Gubernatorial elections in the USA as a mirror of the socio-economic situation: the old industrial region of The Great Lakes, 1976–2000

Abstract

This article, based on statistical data and other sources, analyzes the results of gubernatorial elections held in the Great Lakes region of the US from 1976 to 2000. This territory is particular ly interesting due to the old industrial nature of its economy and the social problems that arose from the partial destruction of traditional manufacturing in the 1960s and 1970s. An analysis of statistical data shows that the labor market situation had a significant influence on the results of gubernatorial elections, while the rise in unemployment noticeably weakened the position of the ruling party, regardless of whether the Democrats or Republicans were in power. A juxta position of two noticeably different periods (1976–1989 and 1990–2000) and a comparison be tween the Great Lakes region and the US as a whole indicates that the electorate in this old indus trial region was highly responsive to changes in the economic situation. The database (with fur ther expansions) may be useful for predicting some domestic political trends and the results of statewide elections in the US.