Gov. Tim Walz, D-minn., newly appointed chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, is inheriting a handful of key governorship races in 2024 — four of which he believes should be a priority for Democrats.

Walz said he thinks Washington state, North Carolina, Delaware, and New Hampshire are the most important governor races to focus on heading into next year’s election cycle. Democrats are entering 2024 with some momentum after an overall successful 2023 election season, particularly Gov. Andy Beshear’s, D-KY., defeat of now-former Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

“I tried my hardest to get [ Washington Gov.] Jay Inslee to stay again. He could be my governor forever,” Walz said in an interview with Politico. “There, of course, and in North Carolina and Delaware, where we’re term-limited with [North Carolina Gov.] Roy Cooper and [Delaware Gov.] John Carney.”

“I think there’s a golden opportunity in New Hampshire,” Walz continued, referring to outgoing Gov. Chris Sununu, R-N.H. “I can tell you those four states are a priority, especially with our incumbent governors being term-limited.”

Walz also believes former President Donald Trump will play a significant role in the 2024 governors’ races.

“He is going to play a role. But look, the DGA does something different, and Andy Beshear did this. He didn’t spend a ton of time talking about President Trump,” Walz added. “He talked about the things impacting people in their states. I think that’s the difference with governors.”

Several 2023 elections saw a trend of Republicans hoping to draw in criticism of President Joe Biden as a way to sway voters after the GOP’S less-than-expected performance in the 2022 midterm elections. Republicans, particularly in the Kentucky governor’s race and Virginia legislature elections, saw a similar defeat in November as they did last year.

“We’re not naive. This is going to be nationalized in some of these races,” Walz admitted. “But governors have a much better way, and especially good ones, of bringing it back down. Andy Beshear did that, and he won because of that.”

Success for Democrats in the 2024 governor races could be a springboard for other candidates to the national level. The Minnesota governor said the 2028 presidential nominee for Democrats could potentially be a sitting governor.

“For me, personally, I think it would be a good choice for it to be one of them because I’ve seen them deliver. I’ve seen all these governors have to make hard decisions every day, and they have to deliver,” Walz said, adding, “I’m biased towards governors, but they’re prov

Success for Democrats in the 2024 governor races could be a springboard for other candidates to the national level. The Minnesota governor said the 2028 presidential nominee for Democrats could potentially be a sitting governor.

en. They’ve done great.”

In Washington state, Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson has emerged as the early front-runner for the governorship. He received an endorsement from Gov. Jay Inslee, D-wash., and Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-wash., and Suzan DelBene, D-wash. The race is crowded, with Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz and state Sen. Mark Mullet, as Ferguson’s two top Democratic opponents, per the Washington State Standard.

North Carolina’s gubernatorial race will be significant, as Gov. Roy Cooper has served as Democrats’ last line of defense against the state’s Republican-controlled legislature. Republicans are lining up to become the party’s nominee, including state treasurer Dale Folwell and Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. On the Democratic side, Attorney General Josh Stein and former state Supreme Court Justice Mike Morgan are running to replace Cooper. A poll from Meredith College in November found Stein leading Robinson, 38% to 36%, with polls taken earlier in the year showing Robinson with slight leads ahead of Stein.

Delaware Lt. Gov. Bethany HallLong declared her intention to run for governor in September, receiving Gov. John Carney’s endorsement, per WHYY. New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer announced his candidacy in June, telling supporters in September to watch out for a formal bid launch soon. No Republican has announced plans to run for governor in 2024.

Eyes will be on New Hampshire, as well, after Sununu announced he will not run for reelection in July. Sununu was floated as a possible 2024 presidential candidate but said in June he would not enter the already-crowded GOP primary race. The most notable candidates running to replace Sununu are former Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig.