WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans looking for early clues to the 2016 elections might find some in this year's governor races.

The outcome of races in Florida, Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio and Colorado will influence the combined 72 electoral votes, or more than a quarter of the total needed to win the White House. Republicans are defending governorships in all but Colorado.

If they win in these states, Republicans could use the network of their fellow governors as a blueprint for winning. Losing the states could expose more obstacles in Republicans' efforts to amass 270 electoral votes in the 2016 campaign.