Moving into Stately Mansions

The G.O.P. grabs itself four Guvs

The Reagan quake that rocked the nation did not stop at the White House and halls of Congress. As the chandeliers swung, Democrats tumbled out of four Governors' mansions too. Of the 13 Governors' races, ten involved states held by Democrats. By winning seven of the 13, the Republicans slashed the Democratic gubernatorial edge from 31 to 19, to 27 to 23, As expected, the two Republican incumbents--Delaware's Pierre S. Du Pont IV and Vermont's Richard Snelling coasted to victory, while Indiana's Lieutenant Governor Robert Orr succeeded his retiring G.O.P. predecessor, Otis Bowen. There was a mild upset in North Dakota, where Republican State Attorney General Allen Olson edged out the incumbent, Democrat Arthur Link. Democratic Governors won re-election in North Carolina, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Utah. In Montana, Democratic Lieutenant Governor Ted Schwinden won the top job after upsetting Governor Thomas Judge in the primary. It may be days before the outcome is known in Puerto Rico, where Statehood Advocate and incumbent Governor Carlos Romero Barcelo finished in a virtual dead heat with former Governor Rafael Hernandez Colon, who favors keeping the island's commonwealth status.

Four of the most intriguing races:

Missouri. Republican Christopher ("Kit") Bond, 41, was a rising star of the G.O.P. until he was unexpectedly defeated for a second term as Governor by Democrat Joseph Teasdale in 1976. Now Bond is shining once again after beating Teasdale, 53% to 47%. As he did in 1976, Teasdale depicted himself as an advocate of the common man and hit hard at Bond's patrician upbringing (Deerfield-Princeton-University of Virginia).

Bond parried the attacks by stumping vigorously across the state, jacket off and tie loosened. He ripped Teasdale as an incompetent administrator who appointed cronies to government jobs and had never delivered on his promise to lower electric utility rates. Said Bond: "I'm not going to make a lot of promises, because I can't outpromise the Great Promiser."

West Virginia. Ever since his election as Governor in 1976, Democrat John D. ("Jay") Rockefeller IV, 43, has been believed to nourish hopes of entering the national political arena--but only after winning a second term as Governor. He easily defeated his Republican opponent, scrappy former Governor Arch Moore, 57, but at an eyebrow-raising cost: Rockefeller spent an estimated $9.5 million, all but $200,000 of it from his personal funds. When a final accounting is made, he may beat the gubernatorial record of $10 million spent by his Uncle Nelson in New York in 1966.

Rockefeller's spending became the main issue of the campaign. Moore, whose expenses totaled $814,000, denounced his opponent for "trying to buy the election," but Rockefeller deflected the criticism by arguing that his inherited wealth insulated him from pressure by special-interest groups. Moore belittled Rockefeller's claim that he wielded clout in Washington in developing a national coal policy favorable to the state. Rockefeller, however, took credit for West Virginia's increased coal production (up to 112 million tons in 1979, the highest level since 1973). He now has his second term--and possibly a platform from which to launch a national career.

Washington. Ever since he lost to Democrat Dixy Lee Ray in 1976, King County Executive John Spellman, 53, anticipated with relish another battle with the crusty lady this year. Instead the Republican faced--and defeated--Seattle State Senator James McDermott, 43, who had trounced Ray in the Democratic primary. The two men clashed on nearly every issue: McDermott opposed an oil pipeline under Puget Sound and favored restricting log exports so that the wood could be processed within the state, thereby creating additional jobs; Spellman backed the pipeline and supported the exports. McDermott, a psychiatrist by profession, admitted that projected budget deficits over the next two years (up to $1 billion) might trigger higher taxes, while Spellman pledged a balanced budget. During one debate, Spellman brandished a waffle to illustrate his charge that McDermott vacillated on the issues. Outspending his rival $1.2 million to $600,000, Spellman asked in a newspaper ad: "Do you want a liberal psychiatrist as your Governor?" Washingtonians answered no, 56% to 44%.

Arkansas. When he was first elected in 1978, Democrat William Clinton, 34, became the nation's youngest Governor--and one of his party's most promising newcomers. But in the biggest upset of the gubernatorial elections, Clinton lost by a margin of 4% to Republican Frank D. White, 47, president of a Little Rock savings and loan association. An Annapolis graduate and a onetime Democrat, White was director of the state's industrial development commission in 1975 and 1976, his only government experience.

White hammered hard at Clinton for raising gasoline taxes and automobile registration fees. A budget-paring conservative, he promised to cut back the fees and reduce the number of state employees. White also attacked Clinton for the White House decision to house Cuban refugees at Fort Chaffee, Ark., last spring, though Clinton himself berated the Administration for its handling of the influx. What nudged White over the top, however, was the vote-pulling strength of Reagan. In a deeply Democratic state, he battled Jimmy Carter to a draw.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.