage3       = 9.0%
| map_image         = File:2011 Kentucky gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size          = 300px
| map_caption       = County results
| title             = [[Governor of Kentucky|Governor]]
| before_election   = [[Steve Beshear]]
| before_party      = Democratic Party (US)
| after_election    = [[Steve Beshear]]
| after_party       = Democratic Party (US)
}}
{{main|2011 Kentucky gubernatorial election}}
On July 19, 2009, [[Steve Beshear]] announced his intention to run for re-election in 2011 and that then-[[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]] mayor [[Jerry Abramson]] would be his running mate.<ref name="Gerth">{{cite news|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090719/NEWS01/907190334/-1/NLETTER05/Abramson+to+be+Beshear+s+running+mate+in+2011?source=nletter-breakingnews|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102171000/http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090719/NEWS01/907190334/-1/NLETTER05/Abramson+to+be+Beshear+s+running+mate+in+2011?source=nletter-breakingnews|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-02|title=Abramson to be Beshear's running mate in 2011|last=Gerth|first=Joseph|date=2009-07-19|publisher=[[The Courier-Journal]]|access-date=2009-07-20}}</ref> On January 6, 2011, Beshear and Abramson officially filed their candidacy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wfpl.org/2011/01/06/beshear-abramson-file-candidacy-papers|title=Beshear, Abramson File Candidacy Papers|date=January 6, 2011|access-date=January 6, 2011|work=[[WFPL]]|first=Tony|last=McVeigh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111174601/http://www.wfpl.org/2011/01/06/beshear-abramson-file-candidacy-papers/|archive-date=January 11, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Businessman Phil Moffett, Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw, and  State Senate president [[David L. Williams (politician)|David L. Williams]] were the declared Republican candidates.<ref name=ltgovannounce>{{cite news |last=Brammer |first=Jack |title=David Williams and Richie Farmer form slate to seek state's top offices |publisher=Lexington Herald-Leader |date=2010-09-02 |url=http://www.kentucky.com/2010/09/02/1416058/david-williams-and-richie-farmer.html |access-date=2010-09-02}}</ref> 
Agriculture commissioner [[Richie Farmer]]<ref name=farmer1>{{cite web |last=Alford |first=Roger |title=Farmer mulls run for governor |publisher=Lexington Herald-Leader |date=2009-10-28 |url=http://www.kentucky.com/latest_news/story/995157.html |access-date=2009-10-28}}</ref> [[Secretary of State of Kentucky|Secretary of State]] [[Trey Grayson]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pageonekentucky.com/2008/06/09/grayson-for-governor-more-hints-coming-out/ |title=Grayson for Governor? More Hints Coming Out |access-date=2010-06-20 |archive-date=2011-02-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213053148/http://pageonekentucky.com/2008/06/09/grayson-for-governor-more-hints-coming-out/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Businessman Bill Johnson,<ref name="dcpoliticalreport.com">{{cite web | url=http://www.dcpoliticalreport.com/KY.htm | title=D.C.'s Political Report: The complete source for campaign summaries }}</ref> were also speculated candidates, but all declined. However, Farmer would run as Williams' running mate.<ref name=ltgovannounce/> The Williams-Farmer ticket won the primary on May 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/KY/29019/45205/en/summary.html|title = KY - Election Results}}</ref>

In the general election, Beshear won, defeating Williams and independent candidate [[Gatewood Galbraith]].

{{Election box begin no change |title=2011 Kentucky gubernatorial election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Steve Beshear]] (incumbent)
  |votes      = 464,245
  |percentage = 55.72
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[David L. Williams (politician)|David L. Williams]]
  |votes      = 294,034
  |percentage = 35.29
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Independent (US)
  |candidate  = [[Gatewood Galbraith]]
  |votes      = 74,860
  |percentage = 8.99
}}{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 833,139
  |percentage = 100.00
}}{{Election box hold with party link no change
  |winner     = Democratic Party (US)
}}{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}

