Washington (CNN) -- The House and the Senate aren't going to have all of the fun this election year. Governors are sure to get a slice of the pie with 36 races on tap. While not as high-profile as many congressional races, gubernatorial campaigns are statewide races and can reveal political and policy trends that play out nationally. Governors often drive legislative agendas in their states and many possess broad authority to act unilaterally on policy and other matters that can impact millions of people. States enacted around 40,000 laws last year on issues that ranged from same-sex marriage to the use of teen tanning beds.
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There are 36 gubernatorial races on tap in 2014
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Twenty-nine Republicans are governors, giving them an edge over Democrats
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Being a state chief executive is often a springboard for higher office
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Florida and Ohio offer key races and are presidential battlegrounds
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