The economy, foremost in the presidential election, is the top issue in governors' races this year as well.

Once the financial crisis escalated, all other issues took a back seat.

"It's going to be the No. 1 reason someone keeps their job or loses it," said Del Ali, who has taken polls in several governors' races.

Eleven states will elect governors this fall. Democrats hold 28 seats, Republicans 22.

Earlier this year, gubernatorial campaigns focused on topics such as education, health care and the economy, the Associated Press noted. Gas prices became an issue this summer, then news about state budgets and finally the Wall Street meltdown.

The financial crisis "puts an exclamation point on the challenges we're facing and every state is facing now," said Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, a Republican running for a fourth two-year term.

States are having trouble borrowing money. Many have deficits. Tax revenues are far from robust. Unemployment compensation funds are low, the Associated Press reports.

In Missouri, President Bush campaigned for Rep. Kenny Hulshof, whose opponent, Missouri Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon, linked him to the "failed economic policies of President Bush."

Indiana's Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels is answering charges from Democrat Jill Long Thompson that the state's economy is in trouble. She has reminded people that Mr. Daniels was President Bush's budget director, "responsible for the largest deficit in the history of the world," Ms. Long Thompson charges.

In North Carolina, the Republican Governors Association is airing ads criticizing Democratic Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue over the economy. In Washington state, Republican challenger Dino Rossi is taking Gov. Christine Gregoire to task for the state's projected budget deficit of $3.2 billion.

Deciding who is best equipped to manage each state's finances will be up to the voters. But there is no question that the economy is the foremost consideration in each contest.