== Louisiana ==
{{Infobox election
| election_name     = 2011 Louisiana gubernatorial election
| country           = Louisiana
| type              = presidential
| ongoing           = no
| previous_election = 2007 Louisiana gubernatorial election
| previous_year     = 2007
| election_date     = October 22, 2011
| next_election     = 2015 Louisiana gubernatorial election
| next_year         = 2015
| image_size        = x150px
| image1            = File:Bobby Jindal by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| candidate1        = '''[[Bobby Jindal]]'''
| party1            = Republican Party (US)
| popular_vote1     = '''673,239'''
| percentage1       = '''65.8%'''
| image2            = File:3x4.svg
| candidate2        = Tara Hollis
| party2            = Democratic Party (US)
| popular_vote2     = 182,925
| percentage2       = 17.9%
| map_image         = File:2011 Louisiana gubernatorial election results map by parish.svg
| map_size          = 250px
| map_caption       = County results
| title             = [[Governor of Louisiana|Governor]]
| before_election   = [[Bobby Jindal]]
| before_party      = Republican Party (US)
| after_election    = [[Bobby Jindal]]
| after_party       = Republican Party (US)
}}
{{main|2011 Louisiana gubernatorial election}}
In 2008 [[Bobby Jindal]] stated that it was unlikely he would [[2012 United States presidential election|run for president in 2012]] and that his primary electoral goal in the future would be on re-election in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1208/Jindal_says_no.html?showall|title=Jindal says no|author=Ben Smith|publisher=Politico.com|access-date=2008-12-10}}</ref> On August 15, 2010, he confirmed his intention to run for re-election.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kplctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12982599 |title = Jindal "absolutely running" for re-election in 2011 - KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana  |access-date=2010-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830104803/http://www.kplctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12982599 |archive-date=2010-08-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Candidates who opposed Jindal included Attorney Cary Deaton (D), Teachers Tara Hollis (D) and Trey Roberts (D), victim advocacy activist Androniki "Niki Bird" Papazoglakis (D), Former Vice Chairman of the [[Libertarian Party of Louisiana]] Scott Lewis, ex-[[Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals]] David Blanchard (I), Computer Engineer Lenny Bollingham (I), Accountant Ron Ceasar (I), and Retired Volunteer Fire Chief Bob Lang (I).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politics1.com/la.htm|title = Politics1 - Online Guide to Louisiana Candidates, Elections & Politics}}</ref>

The election was then held on October 22 with all the candidates competing in a [[nonpartisan blanket primary]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/Portals/0/elections/pdf/Calendar%202011%20Elections.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=February 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081127175035/http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/Portals/0/elections/pdf/Calendar%202011%20Elections.pdf |archive-date=November 27, 2008 }}</ref> Jindal was elected to a second term, receiving an outright majority of the vote (thus a runoff election that would have occurred on November 19 became unnecessary).

{{Election box begin no change |title=2011 Louisiana gubernatorial election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Bobby Jindal]] (incumbent)
  |votes      = 673,239
  |percentage = 65.80
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = Tara Hollis
  |votes      = 182,925
  |percentage = 17.88
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = Cary Deaton
  |votes      = 50,071
  |percentage = 4.89
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = Trey Roberts
  |votes      = 33,280
  |percentage = 3.25
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Independent (US)
  |candidate  = David Blanchard
  |votes      = 26,705
  |percentage = 2.61
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = Niki Bird Papazoglakis
  |votes      = 21,885
  |percentage = 2.14
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Libertarian Party (US)
  |candidate  = Scott Lewis
  |votes      = 12,528
  |percentage = 1.22
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Independent (US)
  |candidate  = Bob Lang
  |votes      = 9,109
  |percentage = 0.89
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Independent (US)
  |candidate  = Ron Ceasar
  |votes      = 8,179
  |percentage = 0.80
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Independent (US)
  |candidate  = Lenny Bollingham
  |votes      = 5,242
  |percentage = 0.51
}}{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 1,023,163
  |percentage = 100.00
}}{{Election box hold with party link no change
  |winner     = Republican Party (US)
}}{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}

