The kiss of death for the 2016 GOP candidates? A governor's endorsement.

In yet another indicator of the Republican establishment's slipping grip on its party, almost every GOP candidate that was endorsed by a governor has so far lost his or her state. The pattern began with the nation's first contest in Iowa on Feb. 1, when Ted Cruz bested Donald Trump and the rest of the field — much to the chagrin of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who actively discouraged Iowans from voting for Cruz. Ahead of the South Carolina primary on Feb. 20, Gov. Nikki Haley threw her much-coveted support behind Marco Rubio — only to see Donald Trump win all 50 of the Palmetto State's delegates. The trend continues:

• Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich for the nomination last August. Trump won Alabama.
• Alaska Gov. Bill Walker is an independent, but former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin famously endorsed Trump in January. Cruz won Alaska.
• Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson endorsed Marco Rubio ahead of the state's Super Tuesday primary. Trump won Arkansas.
• Last June, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal threw his support behind the four governors then in the race. Trump won Georgia.
• Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker endorsed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Trump won Massachusetts.
• Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam endorsed Marco Rubio. Trump won Tennessee.
• Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback endorsed Marco Rubio. Cruz won Kansas.
• In September, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin suggested he supported Ben Carson. Trump won Kentucky.
• Maine Gov. Paul LePage originally endorsed Chris Christie before pivoting to Trump after Christie left the race. Cruz won Maine.

The only exception to the rule is Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed Ted Cruz, and Cruz did in fact carry his home state. Gov. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma has not endorsed a 2016 candidate, nor has Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, though he did suggest he'd like a candidate with "executive experience" — but Donald Trump won Nevada's caucus on Feb. 23.

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