WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It's Election Day 2007, but the earlier-than-ever starts of the presidential and congressional campaigns have overshadowed this year's races. Still, some contests are worth watching.
Kentucky and Mississippi both have gubernatorial battles. There are state legislative contests in Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia. And a host of cities across the nation -- including Baltimore, Maryland; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and San Francisco, California -- will see mayoral elections.
In Kentucky, the incumbent governor, Republican Ernie Fletcher, is up against Democrat Steve Beshear, a former lieutenant governor.
Fletcher has a tough fight ahead, according to nonpartisan political analyst Stuart Rothenberg, editor of The Rothenberg Political Report.
Fletcher was involved in a hiring scandal, and even though the charges were dropped, the governor is on "political life support," Rothenberg said.
In Mississippi, Republican Gov. Haley Barbour is up for re-election. Barbour won the governorship four years ago by knocking off the Democratic incumbent, Ronnie Musgrove.
"Mississippi voters have thrown out two of the last three governors after one term [both Democrats], but there is still little evidence that Barbour is in immediate danger," Rothenberg said.
Barbour's opponent, attorney John Arthur Eaves, is running as a conservative evangelical Democrat. Eaves has said that Roe v. Wade should be overturned, and he's in favor of setting aside 20 minutes a day at school for voluntary prayer or faith discussion.
In Virginia, Democrats have a shot at winning back the state Senate and making gains in the state House of Delegates.
Virginia was a once solidly red state, but Democrats have won some major statewide elections this decade, with Mark Warner coming out on top in the 2001 gubernatorial election, Tim Kaine taking the 2005 race to succeed Warner and Jim Webb edging out incumbent U.S. Sen. George Allen last year.
Northern Virginia has played a major role in these Democratic wins. As the Virginia suburbs of Washington have exploded population-wise, politically they have moved from mostly red to mostly blue.
But one issue could halt this Democratic tide -- the bitter battle over illegal immigration. Republican candidates in Virginia are promising to take a hard line against illegal immigrants, including blocking them from receiving public services.
In Massachusetts, a GOP candidate in last month's special congressional election made battling illegal immigration a top issue. The Republican lost the contest but did much better than expected against the heavily favored Democrat.
It appears the immigration issue is picking up steam across the country, which could help Republicans keep control of the General Assembly in Virginia.
The races in Virginia could set the tone for next year's crucial battle for the seat of Republican Sen. John Warner, who is retiring.
But there may be wider implications. A good day for Republicans also could indicate just how much the immigration issue will be a factor in the fight for control of Congress. But a good one for Democrats would signal that Virginia could be in play in the race for the White House for the first time in four decades. E-mail to a friend 
All About Election Campaigns • Kentucky • Mississippi
| Most Viewed | Most Emailed |
From the Blogs: 
Sit tight, we're getting to the good stuff
