DALLAS, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Only 11 states will elect governors this year but there are a handful of close contests to be decided in next week's U.S. elections.
The battle for the White House and some hot races for the U.S. Senate and House have overshadowed the governors' contests, but there are some expensive and tight battles.
Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist who monitors state government, said the only toss-ups right now are in Missouri, New Hampshire and Utah. There are also close races in Indiana, Montana, Vermont and Washington state.
Republicans currently hold a 28-22 advantage in governor's offices across the country. Sabato said there could be a few changes in party control after Tuesday's election or it could be "a near wash."
The Missouri race is one of the most closely watched. Democratic candidate Claire McCaskill and Republican Matt Blunt have raised more than $7.3 million in what may be the most expensive governor's race in state history, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said.
McCaskill, the state auditor, defeated incumbent Gov. Bob Holden in the Democratic primary, in order to face Blunt, the secretary of state and son of Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.
