2026 Governor Races

36 states are electing governors in 2026. These races will determine state policy on everything from education to healthcare to voting rights.

Races

Competitive

Incumbents Running

Nov 3

Election Day

Most Competitive Races

Georgia Toss-up

Rick Jackson (R) - Won Jun 16 runoff over Trump/Kemp-endorsed Burt Jones; Trump endorsed Jul 22

Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) - Former Atlanta mayor; won Dem primary

Nominees set; Kemp term-limited; Jackson won the June 16 GOP runoff over Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Nevada Toss-up

Joe Lombardo (R) - Incumbent; won primary with 91%

Aaron Ford (D) - Attorney General; won primary with 63.8%

Nominees set after Jun 9 primaries Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Ohio Toss-up

Vivek Ramaswamy (R) - Entrepreneur, won May 5 primary

Amy Acton (D) - Former state health director, unopposed in primary

Nominees set; primaries held May 5, 2026; Cook Political Report moved to Toss-up Jul 16, 2026 citing Ramaswamy's likeability deficit Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Arizona Lean D

Katie Hobbs (D) - Incumbent; won Jul 21 Democratic primary unopposed

Andy Biggs (R) - US Rep, Trump-endorsed; won Jul 21 GOP primary over Schweikert

Nominees set: Arizona moved its 2026 primary to Jul 21; Biggs won GOP primary over Schweikert; Hobbs was unopposed for Democrats Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Iowa Lean D

Zach Lahn (R) - Businessman; upset win with 37.65% over Rep. Randy Feenstra

Rob Sand (D) - State Auditor; unopposed for Dem nomination

Nominees set; June 2 primary; Reynolds retiring; Lahn upset Trump-endorsed Randy Feenstra. Cook Political Report moved from Toss-up to Lean D on Aug 20, 2026, citing Sand's consistent lead outside the margin of error; Inside Elections had moved from Toss-up to Tilt D on Aug 6. Sabato's Crystal Ball moved from Toss-up to Lean D on Sep 3, 2026. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Kansas Lean R

Ty Masterson (R) - Senate President, Trump-endorsed; won Aug 4 GOP primary with 42% over Secretary of State Scott Schwab and others

Cindy Holscher (D) - State senator; won Aug 4 Democratic primary

Nominees set after Aug 4 primaries: Masterson won GOP primary with 42%; Holscher won Democratic primary. Open seat, Kelly term-limited. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Michigan Lean D

Jocelyn Benson (D) - Secretary of State; won Aug 4 Democratic gubernatorial primary over Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson

John James (R) - US Rep, Trump-endorsed; won Aug 4 GOP gubernatorial primary over businessman Perry Johnson

Nominees set: Benson won Aug 4 Democratic primary; James won Aug 4 GOP primary over Perry Johnson. Open seat, Whitmer term-limited. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

New Hampshire Lean R

Kelly Ayotte (R) - Incumbent; won Sep 8 GOP primary easily over Fife and McClory (AP called)

Cinde Warmington (D) - Former executive councilor; won Dem primary, ran effectively unopposed

Nominees set: Ayotte won Sep 8 GOP primary easily over Shaun Fife and Robert McClory (AP called, Washington Post); Warmington ran effectively unopposed in Dem primary; general Nov 3 Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Wisconsin Lean D

David Crowley (D) - Milwaukee County Executive; won Aug 11 Democratic primary narrowly over Francesca Hong; endorsed by Gov. Evers

Tom Tiffany (R) - US Representative, Trump-endorsed; won Aug 11 GOP primary

Nominees set: Crowley won Aug 11 Democratic primary narrowly over Francesca Hong (PBS Wisconsin); Tiffany won Aug 11 GOP primary. Sabato's Crystal Ball moved from Toss-up to Lean D on Aug 12, citing Crowley's primary win and incumbency advantage for Democrats. General election: Crowley vs. Tiffany. Open seat with Evers retiring. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Alaska Likely R

Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (D) - Former state legislator from Sitka; led Aug 18 primary with 21.62% (certified); sole active Democratic candidate after Begich endorsed him Aug 28

Tom Begich (D) - Former state senator; 20.07% (certified); suspended campaign Aug 28 citing funding, endorsed Kreiss-Tomkins; remains on ballot under Alaska RCV rules

Bernadette Wilson (R) - 10.44% (certified); advancing to RCV general

Top-four primary held Aug 18; results certified Aug 31 (Alaska Division of Elections). Final certified top four advancing to November RCV ballot: Kreiss-Tomkins (D) 21.62%, Begich (D) 20.07%, Wilson (R) 10.44%, Bronson (R) 8.40%. Dunleavy term-limited. Begich suspended campaign Aug 28 and endorsed Kreiss-Tomkins, effectively consolidating Democrats behind one candidate while two Republicans (Wilson and Bronson) remain active. Begich remains on ballot under Alaska RCV rules. Sabato's Crystal Ball moved from Likely R to Toss-up Sep 3, 2026, citing Democratic consolidation and Republican vote-split. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Connecticut Likely D

