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Democrats know theyre not likely to win back the House this fall. They are steeling themselves for a loss of Senate seats while hoping to hang on to a majority.

But in governors races, Democrats are on offense believing theyll be in better shape come January than they are now.

Just like Democrats picked up a large number of Senate seats in 2008 that the party has to defend this year, Republicans won a large number of governors races during the big tea party wave of 2010. This year, the GOP has to defend those seats, including a number in swing states and Democratic-leaning states.

So, Democrats are hoping to defeat Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who won office in Maine with a mere 38% of the vote four years ago, thanks largely to an independent candidate who splintered the vote.

Mr. LePage is at the top of both parties lists of most-endangered GOP governors, along with Govs. Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania and Rick Scott of Florida. Polling suggests that Messrs. Corbett and Scott face tough re-election races, and Democrats are likely to aim resources at both states.

The Democrats second tier of targets includes a trio of Midwestern governors Wisconsins Scott Walker, Michigans Rick Snyder and Ohios John Kasich each of whom has enacted Republican policies in states that twice voted for Barack Obama.

Democrats are also, for now at least, making longshot efforts in Georgia, South Carolina, Kansas and Arizona. Overall, Republicans now control 29 of 50 governors mansions.

The Journals Peter Nicholas writes today about Wisconsin and former bicycle-company executive Mary Burkes campaign to oust Gov. Mr. Walker. Ms. Burkes effort is squarely in the second tier of Democratic gubernatorial races, but she is symbolic of this years Democratic hopes.

The Democrats optimism is rooted in the fact that Mr. Obama won Wisconsin and the other five states where they are fighting hardest in 2012 by highlighting GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romneys views on womens health issues, such as his pledge to defund Planned Parenthood. Messrs. Walker and Kasich, Democrats argue, have already implemented essentially what Romney said he would do during the last campaigns in those states.

Ms. Burke, as Mr. Nicholas writes, is steering clear of the toxic labor wars that marked Mr. Walkers first term. Instead she is trying to define herself as a pro-business Democrat while attacking Mr. Walker on social issues and his failure to create the 250,000 jobs he promised when first running for governor four years ago. Mr. Walker responds that the unemployment rate has fallen in Wisconsin during his tenure and that the vast majority of people in the state are now better off.

Originally posted here:
Democrats Pin Hopes on Ousting GOP Governors