Although the eyes of the nation will be on the Presidential Election between Republican President Donald Trump and Democrat former Vice President Joe Biden, there are several other races outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia that carry great importance for the direction of the country going forward.

In North Carolina and Montana respectively there are two governors races taking place. The Tar Heel State race is between the Democratic Governor Roy Cooper going up against his Lieutenant Governor Republican Dan Forest. As for Montana the Republicans will look to re-gain the gubernatorial seat for the first time since 2000 as Congressman Greg Gianforte is taking on Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney.

Two states that are having local races will determine the shift of how the national results will go as well. In Florida, a state that has been a major battleground in Presidential elections, sees Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez attempting to win the House of Representatives race against Debbie Murcasel-Powell. Pennsylvania will have as upwards of four races in the House up for grabs. What happens in these races might determine if these states, which voted for Trump in 2016, will flip towards the Democrats in overall voting. As of now the Democrats hold a 35 seat majority in the House, and there is potential for the Republicans to change the tide should they gain 21 seats.

The Senate race will also be interesting to watch, as the Republicans currently hold a 53-47 advantage. A well known race in South Carolina sees Senator Lindsey Graham taking on Jamie Harrison, and as of now it is considered a tossup. In Michigan, another state that voted for Trump in 2016, there is the race between Democrat Gary Peters and Republican John James. However, what may be the most interesting state of the evening comes from a place that was once unthinkable, and that’s in Georgia.

The Peach State two years ago almost saw Democrat Stacey Abrams take the Governor’s seat from Republican Brian Kemp, and there is a possibility of a flip there as well. There is upstart Jon Ossoff, who lost a narrow race in a runoff a year ago, taking on David Perdue. Also involved there is Lucy McBath, whose son Jordan was shot and killed in 2012 at a gas station in Jacksonville, Florida, taking on Karen Handle for the 6th Congressional District. Finally, Ralph Warnock will be going up against Atlanta Dream owner Karen Loeffler and Congressman Doug Collins. All three races could determine if the state turns blue as well in the Presidential race.

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