Governors:   This year, three governorships were decided. In Kentucky , incumbent Steve Beshear (D) fended off a challenge from Senate President David L. Williams (R). Voters in Mississippi chose current Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant (R) over Johnny DuPree (D) to succeed term-limited Governor Haley Barbour (R).  

In Louisiana , incumbent Governor Bobby Jindal (R) won reelection outright by obtaining 50% of the vote in the October 22 primary over nine total opponents – four Democrats, four independents, and one Libertarian. Jay Dardenne (R) has won the election for lieutenant governor.

Legislatures:  Four states held legislative elections this year: Mississippi (122 House seats, 52 Senate seats), Louisiana (105 House seats, 39 Senate seats), New Jersey (80 Assembly seats, 40 Senate seats), and Virginia (100 House seats, 40 Senate seats).  

Before the elections, the Republicans controlled both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature , the Mississippi Senate, and the Virginia House; while the Democrats hold both chambers of the New Jersey Legislature , the Mississippi House, and the Virginia Senate.  

After the elections, the Republicans are likely to keep control of the Mississippi Senate and the Virginia House; while the Democrats will hold both chambers of the New Jersey Legislature . The split in the Mississippi House is currently 59 Democrats, 61 Republicans, with 2 races still undecided. The Virginia Senate appears to be split evenly at 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans, with one seat likely headed to a recount. Should this result be sustained, the GOP would control the Senate by way of Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling (R).  

In Louisiana , the GOP retained the majority in both chambers as a result of legislative primary elections held October 22. The Republicans will have a 24 – 15 majority in the Senate, while at least holding a 54 – 39 majority in the House. Eleven house seats remain undecided and will go to a November 19 runoff election.  

There were also two recall elections of state legislators. In Arizona , Senate President Russell Pearce (R) lost to fellow Republican Jerry Lewis. In Michigan , Representative Paul Scott (R) also was recalled. A February, 2012, special election will be held to fill the seat.

Ballot Measures:   Several states had policy questions on their ballots this year. Louisiana voters decided property tax and other budgetary issues. In Maine , voters decided on same-day voting and gambling issues. In Mississippi , measures to define fetuses as persons, a voter ID requirement, and a prohibition on eminent domain were on the ballot.  

New Jersey voters decided whether to allow certain sports betting at casinos and racetracks. In Ohio , voters determined whether collective bargaining restrictions and mandatory health care purchases will be sustained. In Texas , several taxation and bonding questions were on the ballot.  Among other questions, Washington voters decided whether to privatize liquor stores and reinstatement of background check requirements for certain long-term care workers.