2021 Ulyanovsk Oblast gubernatorial election

Governor Sergey Morozov was first elected in 2004 and as of 2021 was the longest serving incumbent Russian Governor. Morozov won his last gubernatorial election in 2016 with just 54.34% of the vote, simultaneously his challenger from CPRF Alexey Kurinny won in Ulyanovsk single-mandate constituency.[2] Morozov's narrow win and Kurinny's election to the State Duma prompted speculations about competitive gubernatorial election in 2021.

In March 2021 Governor Sergey Morozov announced his intention to run for fifth term.[3] Alexey Kurinny also signalled he's looking for a rematch with Morozov.[4] However, on 8 April Sergey Morozov announced his resignation and intended to run for State Duma instead. President Vladimir Putin appointed Senator Aleksey Russkikh from Moscow Oblast as acting Governor of Ulyanovsk Oblast.[5] Besides Russkikh, Deputy Minister of Education Denis Gribov and State Duma member, former Mayor of Ulyanovsk (2011-2015) Marina Bespalova were under consideration for the governorship.[6] Former Governor Morozov later became Assistant to the Presidential Envoy in the Volga Federal Okrug.[7]

Appointment of Russkikh, a member of CPRF, prevented Alexey Kurinny from running in the gubernatorial election. Governor Russkikh initially offered Kurinny position in the Federation Council to which Kurinny was reluctant.[8] Eventually, Alexey Kurinny was placed in CPRF federal party list as No.14 for the State Duma election.[9] In the gubernatorial election United Russia declined to nominate a candidate and endorsed acting Governor Aleksey Russkikh.[10]

Only political parties can nominate candidates for gubernatorial election in Ulyanovsk Oblast, self-nomination is not possible. However, candidate is not obliged to be a member of the nominating party. Candidate for Governor of Ulyanovsk Oblast should be a Russian citizen and at least 30 years old. Candidates for Governor should not have a foreign citizenship or residence permit. Each candidate in order to be registered is required to collect at least 9% of signatures of members and heads of municipalities (141-148 signatures).[11] Also gubernatorial candidates present 3 candidacies to the Federation Council and election winner later appoints one of the presented candidates.

All sums are in rubles.

Legislative Assembly of Ulyanovsk Oblast vice chairman Ayrat Gibatdinov (Communist Party) was appointed to the Federation Council replacing incumbent Senator Vadim Kharlov (Independent).[18]