== Mississippi ==
{{Infobox election
| election_name     = 2011 Mississippi gubernatorial election
| country           = Mississippi
| flag_year         = 2001
| type              = presidential
| ongoing           = no
| previous_election = 2007 Mississippi gubernatorial election
| previous_year     = 2007
| election_date     = November 8, 2011
| next_election     = 2015 Mississippi gubernatorial election
| next_year         = 2015
| image_size        = x150px
| image1            = File:Secretary Perry with Govt Phil Bryant KSS2455 (32743097363) (cropped 2).jpg
| nominee1          = '''[[Phil Bryant]]'''
| party1            = Republican Party (US)
| popular_vote1     = '''544,851'''
| percentage1       = '''61.0%'''
| image2            = File:Johnny DuPree 2011 (cropped).jpg
| nominee2          = [[Johnny DuPree]]
| party2            = Democratic Party (US)
| popular_vote2     = 348,617
| percentage2       = 39.0%
| map_image         = File:2011 Mississippi gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size          = 125px
| map_caption       = County results
| title             = [[Governor of Mississippi|Governor]]
| before_election   = [[Haley Barbour]]
| before_party      = Republican Party (US)
| after_election    = [[Phil Bryant]]
| after_party       = Republican Party (US)
}}
{{main|2011 Mississippi gubernatorial election}}
Incumbent [[List of Governors of Mississippi|Governor]] [[Haley Barbour]] was term-limited in 2011.

The Republican candidates included author, small business owner, and Baptist minister James Broadwater; Lt. Governor [[Phil Bryant]]; former New Orleans Federal Reserve Board Chairman Dave Dennis; and  Pearl River County District Supervisor [[Hudson Holliday]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G11/MS|title=Mississippi 2011 Off-Year Election}}</ref> Bryant won the Republican nomination by a wide margin.<ref>http://www.clarionledger.com/misc/election/electionresults.html {{dead link|date=March 2022}}</ref>

Prominent state businessman Bill Luckett<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.luckettforgovernor.com/ |title=千亿体育-官网 |access-date=2022-05-30 |archive-date=2021-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228180517/http://www.luckettforgovernor.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Hattiesburg, Mississippi|Hattiesburg]] Mayor [[Johnny DuPree]] were two declared Democratic candidates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politics1.com/ms.htm|title = Politics1 - Online Guide to Mississippi Elections, Candidates & Politics}}</ref> Dupree defeated Luckett in the Primary runoff to win the Democratic nomination.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2011/by_county/MS_Governor_0823.html?SITE=AP&SECTION=POLITICS |title=News from the Associated Press |access-date=2011-09-10 |archive-date=2012-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022141158/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2011/by_county/MS_Governor_0823.html?SITE=AP&SECTION=POLITICS |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Bryant ended up defeating Dupree in the general election.

The [[Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi|Lieutenant Governor]] was elected separately.

{{Election box begin no change |title=2011 Mississippi gubernatorial election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Phil Bryant]]
  |votes      = 544,851
  |percentage = 60.98
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Johnny DuPree]]
  |votes      = 348,617
  |percentage = 39.02
}}{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 893,468
  |percentage = 100.00
}}{{Election box hold with party link no change
  |winner     = Republican Party (US)
}}{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}