Ned Lamont (D) - Incumbent seeking third term; won Aug 11 Democratic primary over state Rep. Josh Elliott approx. 67-33%

Ryan Fazio (R) - State senator; GOP nominee

Nominees set: Lamont won Aug 11 Democratic primary over Josh Elliott approx. 67-33%; general election: Lamont vs. Fazio. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Florida Likely R

Byron Donalds (R) - US Rep, Trump-endorsed; won Aug 18 GOP primary with about 48% over Jay Collins (25%), James Fishback (10%), and Paul Renner (9%)

David Jolly (D) - Former GOP congressman who switched parties; won Aug 18 Dem primary with about 61% after Jerry Demings dropped out in June following a prostate cancer diagnosis

Nominees set: Donalds won GOP primary with about 48% over Jay Collins (25%), Fishback (10%), Renner (9%); Jolly won Dem primary with about 61% (Demings dropped out in June after prostate cancer diagnosis). DeSantis term-limited. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Minnesota Likely D

Amy Klobuchar (D) - US Senator; won Aug 11 DFL gubernatorial primary with 89.1%

Lisa Demuth (R) - MN House Speaker; won Aug 11 GOP gubernatorial primary with about 45% over Trump-endorsed Lindell (33%) and state party-endorsed Qualls; first Black major-party gubernatorial nominee in Minnesota history

Nominees set: Klobuchar won Aug 11 DFL gubernatorial primary with 89.1%; Demuth won GOP primary with about 45% over Trump-endorsed Lindell (33%) and state party-endorsed Qualls; Demuth is the first Black major-party gubernatorial nominee in Minnesota history. General election: Klobuchar vs. Demuth. Open seat, Walz did not seek reelection. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Oregon Likely D

Tina Kotek (D) - Incumbent, won primary with 84%

Christine Drazan (R) - 2022 nominee, won primary with 41%

Nominees set; primaries held May 19, 2026; first OR gubernatorial rematch since 1978; Cook Political moved from Solid D to Likely D on Jul 10 after Drazan poll showed statistical tie Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Texas Likely R

Greg Abbott (R) - Incumbent, won primary with 82%

Gina Hinojosa (D) - State representative, won primary with 59%

Nominees set: Mar 3 primaries; Abbott seeks a fourth term. Cook Political Report moved from Solid R to Lean R on Aug 20, 2026, citing softened Abbott favorables and single-digit polling. Sabato's Crystal Ball moved from Safe R to Likely R on Aug 26. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Alabama Safe R

Tommy Tuberville (R) - US Senator, won May 19 primary with 85%, Trump-endorsed

Doug Jones (D) - Former US Senator, won May 19 primary with 78%

Nominees set; primaries held May 19, 2026 (open seat, Ivey term-limited) Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Arkansas Safe R

Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) - Incumbent

Fredrick Love (D) - State senator, won Mar 3 primary with 81%

Nominees set; primaries held Mar 3, 2026 Updated: Sep 10, 2026

California Safe D

Xavier Becerra (D) - Former HHS Secretary and CA Attorney General, advanced from Jun 2 top-two primary

Steve Hilton (R) - Former Fox News host, advanced from Jun 2 top-two primary

Top-two nominees set after June 2 primary (open seat, Newsom term-limited) Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Colorado Safe D

Phil Weiser (D) - Attorney General; beat Sen. Michael Bennet in Dem primary

Victor Marx (R) - First-time candidate; edged Barb Kirkmeyer 39.9-39.4 in GOP primary

Nominees set; June 30 primary decided (GOP race called July 9 after razor-thin margin). Polis term-limited. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Hawaii Safe D

Josh Green (D) - Incumbent; won Aug 8 Democratic primary with 83%

Gary Cordery (R) - Won Aug 8 Republican primary with 66%

Nominees set: Green won Aug 8 Democratic primary with 83% over three little-known challengers; Cordery won Republican primary with 66%. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Idaho Safe R

Brad Little (R) - Incumbent; won GOP primary with 59%

Terri Pickens (D) - Won Dem primary with over 61%

Nominees set; May 19 primaries decided. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Illinois Safe D

JB Pritzker (D) - Incumbent; unopposed in primary

Darren Bailey (R) - Won GOP primary with 54%; 2022 nominee rematch

Nominees set; March 17 primary produced a 2022 rematch. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Maine Safe D

Hannah Pingree (D) - Won Jun 9 RCV primary with 56%

Bobby Charles (R) - Won Jun 9 RCV primary with 60%

Rick Bennett (I) - Independent, on November ballot

Nominees set via Jun 9 ranked-choice primaries; open seat (Mills term-limited) Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Maryland Safe D

Wes Moore (D) - Incumbent, seeking second term

Dan Cox (R) - Won Jun 23 primary; 2022 nominee

Nominees set after Jun 23 primaries; 2022 rematch Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Massachusetts Safe D

