There are numerous reasons why a governorship will go form one party to another even in Blue or Red states, most have to do with local issues such as taxes, high crime, unemployment, labor unrest, property taxes, public services, etc. In NY a very liberal state, uber liberal Mario Cuomo was ousted by George Pataki a Republican. I doubt that Kansas voted in a Democratic governor because of creationism.

Even in Mass. a Republican named Mitt Romney wsa voted in.