== West Virginia (special) ==
{{Infobox election
| election_name     = 2011 West Virginia gubernatorial special election
| country           = West Virginia
| type              = presidential
| ongoing           = no
| previous_election = 2008 West Virginia gubernatorial election
| previous_year     = 2008
| election_date     = October 4, 2011
| next_election     = 2012 West Virginia gubernatorial election
| next_year         = 2012
| image_size        = x150px
| image1            = File:Earl Ray Tomblin 2 (cropped).jpg
| nominee1          = '''[[Earl Ray Tomblin]]'''
| party1            = Democratic Party (US)
| popular_vote1     = '''149,202'''
| percentage1       = '''49.6%'''
| image2            = File:Bill Maloney.jpg
| nominee2          = [[Bill Maloney]]
| party2            = Republican Party (US)
| popular_vote2     = 141,656
| percentage2       = 47.0%
| map_image         = File:2011 West Virginia gubernatorial special election results map by county.svg
| map_size          = 230px
| map_caption       = County results
| title             = [[Governor of West Virginia|Governor]]
| before_election   = [[Earl Ray Tomblin]]
| before_party      = Democratic Party (US)
| after_election    = [[Earl Ray Tomblin]]
| after_party       = Democratic Party (US)
}}
{{main|2011 West Virginia gubernatorial special election}}
The [[Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia]] ruled on January 18, 2011 that the state must hold a special gubernatorial election in 2011<ref name="hotlineoncall.nationaljournal">{{cite web|url=http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/01/court-orders-we.php |title = Court Orders West Virginia Special Election This Year - Hotline On Call  |access-date=January 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131210722/http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/01/court-orders-we.php |archive-date=January 31, 2011 }}</ref> to fill the vacancy resulting from [[Joe Manchin]]'s election to the [[United States Senate]]. State Senate President [[Earl Ray Tomblin]] ascended to the office of Acting Governor in 2010; he is eligible to seek election for the remainder of Manchin's term and has stated that he will do so.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wvgazette.com/News/201101071343|title=W.Va. governor race begins|date=January 7, 2011|access-date=January 20, 2011|work=[[The Charleston Gazette]]|first=Chris|last=Dickerson|archive-date=January 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113015444/http://wvgazette.com/News/201101071343|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Other Democratic candidates included state House Speaker [[Richard Thompson (West Virginia politician)|Rick Thompson]], Acting President of the [[West Virginia Senate]] [[Jeffrey V. Kessler]], [[Secretary of State of West Virginia|state Secretary of State]] [[Natalie Tennant]], and state Treasurer [[John Perdue]].<ref name="hotlineoncall.nationaljournal" /> Tomlin overcame intra-party opposition in the May 14 primary and thus advanced to the general election.<ref name="apps">{{cite web|url=http://apps.sos.wv.gov/elections/results/statesummary.aspx |title = WV SOS - Elections  |access-date=May 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517225644/http://apps.sos.wv.gov/elections/results/statesummary.aspx |archive-date=May 17, 2011 }}</ref>

The Declared Republican candidates include former Secretary of State [[Betty Ireland]], state Senate Minority Whip [[Clark Barnes]],<ref name="hotlineoncall.nationaljournal" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G11/WV|title=West Virginia 2011 Off-Year Election}}</ref> and Putnam County Prosecutor Mark Sorsaia.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dcpoliticalreport.com/WV.htm#Gov | title=D.C.'s Political Report: West Virginia Congressional and Statewide Races }}</ref> U.S. Representative [[Shelley Moore Capito]] and businessman [[John Raese]] have both stated that they will not run.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/554719/Capito-is-pleased-with-special-election-decision.html|title=Capito is pleased with special election decision|date=January 20, 2011|access-date=January 20, 2011|work=[[Martinsburg, West Virginia#Print|The Journal]]|first=John|last=McVey|archive-date=September 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927231903/http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/554719/Capito-is-pleased-with-special-election-decision.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Businessman [[Bill Maloney]] won the Republican primary in an upset and faced Tomblin in the general election.<ref name="apps" />

In the general election, Tomblin defeated Maloney.

{{Election box begin no change |title=2011 West Virginia gubernatorial special election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Earl Ray Tomblin]] (incumbent)
  |votes      = 149,202
  |percentage = 49.55
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Bill Maloney]]
  |votes      = 141,656
  |percentage = 47.05
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Mountain Party
  |candidate  = Bob Henry Baber
  |votes      = 6,083
  |percentage = 2.02
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Independent (US)
  |candidate  = Marla Ingels
  |votes      = 2,875
  |percentage = 0.95
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = American Third Position Party
  |candidate  = Harry Bertram
  |votes      = 1,111
  |percentage = 0.37
}}{{Election box write-in with party link no change
  |votes      = 157
  |percentage = 0.05
}}{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 301,084
  |percentage = 100.00
}}{{Election box hold with party link no change
  |winner     = Democratic Party (US)
}}{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{2011 United States elections}}
{{United States gubernatorial elections}}

[[Category:2011 United States gubernatorial elections| ]]
[[Category:October 2011 events in the United States]]
[[Category:November 2011 events in the United States| ]]