The 2024 election is shaping up to be an election of governors hoping to reach the highest political office, and each brings with them a record on several hot-button issues important to voters.
So far, six former or current governors have entered the 2024 race. They represent Florida, Arkansas, North Dakota, New Jersey, Indiana, and South Carolina.
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Here are the gubernatorial records of presidential candidates from their time as the executive of their state.
Ron DeSantis – Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who has been serving as governor since 2019, is entering the 2024 race with several legislative wins over the last year.
Backed by a Republican supermajority legislature, DeSantis has fulfilled multiple campaign promises to conservatives. In April, he signed a six-week abortion ban into law, one of the nation’s strictest abortion laws.
DeSantis also expanded the Parental Rights in Education law to ban “classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity” in all grades. He also signed a sweeping immigration enforcement bill that allocates $12 million to relocate immigrants to other parts of the United States and requires employers to use the E-Verify system.
In 2019, DeSantis entered the national spotlight for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Florida’s low cost of housing and favorable taxes have caused many companies and families to relocate to the Sunshine State, with businesses moving to Florida at a steady rate due to the state’s less-restrictive pandemic measures.
He also signed a fiscal 2023 budget that includes $4.4 billion for highway construction, $867 million for rail and transit program growth, and $136 million in seaport infrastructure enhancements.
“The governor has an unprecedented record of accomplishment in Florida that demonstrates his priorities and capabilities as an executive, which directly translates to what a President DeSantis would accomplish in office,” Bryan Griffin, press secretary for DeSantis, told the Washington Examiner.
Asa Hutchinson – Arkansas
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, shifted from having a staunchly conservative record to taking a centrist approach to the law.
In 2021, Hutchinson signed a near-total abortion ban into law that included an exception for the life of the mother. However, he has said he does not support a federal ban on abortion, arguing that it is a decision that should be left to the states.
As governor, he championed adding a work requirement for Arkansas’s expansion of Medicaid but does not support raising the retirement age to address the shortfalls of the Social Security and Medicare programs.
When it came to transgender issues, he was split on his response to legislation. In 2021, Hutchinson vetoed a bill that would have banned gender-affirming healthcare for minors, saying the measure was an example of “vast government outreach.” However, in March of that year, he signed a bill into law that banned transgender women and girls from competing in school sports teams consistent with their gender identity.
He has promoted himself as a “consistent conservative” and said in a statement to the Washington Examiner that he believes the U.S. would benefit from having a former governor in the White House.
“My record in Arkansas is a perfect example of effective chief executive leadership. We reduced the size of government, we lowered taxes, and we created a $2 billion surplus. I managed through a pandemic and refused the national push to shelter in place and close non-essential businesses,” Hutchinson said.
“I led on computer science education — increasing the opportunities for young people — and transformed state government to be more efficient. My record is clear: I know how to ensure government is focused on serving the people and unleashing America’s Best,” he added.
Nikki Haley – South Carolina
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley became the first female and Asian American governor of South Carolina when she was elected. She served as governor from 2011 to 2017.
One of her more notable actions as governor came in 2015 when she ordered the removal of the Confederate flag from statehouse grounds. She also appointed Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) to office in 2021. Scott himself is a presidential candidate.
In 2008, she pushed for transparency of state legislature voting records during her time in the House as a state representative. In 2011, when she became governor, Haley signed a bill that required mandatory roll-call votes for all bills and resolutions.
During and after her tenure as governor, Haley has supported traditional conservative stances on immigration, abortion, the military, and transgender issues. She has stood apart from her some of rivals by vocally supporting the war in Ukraine.
“Governor Haley’s conservative track record turned South Carolina around. As the state’s chief executive, she was a job creator, a reformer, and a steady voice in crisis,” Ken Farnaso, spokesman for Nikki Haley, told the Washington Examiner.
“She cracked down on illegal immigration, protected life, cut taxes, and made government accountable to the people. Americans know they can expect the same kind of bold leadership from a President Haley.”
Chris Christie – New Jersey
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie served in the governor’s office from 2010 to 2018.
Christie won blue-state New Jersey as a Republican in 2009 and was reelected by 22 points in 2013, winning women, Hispanics, and independent voters. He won a third of New Jersey liberals and Democrats — a key benefit to his presidential campaign as the Republican Party determines which type of candidate they want to bolster in 2024.
During his tenure as governor, he followed a conservative agenda similar to Hutchinson and Haley. He vetoed funding for Planned Parenthood. He also points to his ability to work with both sides of the aisle and sign bipartisan legislation into law.
His ability to work in a bipartisan manner as governor extended to the federal level. In 2011, he said former President Barack Obama was a “great ally” when it came to education reform.
“In eight years as Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie brought unprecedented conservative reform, including pension benefit reform, dramatically reducing crime in Camden, creating jobs, and cutting taxes in one of the bluest states in America,” a Christie campaign spokesperson told the Washington Examiner.
Doug Burgum – North Dakota
Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) entered the presidential race on Wednesday. He has served as North Dakota’s governor since 2016.
He is kicking off his 2024 campaign after a series of legislative wins on hot-button topics such as abortion, transgender issues, and gun control.
In April, Burgum signed a law banning biological men from women’s sports and affirmed the state’s near-total abortion ban. However, Burgum had vetoed a transgender bill in March that would have prohibited North Dakota teachers and government officials from recognizing “expressed gender.” A similar bill was sent to his desk in May that required students to use the bathrooms corresponding with their sex at birth, and Burgum signed it.
These issues were not mentioned during his campaign launch on Wednesday. Instead, he focused on his plans for the economy, energy, and national security. He has overseen a period of economic expansion throughout his tenure and comes from a business background as a former software executive.
He announced in 2021 a goal to get North Dakota to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. He has criticized installing new renewable energy methods — instead, he has plugged carbon capture technology to capture emissions and allow the state to continue to rely on fossil fuels.
“Americans are focused on the economy and for good reason — inflation, gas prices, and the overall cost of living is hurting working families,” Lance Trover, spokesperson for Burgum, told the Washington Examiner. “In North Dakota, Doug balanced the budget, cut taxes, and eliminated red tape allowing innovation to thrive and the state’s citizens to prosper. He knows we can do the same for America and more.”
Mike Pence – Indiana
Mike Pence served as the 50th governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017 before taking on the role of former President Donald Trump’s vice president.
As governor, he focused on fiscal responsibility, economic development, and education for youth.
Pence expanded Indiana’s charter school program and required career and technical education as a priority in every Indiana high school. In 2013, he initiated the largest tax cut in state history. He also signed laws that restricted abortion access — Pence is a vocal anti-abortion advocate.
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The state also invested $800 million in roads and bridges under Pence’s leadership, according to the Indiana governor’s history website. Pence also signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which allowed businesses to legally turn away services for same-sex couples in 2015.
“Mike Pence’s tenure as governor of Indiana only bolsters his position as the most conservative candidate in the field: he cut taxes, achieved record employment, expanded school choice, and stood for the right to life and religious liberty,” Devin O’Malley, a spokesperson for Pence, told the Washington Examiner. “It’s just another example of his conservative credentials and unmatched experience.”