Maura Healey (D) - Incumbent, seeking second term; won Sep 1 Democratic primary (effectively unopposed)

Michael Minogue (R) - Won MassGOP convention endorsement (70.38% of delegates) and Sep 1 GOP primary over Shortsleeve (about 76% on election-night count)

Nominees set: Healey won Sep 1 Democratic primary (effectively unopposed); Minogue won Sep 1 GOP primary over Shortsleeve (about 76% on the election-night count with 38% reporting). General election: Healey vs. Minogue. Kennealy had not made the ballot (below 15% convention threshold). Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Nebraska Safe R

Jim Pillen (R) - Incumbent; won primary with 76%

Lynne Walz (D) - Former state senator; won primary with 91%

Nominees set after May 12 primaries Updated: Sep 10, 2026

New Mexico Safe D

Deb Haaland (D) - Former Interior Secretary, won Jun 2 primary

Gregg Hull (R) - Former Rio Rancho mayor, won Jun 2 primary

Ken Miyagishima (I) - Former Las Cruces mayor

Nominees set; primaries held Jun 2, 2026; Cook Political Report moved to Solid D Jul 10, 2026, citing Haaland's fundraising dominance Updated: Sep 10, 2026

New York Safe D

Kathy Hochul (D) - Incumbent

Bruce Blakeman (R) - Nassau County executive; also Conservative Party endorsed

De facto matchup set; Stefanik dropped out Dec 2025, Blakeman is GOP standard-bearer Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Oklahoma Safe R

Mike Mazzei (R) - Former state senator, Trump-endorsed; won Aug 25 GOP runoff over Drummond by about 2,020 votes; faces Munson in November

Cyndi Munson (D) - Oklahoma House Minority Leader; won Democratic primary in June 2026; first Asian American woman elected to Oklahoma House

Nominees set: Mazzei won Aug 25 GOP runoff over Drummond by about 2,020 votes (Drummond conceded); Mazzei faces Cyndi Munson in November. Open seat, Stitt term-limited. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Pennsylvania Safe D

Josh Shapiro (D) - Incumbent

Stacy Garrity (R) - State treasurer

Nominees set; Shapiro and Garrity unopposed in May 19 primaries. Sabato's Crystal Ball moved from Likely D to Safe D on Sep 3, 2026, citing Shapiro's commanding lead. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Rhode Island Safe D

Helena Foulkes (D) - Former CVS executive; defeated incumbent Gov. McKee about 62% to 38% on the election-night count in Sep 9 Democratic primary (AP called)

Aaron Guckian (R) - 2022 GOP lieutenant governor nominee, state party-endorsed; won Sep 9 GOP primary over Elaine Pelino 10,360 to 10,068 votes (all 39 localities reporting)

Nominees set: Foulkes defeated incumbent Gov. McKee in Sep 9 Democratic primary about 62% to 38% on the election-night count (AP called; first RI incumbent governor to lose a primary since 1994; percentages subject to update as canvassing proceeds); Guckian narrowly won Sep 9 GOP primary over Pelino 10,360 to 10,068 votes (all 39 localities reporting). General election Nov 3: Foulkes vs. Guckian. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

South Carolina Safe R

Alan Wilson (R) - Attorney General, won Jun 23 runoff 68.6% over Pamela Evette

Jermaine Johnson (D) - State representative, won Jun 9 primary with 59.7%

Nominees set: Jun 9 primary, GOP runoff Jun 23 won by Wilson Updated: Sep 10, 2026

South Dakota Safe R

Larry Rhoden (R) - Incumbent governor; won Jul 28 runoff 73%; seeking own term after succeeding Noem

Dan Ahlers (D) - Former state senator, Democratic nominee

Nominees set: Rhoden won Jul 28 runoff 73% over Doeden (first gubernatorial runoff in state history) Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Tennessee Safe R

Marsha Blackburn (R) - US Senator; won Aug 6 GOP primary with 43.8% over John Rose (32.7%) and Monty Fritts (23.3%)

Jerri Green (D) - Memphis politician; won Aug 6 Democratic primary

Nominees set: Blackburn won Aug 6 GOP primary with 43.8% over Rose (32.7%) and Fritts (23.3%); Green won Aug 6 Democratic primary. Open seat, Lee term-limited. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Vermont Safe R

Phil Scott (R) - Incumbent, GOP nominee; ran effectively unopposed

Amanda Janoo (D) - Economist; won Aug 11 Democratic primary narrowly over Aly Richards

Nominees set: Janoo won Aug 11 Democratic primary narrowly over Aly Richards; Scott was effectively the GOP nominee unopposed. General election: Janoo vs. Scott. Updated: Sep 10, 2026

Wyoming Safe R

Eric Barlow (R) - Former Wyoming state senator; won Aug 18 GOP primary with about 45% over Trump-endorsed Degenfelder (30%) and Brent Bien (24%); AP called race at 8:54 p.m. on election night

Kenneth Casner (D) - Democratic nominee

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