Candy took the opportunity to go vacant as well, a state she had perfected as a child.

NEWYORKER: The Visitor

The governorship was left vacant when Republican incumbent Judy Martz, the state's first female chief executive, declined to run for re-election following a rocky term, one marred by budget problems and an approval rating that fell to near the 20 percent mark.

CNN: Schweitzer wins Montana governorship

Research by the American-Statesman shows that nearly two dozen county and private lockups are now vacant or almost so, as are thousands of bunks in state adult and juvenile prisons.

FORBES: Too Much Success? Texas Reform Leaves Communities On The Hook For Empty Prisons