Top governors' races to watch

(CBS News) We all like to call 2012 an "election year," though among the governors gathering this Thursday in Williamsburg, Virginia for the National Governors Association annual meeting, that's true only for a select few.

There are 11 races this November (most governors come up for election in midterm and so-called "off years"), while the presidential and congressional races tend to steal the spotlight. But that doesn't mean that these aren't important contests -- in fact, the last few cycles have demonstrated yet again how the impact of gubernatorial elections can reverberate nationwide.

For instance, since 2010, state politics in places like Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida and New Jersey, among others, have drawn national attention. This year, the issue that dominates in all these states is, as it was last time, how state leadership has handled a difficult economic climate, which often forces touch choices on governors and their budgets.

Currently, Republicans hold the advantage in governorships, holding 29 seats, while Democrats occupy 20. (Rhode Island's governor is an independent.) Of the 11 gubernatorial offices up for election this November, eight are held by Democrats, leaving the Republicans an opportunity to increase their national advantage.

The action will really start to take shape this fall. But here are five races (in no particular order) to keep an eye on for now.

Montana

While Montana trends Republican at the presidential level, Democrats have had success here at the state level, often with candidates stressing local issues and connections.

This is an open seat: The current governor, Democrat Brian Schweitzer, is barred from seeking re-election due to term limits. Democrat Steve Bullock, the state's attorney general, will face off against Republican and former Rep. Rick Hill.

Democrats are likely to tout the state's unemployment rate, which at 6.3 percent is nearly two points lower than the national average, as evidence that Democratic policies succeeded under Schweitzer. But Republicans are tying Bullock to President Obama, who isn't likely to compete here in 2012, by going after Bullock's support for the Affordable Care Act.

Montana: 2008 Gov vote - D: 65% R: 33% | 2008 Pres vote - D: 47% R: 50%

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is one of two states (the other is neighboring Vermont) that elect their governors every two years. Since politics here is often competitive, and power swings back and forth between Republicans and Democrats, the match-up promises to be compelling.

Democrat John Lynch, who has governed since 2005, has decided not to seek another term, so Republicans view this year as a pick-up opportunity. The candidates vying to take Lynch's place will be decided in a September primary.

N.H.: 2010 Gov vote - D: 53% R: 45% | 2008 Gov vote - D: 70% R: 28% | 2008 Pres vote - D: 54% R: 45%

Washington

Washington's incumbent governor, Democrat Christine Gregoire, has said she won't seek another term this fall -- which means another open race. A primary will be held in August to determine the candidates competing to take her seat.

Washington has lately seen its share of close elections (including Gregoire's 129-vote victory over Republican Dino Rossi in 2004). The state leans Democratic and hasn't elected a Republican governor since 1980, but Gregoire - like many governors across the nation during the recession -- made cuts to close a budget gap, and the economy has been slow to recover with an unemployment rate of 8.3 percent.

Washington: 2008 Gov vote - D: 53% R: 47% | 2008 Pres vote - D: 58% R: 40%

Missouri

Democratic incumbent Jay Nixon, first elected governor in 2008, is seeking a second term. Nixon was elected by a double-digit margin four years ago, as John McCain eked out a narrow victory over then-candidate Barack Obama in the state's presidential contest. Perhaps the fact that he doesn't need to ride President Obama's coattails is a good sign for Nixon, because Mr. Obama isn't likely to win the state this time either. On the Republican side, candidates including businessman Dave Spence and attorney Bill Randles will face off in an August primary.

Missouri: 2008 Gov vote - D: 58% R: 39% | 2008 Pres vote - D: 49.3% R: 49.4%

North Carolina

Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue, who won a tight race here in 2008, is not running for another term. Walter Dalton, her lieutenant governor, is hoping to take her place. With the state's economy slow to recover, the incumbent party could struggle to fend off challengers.

Republican Pat McCrory, former mayor of Charlotte, lost to Perdue four years ago and is making another run now. Another example of differences between elections on the state and national level: While Mr. Obama's narrow win here in 2008 marked the first time a Democratic presidential candidate carried the state since 1976, North Carolina hasn't elected a Republican governor since 1984. One wild card at play is that the presidential candidates are promising to wage hard-fought campaigns in North Carolina, and the resources poured in by national groups could trickle down to impact the state races.

N.C.: 2008 Gov vote - D: 50% R: 47% | 2008 Pres vote - D: 50% R: 49%