United States gubernatorial elections, 1997

The gubernatorial elections in the United States in 1997 took place on 4 November 1997. Was elected to the states of New Jersey and Virginia. In both cases, the Office of the Governor was still exercised by a member of the Republican Party.

In New Jersey, the Republican Christine Todd Whitman, who had four years before the Democratic incumbent James Florio defeated stepped in again. When opposing candidates presented to the Democrats Jim McGreevey, member of the State Senate and Mayor of Woodbridge Township. During the eight other candidates of smaller parties had a relatively high share of the vote in their entirety, were neither Whitman nor McGreevey on the absolute majority. Ultimately, the Governor sufficed 47.1 percent, to defend their office; the challenger was defeated with 46 percent, was a candidate four years later but again and was about victorious. Murray Sabrin of the Libertarian Party took 4.7 per cent of votes in third.

As for the governor of Virginia, according to the state constitution only a four-year term is possible, the Republican George Allen could run a second time. His party set with Jim Gilmore on the Attorney General of the State which decided the election with secure advantage for themselves. With 55.8 percent of the vote he distanced Democrat Don Beyer, previously Deputy Governor under Allen, clearly; this reached 42.6 percent. With Sue Harris DEBAUCHE of the Reform Party, there was a third candidate who came to 1.5 percent of the vote.