2026 Governor Races: Who's Running and Who's Ahead

Thirty-six states will elect governors in the 2026 midterm elections, determining who controls state policy on everything from education and healthcare to abortion rights and voting laws. These races will shape governance for millions of Americans and could signal broader political trends heading into 2028.

Why Governor Races Matter

Governors are often called the most powerful politicians in America outside the presidency. Unlike members of Congress who share power with hundreds of colleagues, governors are chief executives with enormous authority:

• Sign or veto legislation — Control what becomes state law
• Executive orders — Implement policy without legislative approval
• Budget authority — Most governors can line-item veto spending
• Judicial appointments — Appoint state judges in many states
• Emergency powers — Manage crises like natural disasters or public health emergencies
• Clemency and pardons — Grant reprieves and commute sentences
• National Guard command — Control state military forces

Governors shape daily life more directly than most federal officials. They determine school funding, Medicaid expansion, abortion access, gun laws, criminal justice policy, environmental regulations, and voting procedures.

And governorships are often stepping stones to higher office — presidents, vice presidents, senators, and cabinet members frequently come from governor mansions.

The 2026 Gubernatorial Map

Of the 36 gubernatorial races in 2026, the breakdown includes:

• 20 currently held by Republicans
• 16 currently held by Democrats
• Several open seats due to term limits or retirements
• About 10-12 genuinely competitive races

Unlike Senate races, which depend on which third of the chamber is up for election, gubernatorial cycles are more evenly distributed. The 2026 class includes many large, diverse states and several critical swing states.

Top Competitive Races to Watch

Pennsylvania (Open Seat)

Current: Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro (term-limited or seeking other office)

Pennsylvania's open gubernatorial race will be one of the most expensive and closely watched in the country. As a critical swing state in presidential elections, the governor's race serves as a bellwether for 2028.

Why it's competitive:

• Pennsylvania is closely divided between urban/suburban Democrats and rural Republicans
• The governor controls election administration and can veto redistricting maps
• Both parties will invest heavily in this race
• Abortion rights will be a major issue following recent restrictions in neighboring states

Key issues: Abortion rights, energy policy (fracking), education funding, election administration

Wisconsin (Tony Evers - D, seeking re-election)

Governor Tony Evers faces what will likely be his toughest race yet in Wisconsin, a state that has delivered razor-thin margins in every recent statewide election.

Why it's competitive:

• Wisconsin remains perfectly balanced between parties
• Evers has won close races before (2018, 2022) but faces voter fatigue
• Republicans control the legislature and will target this seat heavily
• The race will influence redistricting and voting policy

Key issues: Education funding, abortion rights, dairy farming subsidies, manufacturing jobs

Michigan (Open Seat)

Current: Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer (term-limited)

Whitmer's term limit creates an open race in a state that has trended Democratic in recent years but remains competitive.

Why it's competitive:

• Michigan voted for Biden but has a history of split-ticket voting
• The auto industry transition to electric vehicles creates economic uncertainty
• Democrats currently control the legislature (narrowly) — the governor's race could determine whether they keep that power
• Abortion rights were enshrined in the state constitution in 2022, but implementation remains contentious

Key issues: Auto industry jobs, water quality (Flint and other crises), education funding, abortion access

Georgia (Brian Kemp - R, seeking re-election)

Governor Brian Kemp, who won re-election easily in 2022, faces a changing electorate and energized Democratic opposition.

Why it's competitive:

• Georgia has become a battleground state in federal races
• Kemp has crossover appeal but faces pressure from Trump-aligned Republicans
• Stacey Abrams may or may not run again — the Democratic nominee will determine competitiveness
• Voting rights remain a flashpoint issue

Key issues: Voting access, economic development, education policy, Medicaid expansion

Arizona (Katie Hobbs - D, seeking re-election)

Governor Katie Hobbs won a close race in 2022 and will face another competitive contest in Arizona's volatile political environment.

Why it's competitive:

• Arizona has seen multiple close statewide races in recent cycles
• Hobbs won by less than 1% in 2022
• The Republican nominee will likely be Trump-endorsed, which could help or hurt depending on the candidate
• Immigration and border security dominate Arizona politics

Key issues: Border security, water rights, education funding, abortion access

Nevada (Joe Lombardo - R, seeking re-election)

Governor Joe Lombardo, a former Las Vegas sheriff, won in 2022 and seeks to hold a seat in a state that has trended Democratic in recent years.

Why it's competitive:

• Nevada Democrats have won most recent statewide races
• Lombardo is a moderate Republican in a purple state
• Nevada's service-industry workforce leans Democratic
• Presidential-year turnout patterns don't apply to midterms, giving Republicans an advantage

Key issues: Tourism economy recovery, housing costs, education funding, water resources

North Carolina (Roy Cooper - D, term-limited)

Current: Democratic Governor Roy Cooper (term-limited)

North Carolina's open seat race will be highly competitive in a state that has elected Democratic governors even while voting Republican in presidential races.

