IDADI YA WATU WALIOSOMA HABARI HII:

(CNN) -- CNN projects North Carolina voters will elect the state's first female governor, dashing Republican hopes of picking up a governorship.

Democrat Beverly Perdue, in the middle of her second elected term as the state's lieutenant governor, defeated Republican Pat McCrory.

McCrory, who has been the mayor of Charlotte for seven two-year terms, sought to make history as well. If he won, he would have become only the third Republican governor in more than 100 years and sixth in North Carolina's history.

In Vermont, CNN projects incumbent Republican Gov. Jim Douglas will hold on to his seat. The three-way race included Gaye Symington and Independent Anthony Pollina.

CNN has projected that six other incumbents will be win gubernatorial contests in their states.

CNN projects that Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven, New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels will also remain in their respective governor's mansions.

In Delaware, CNN projects State Treasurer and Democrat Jack Markell will win the governorship.

In the first gubernatorial party change, CNN projects Democratic candidate Jay Nixon will win the governor seat in Missouri, beating Republican Kenny Hulshof.

CNN projections are based on actual results and exit poll data from key areas.

The race for governor in Missouri became competitive after Republican Gov. Matt Blunt announced in January he would not seek re-election.

Despite the state normally leaning Republican, Nixon was slightly ahead in state polls.

Hulshof, a six-term congressman whose district covers Columbia and part of the St. Louis suburbs, narrowly became the Republican nominee after winning the state's primary.

The election was an uphill battle for Hulshof, whose chances could have been hurt by the close win in a heated primary and statewide Republican woes. Voters have indicated their frustration with Blunt, whose term was marred by budget battles and a controversial decision to scale back the state's Medicaid program.

Nixon, on the other hand, has been elected as the state's attorney general a record four times, though he also has had two failed U.S. senate bids.

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer had been expected to win his second term, defeating Republican Roy Brown, a state senator.

In Utah polls, the governorship had appeared to be a lock for Republicans, who have held the position for 24 years. Republican Gov. John Huntsman, seeking his second term, ran against Democratic Bob Springmeyer.

Republican incumbent Hoeven was considered a safe bet to win his third term by defeating Tim Mathern, a Democratic state senator. Hoeven is the first North Dakota governor to win three four-year terms.

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch was considered a safe bet to win re-election to a third two-year term after facing off against Republican Joe Kenney, a state senator.

As a Republican nominee, Kenney faced a uphill battle. In 2004, Republicans lost the governorship and President Bush lost to John Kerry after winning there in 2002. In 2006, Democrats took the seats of the state's Republican U.S. representatives and for the first time since 1874, Democrats had control of the governorship and both chambers of the state Legislature.