US: Democrats are expected to make significant gains in governors' races on Tuesday, including wins in several battleground states that could give the party an edge in the 2008 White House race.
Republicans are defending 22 of the 36 governors' offices up for grabs on Tuesday, including nine where the Republican incumbent is not on the ballot. Democrats must defend 14 governorships but only one without an incumbent.
The lopsided political map and a harsh national climate for Republicans have Democrats primed to pick up at least the four governorships needed for a national majority and possibly several more. Republicans hold 28 governors' offices to 22 for Democrats.
Four days before the election, Democrats are favourites in races for five open Republican offices in Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, Colorado and Arkansas.
Other crucial battlegrounds include Republican-held Minnesota, Maryland, Idaho, Nevada, Alaska and Rhode Island, and Democratic-held Oregon, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine.
In California, Republican governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has opened up a double-digit lead on his Democratic challenger. - (Reuters)