I know that everyone is consumed with the presidential contest right now, but with the exception of New Hampshire, every governor’s race from here to 2010 will have implications for congressional redistricting. Republicans are going to lose a lot of House seats in 2012 if they don’t win important battles at the state level this year. By contrast, strong election performances on the state level could gain them anywhere from 15 to 30 seats in the next decade by dint of redistricting alone.

Just to put the topic back on your radar, Republican governors will be playing defense in Indiana, Missouri and Vermont this year. The GOP would also like to re-defeat Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) in Washington State and pick up an open spot in North Carolina.