After all, he was the popular two-term governor of the nation's fourth most populous state.

As a former two-term governor, Nelson remains a firm believer in states' rights.

He's a successful two-term governor who was re-elected with 69 percent of the vote in New Mexico, a red state.

He is a two-term governor and also represented New Mexico in Congress for 14 years.

Politically, as a state legislator, Congressman and two-term Governor, he has always been establishment.

Jay Hammond, a former two-term Governor, was both a guide and an agent before he became a politician.

Both men had been immensely popular two-term governors who had differed sharply on many major issues.

Five months before the election, though, this two-term Governor appears to be about as close to political invulnerability as most mortals get.

Connecticut's race, with a two-term governor versus a former state comptroller, is strangely similar to New York's.