Thread by @kazweida

Midterms aren't just about taking back Congress.

It's about taking back states where voter suppression & gerrymandering enable the GOP to draw district maps & ignore constituents on issues like healthcare.

Here are the most important governor races to watch.
(THREAD)
#WaveCast

(2) Think of these governors races as the big 10.

They're important because they'll break up a trifecta (where the GOP controls all branches of state government) or it's a flippable seat where the balance of power will lean Dem.

GA, FL, ME, IL, OH, KS, IA, NV, SD, WI
#WaveCast

(3) In Georgia, @staceyabrams is up against voter suppression expert Brian Kemp. Stacey could become the first US black female governor.

This race is a tossup but big young voter turnout & a court decision to block "exact match" rules may turn the tide blue.
#WaveCastGA

(4) In Florida, @AndrewGillum is the man to watch. The Tallahassee mayor is running against climate change denier & less than subtle racist DeSantis

538 has this race as lean Dem despite close polling. Given Gillum's charisma & young voter turnout numbers, I'd agree. #WaveCastFL

(5) You may not have this one on your radar, but Maine's governor race is important. The state is on the cusp of tipping blue & outgoing Republican Gov. LePage's racist comments aren't helping the GOP candidate.

Maine's attorney general @JanetMillsforME leads by 8%.
#WaveCastME

(6) In Illinois, Dems looked poised to flip the governor's seat. Republican Bruce Rauner is one of the most unpopular governors in the country who has run on anti-immigration rhetoric. His Dem opponent, @JBPritzker is leading by nearly double digits in some polls.
#WaveCastIL

(7) In Ohio, we've got a fight for governor in a state that won Trump the Presidency between Dem @RichCordray & DeWine, current Attorney General & former senator.

The good news is Ohio may have finally gotten wise to GOP rhetoric.
Cordray currently leads by 4%.
#WaveCastOH

(8) Kansas hasn’t voted for a Dem in a presidential election since 1964, but they're close to a referendum against GOP governor Kris Kobach.

His white nationalist leanings, anti-immigration rhetoric & voter suppression tactics have @SenatorKelly nipping at his heels. #WaveCastKS

(9) Trump won Iowa by almost 10%, but the GOP governor appears to be struggling to hold her seat against Dem challenger @FredHubbell

538 rates this race as lean Dem, although recent polls have conflicting results. Look for more of the midwest to turn blue this year.
#WaveCastIA

(10) Nevada has got one of the tightest races for governor in the country, where Attorney General Adam Laxalt leads by a slim margin against Dem @SteveSisolak

Given some astounding young voter turnout this election cycle, an upset is not out of the question in NV.
#WaveCastNV

(11) Despite the fact that South Dakota is deep red country, Republican Kristi Noem is having a hard time topping polls against Billie Sutton, Dem challenger & a former rodeo rider.

Although 538 rates this race as likely R, polls in late October reported a tie.
#WaveCastSD

(12) Last but certainly not least we have Wisconsin, where wildly unpopular GOP governor Scott Walker is trying to grab a third term against Dem challenger @Tony4WI

538 & other experts have suggested Evers might actually squeak out a narrow victory in Wisconsin. #WaveCastWI

(13) I'll continue to closely monitor these key governor races and others across the country right through Election Day as part of our #WaveCast coverage.

Stay tuned for more, folks and thanks for following.