The 2013 election is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013. There are no federal races for U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives in the 2013 election. But there are several high-profile statewide races taking place in some parts of the country, particularly for governor.
Congressional elections are held in even-numbered years, and state elections are held in odd-numbered years. Here's a summary of what's on the ballot in the 2013 election.
2013 Election for New Jersey Governor
There are two elections for governor in 2013, in New Jersey and Virginia.
The race for governor in New Jersey is expected to receive national attention because Republican Gov. Chris Christie, who is expected to seek re-election, is also considered one of several potential 2016 presidential candidates.
Christie's potential opponents include the outspoken mayor of Newark, Cory Booker. Like Christie, Booker already has been in the national spotlight. He was given a prominent speaking role at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Other potential Democratic candidates include several members of New Jersey's General Assembly who aren't as well known as Booker.
A Quinnipiac University poll conducting before the 2013 election campaigns began found a majority of New Jersey voters approved of the job Christie was doing, and that most believed he deserved re-election.
The survey found Booker would fare the best against Christie. "A sneak peak at the 2013 election for governor shows Newark Mayor Cory Booker could give Gov. Christie a run for his money, if the mayor decides to run," Maurice Carroll, the director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said.
2013 Election for Virginia Governor
Similarly, Virginia's Republican governor, Gov. Bob McDonnell, is prohibited from seeking re-election under the state constitution but was very popular among voters heading into the 2013 election. His support among young voters and women was seen as a potential model for Republicans candidates who suffered in the 2012 election.
"He is the only Republican office-holder in the seven states surveyed by Quinnipiac University who get positive ratings from women, almost 2-1 in this case, and a plus score from black voters. A 2-1 approval rating among young voters doesn't hurt," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Are national GOP leaders paying attention here?"
The race for governor in Virginia is also expected to receive some national attention because it could feature two prominent figures in the Democratic Party: U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, a former governor and one of the wealthiest members of Congress, and Terry McAuliffe, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee. The Republican hopefuls include Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.
2013 Elections for Mayor
There will be several high-profile elections for mayor in big U.S. cities in 2013. They will include races in Los Angeles, Boston and New York, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg is statutorily prohibited from seeking a fourth term but has signaled his intention to use super PAC money to influence that race.
