WHILE AMERICANS VOTED DECISIVELY FOR CHANGE IN the White House, they rejected it in the Governors' mansions. Neither women nor candidates who challenged incumbents could claim a single victory. Even so, the Democrats increased their governorships from 28 to 30, while the Republican total dropped from 20 to 18 (two Governors are independents).
A pro-incumbent mood kept Democrats in power in Indiana, Vermont, West Virginia and Rhode Island. In staunchly Republican Indiana, Democrat Evan Bayh, 36, remained America's youngest Governor, winning nearly two-thirds of the vote. Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt returned to power, riding plans for crime fighting and...