County government veterans eye statewide, higher office

Key Takeaways

Voters in November will decide whether a wave of county government experience moves into governors’ mansions, state­houses and Congress.

Governor

In Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley (D), who has led the county since 2020, faces Rep. Tom Tiffany (R) in the race to succeed retiring Gov. Tony Evers (D). If he and running mate Sarah Godlewski take office, they will be the eighth ticket in which both governor and lieutenant governor have erved in county government in U.S. history. Currently secretary of state, Godlewski directed the Arapahoe County, Colo., Office of Strategy and Performance from 2012 to 2016.

In New York, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who has held the post since 2022, won the Republican nomination to take on Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

In Minnesota, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D), who served as Hennepin County attorney from 1999 to 2007, faces Republican state House Speaker Lisa Demuth in the race to succeed Gov. Tim Walz (D), who is not seeking re-election.

In Idaho, Terri Pickens (D), a former Nez Perce County public defender, is challenging Gov. Brad Little (R), who is seeking a third term.

Lieutenant governor

In addition to Godlewski, four candidates with county experience are on the ballot for lieutenant governor across the country.

Colorado: Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper is running with Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Weiser, the state’s attorney general. They face Republican Victor Marx and his running mate, George Markert.

Iowa: Crawford County Supervisor Dave Muhlbauer is running with Democratic nominee Rob Sand, the state auditor. They face Republican Zach Lahn and state Rep. Derek Wulf.

Michigan: State Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R), a former St. Clair County clerk, is running with U.S. Rep. John James. They face Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks.

Ohio: Former Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper (2007–2011) is running with Democratic nominee Amy Acton, former director of the Ohio Department of Health. They face Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Ohio Senate President Rob McColley.

U.S. Senate

In Illinois, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D) faces Republican Don Tracy in the race to succeed retiring Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D). From 2011 to 2014, Stratton was executive director of the Cook County Justice Advisory Council.

Abdul El-Sayed, a Michigan Democrat facing former Rep. Mike Rogers (R), served as director of Wayne County’s Department of Health, Human, and Veterans Services between 2023 and 2025.

Oregon state Sen. David Brock Smith (R), a former Curry County commissioner, is running against incumbent Sen. Jeff Merkley (D).

In Louisiana, former Tensas Parish Police Juror Jamie Davis is the Democratic nominee. He faces Rep. Julia Letlow (R), who defeated Sen. Bill Cassidy (R) in the Republican primary.

U.S. House

• California: Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis (D) is seeking a return to the House in the 38th District against Republican Pedro Casas. She served in the House from 2001 to 2009 and as U.S. secretary of labor from 2009 to 2013. (Read more about Solis’ political journey on page 1.) San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan (D) faces fellow Democrat state Sen. Scott Wiener in the race to succeed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) in the 11th District.  San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond (R) faces San Diego City Council Member Marni von Wilpert (D) for the open 48th District. Nevada County Supervisor Robb Tucker (R) is challenging Rep. Ami Bera (D) in the 3rd District. A former Sonoma County supervisor, state Sen. Mike McGuire (D) is challenging Rep. James Gallagher (R) in the 1st District. 
• Indiana: Porter County Commissioner Barb Regnitz (R) is challenging Rep. Frank Mrvan (D) in the 1st District.
• Oregon: Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair (R) is challenging Rep. Janelle Bynum (D) in the 5th District.
• Washington: Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney (R) faces Democrat John Duresky in the race to succeed retiring Rep. Dan Newhouse (R) in the 4th District. Former Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Carmela Conroy (D) is challenging Rep. Michael Baumgarten (R) in the 5th District.
• Illinois: Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller (D) faces Republican Mike Noack in the 2nd District. The seat is open because Rep. Robin Kelly (D) ran for the Senate and lost the primary to Stratton. Champaign County Board Member Jeff Wilson (R) is challenging Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D) in the 13th District.
• Pennsylvania: Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie (D) is challenging Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R) in the 1st District. Beaver County Sheriff Tony Guy (R) is challenging Rep. Chris Deluzio (D) in the 17th District.
• Tennessee: Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk Heidi Kuhn (D) is challenging Rep. David Kustoff (R) in the 8th District. 
•  Florida: Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert III (D) is running against Te Brown (R) in the 24th District, while former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman (D) is challenging Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R) in the 12th District.
• Virginia: Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor (D) is challenging Rep. Rob Wittman (R) in the 1st District.
• Texas: Former Fort Bend County Constable Trever Nehls (R) is running against Marquette Green-Scott (D) for the 22nd District seat. Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina (R) is challenging Rep. Henry Cuellar (D) in the 28th District. Bexar County Sheriff’s Deputy Johnny Garcia (D) is running against Carlos De La Cruz (R) in the 35th District.

Former county officials are contesting races in seven states:

• Arizona: Former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb (R) is running against Democrat Elizabeth Lee in the 5th District.
• Louisiana: Former Ouachita Parish Police Juror Pat Moore (D) is running against several candidates for the 5th District seat.
• Michigan: Christina Hines (D), a former Wayne County assistant prosecuting attorney, faces Republican Michael Bouchard in the 10th District. The seat is open because James is running for governor.
• New York: Former Suffolk County Executive Patrick Halpin (D) is challenging Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R) in the 2nd District. Former Otsego County Legislator Peter Oberacker (R) is challenging Rep. Josh Riley (D) in the 19th District. Monroe County Legislator Virginia McIntyre (R) is challenging Rep. Joe Morelle (D) in the 25th District.
• North Carolina: Raymond Smith, Jr. (D), a former member of the Wayne County Board of Elections, is challenging Rep. Greg Murphy (R) in the 3rd District.
• Wyoming: Former Albany County Library Director Lisa Kenny (D) is running for the state’s open at-large seat against Republican Chuck Gray.
• Utah: Former Rep. Ben McAdams (D), who served as Salt Lake County mayor, is running against Riley Owen (R) in the 1st District.