I decided the best way to do this was to look at years that a state switched senators, and then checking if there was an open gubernatorial election in that same year.
I picked Massachusetts and NH, as the two states I care most about. The former I want to be my home, the latter that currently is my home. Short answer: NH=2002, MA=1944.
For Massachusetts I initially thought it had never occurred, but I missed that they had two year terms up until 1966. Upon noticing that, I realized it occurred in 1944. I believe this is the only time Massachusetts had both an open senate and gubernatorial election. Wouldn't hurt to have someone double check that since I initially missed 1944.
More details:
MA's open senate seats that were filled in an even year November election, working backwards: 2010, 1984, 1966, 1962 (special), 1944 (special), and 1930. There were no other open seat senate elections that occurred after the 17th amendment was adopted and MA switched to electing senators by popular vote. Of those years, gubernatorial elections were held in: 2010, 1966, 1962, 1944, and 1930. Incumbents Patrick (2010), Volpe (1966), Volpe (1962), and Allen (1930) ran for the governor's office.
For NH we have: 2010, and 2002. This was a lot less work. 2002 was an open seat for both the senate and gubernatorial elections. Shaheen left the governor's office open to run for the senate, and John Sununu beat the incumbent republican senator in a primary. Before that, it also occurred in 1992. Pre-1980 senate elections in NH seem to be missing wikipedia pages, removing my easy way to check if there was an incumbent running.
Was excited to look this up thinking itтАЩd be interesting. Nope, gut punch. Paul Wellstone died in a plane crash 11 days before Election Day in 2002, thus creating an open seat to go with the open seat for Governor. Fuuuuuckkk. Thanks David. Making me have a little cry on the couch.
Maryland: 1986. Virginia: 1977-78, defined as in the same Congress or cycle between a presidential and midterm race, such as 2023-24 or 2025-26, with the odd numbered year first. (Of course in VA every gubernatorial race is open.)
I'd be curious to know when this situation last arose in each state!
true that
IIRC, the answer for California is 1982.
In Connecticut it was 2010. And despite the terrible year overall for Dems, we still managed to win both.
Arizona is 1986.
I decided the best way to do this was to look at years that a state switched senators, and then checking if there was an open gubernatorial election in that same year.
I picked Massachusetts and NH, as the two states I care most about. The former I want to be my home, the latter that currently is my home. Short answer: NH=2002, MA=1944.
For Massachusetts I initially thought it had never occurred, but I missed that they had two year terms up until 1966. Upon noticing that, I realized it occurred in 1944. I believe this is the only time Massachusetts had both an open senate and gubernatorial election. Wouldn't hurt to have someone double check that since I initially missed 1944.
More details:
MA's open senate seats that were filled in an even year November election, working backwards: 2010, 1984, 1966, 1962 (special), 1944 (special), and 1930. There were no other open seat senate elections that occurred after the 17th amendment was adopted and MA switched to electing senators by popular vote. Of those years, gubernatorial elections were held in: 2010, 1966, 1962, 1944, and 1930. Incumbents Patrick (2010), Volpe (1966), Volpe (1962), and Allen (1930) ran for the governor's office.
For NH we have: 2010, and 2002. This was a lot less work. 2002 was an open seat for both the senate and gubernatorial elections. Shaheen left the governor's office open to run for the senate, and John Sununu beat the incumbent republican senator in a primary. Before that, it also occurred in 1992. Pre-1980 senate elections in NH seem to be missing wikipedia pages, removing my easy way to check if there was an incumbent running.
Was excited to look this up thinking itтАЩd be interesting. Nope, gut punch. Paul Wellstone died in a plane crash 11 days before Election Day in 2002, thus creating an open seat to go with the open seat for Governor. Fuuuuuckkk. Thanks David. Making me have a little cry on the couch.
Maryland: 1986. Virginia: 1977-78, defined as in the same Congress or cycle between a presidential and midterm race, such as 2023-24 or 2025-26, with the odd numbered year first. (Of course in VA every gubernatorial race is open.)