Why it's competitive:

• North Carolina has a tradition of split-ticket voting
• The Republican-controlled legislature will be eager to flip this seat
• Attorney General Josh Stein (D) is the likely Democratic nominee with strong name recognition
• The race will influence education policy and Medicaid expansion

Key issues: Education funding, Medicaid expansion, LGBTQ rights, hurricane recovery

Texas (Greg Abbott - R, seeking re-election)

Governor Greg Abbott seeks another term in a state that has trended more competitive in recent elections.

Why it's competitive:

• While still favoring Republicans, Texas margins have narrowed
• Abortion restrictions have energized Democratic voters
• The power grid crisis of 2021 remains a vulnerability for Abbott
• Demographics continue to shift in Democrats' favor

Key issues: Border security, power grid reliability, abortion policy, property taxes

Florida (Open Seat)

Current: Republican Governor Ron DeSantis (term-limited)

DeSantis's term limit creates an open race in a state that has shifted Republican in recent cycles but remains expensive and competitive.

Why it's competitive:

• Florida remains closely divided despite recent Republican victories
• The state's size and diversity create pockets of strength for both parties
• Both parties will spend massively to compete here
• The race may feature high-profile candidates from both sides

Key issues: Hurricane recovery, insurance costs, education policy, abortion rights

Kansas (Laura Kelly - D, seeking re-election)

Governor Laura Kelly has won twice in deep-red Kansas and will try for a third time.

Why it's competitive:

• Kansas has a history of electing Democratic governors even while voting Republican federally
• Kelly has maintained popularity by focusing on schools and avoiding partisan battles
• Kansas Republicans will be determined to flip this seat
• Abortion rights are a major issue after Kansas voters rejected a constitutional amendment restricting abortion in 2022

Key issues: Education funding, tax policy, abortion rights, Medicaid expansion

Other Notable Races

Safe Republican

• Alabama — Kay Ivey or successor
• Idaho — Brad Little seeking re-election
• Oklahoma — Kevin Stitt seeking re-election
• South Carolina — Henry McMaster or successor
• South Dakota — Kristi Noem or successor
• Tennessee — Bill Lee seeking re-election
• Wyoming — Mark Gordon seeking re-election

Safe Democratic

• California — Gavin Newsom (term-limited), open seat but favors Democrats heavily
• Connecticut — Ned Lamont seeking re-election
• Hawaii — Josh Green seeking re-election
• Illinois — JB Pritzker seeking re-election
• Maryland — Wes Moore seeking re-election
• Massachusetts — Maura Healey seeking re-election
• New York — Kathy Hochul seeking full term
• Oregon — Tina Kotek seeking re-election
• Rhode Island — Dan McKee seeking re-election

Potentially Competitive (Second Tier)

• New Hampshire — Governor Sununu (if running) faces Democratic challenge
• Minnesota — Tim Walz seeking re-election in a state that leans Democratic but has elected Republicans before
• Maine — Janet Mills seeking re-election; Maine has elected Republican governors recently
• Iowa — Kim Reynolds seeking re-election in a state trending Republican

What's at Stake

The outcomes of these gubernatorial races will determine:

Abortion Rights

Following the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade, governors have enormous power over abortion access. Democratic governors can veto restrictions, while Republican governors can sign them. Several abortion ballot measures may also appear on 2026 ballots.

Voting Laws and Election Administration

Governors sign or veto voting legislation, appoint election officials, and oversee election processes. In swing states, this power can influence presidential outcomes.

Education Policy

School funding, curriculum standards, voucher programs, and teacher pay are largely determined at the state level. Governors set education priorities and budgets.

Healthcare Access

Medicaid expansion, prescription drug pricing, hospital regulations, and public health policy are state decisions. Governors can expand healthcare access or restrict it.

Criminal Justice

Sentencing guidelines, prison funding, police reform, and clemency decisions are executive branch responsibilities. Governors shape how justice is administered.

Economic Policy

Tax rates, business incentives, minimum wage (in some states), and labor regulations are state-level decisions that governors heavily influence.

Future Presidential Candidates

Many governors use their positions as launching pads for presidential runs. The 2026 class could include several future presidential candidates.

How to Follow Governor Races

Stay informed about these critical races by:

• Tracking our live poll tracker for real-time updates
• Following primary election results to see who wins nominations
• Watching gubernatorial debates in your state
• Reading candidates' policy platforms on their websites
• Checking voting records if candidates currently hold office
• Understanding how polls work to interpret the data accurately

Make Your Voice Heard

Gubernatorial elections often see lower turnout than presidential races, but they directly affect your daily life. Your governor likely influences your life more than your U.S. Senator.

To participate in the 2026 midterm elections:

• Register to vote by your state's deadline
• Research candidates using our ballot lookup tool
• Plan whether you'll vote early, by mail, or on Election Day
• Check your voter ID requirements
• Mark your calendar for key election dates

Your state's future depends on who sits in the governor's mansion. Make your voice count.