It’s not just Congress on the ballot in the 2026 midterms. Over 30 governorships are up for election in 2026, with major implications for issues like healthcare, childcare, abortion, LGBTQ+ rights and more.  

Five Democratic-led states won by President Donald Trump in 2024 — Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — are holding elections for governor in 2026. Two Republican governors in states won by former Vice President Kamala Harris, New Hampshire and Vermont, are up for reelection.

Women incumbents on the ballot include Govs. Katie Hobbs of Arizona and Kathy Hochul in New York, both Democrats, and multiple women candidates are running in this year’s many open races. 

Here are the top governor’s races The 19th is watching in 2026:

Arizona | California | Georgia | Maine | Michigan | Minnesota | New Mexico | New York | Wisconsin

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Arizona

Once a reliably Republican stronghold, Arizona has emerged as a critical battleground state. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, elected in 2022, is likely to face either  Rep. Andy Biggs, a member of the hard-line Freedom Caucus who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, or GOP Rep. David Schweikert.

Key dates:

• June 22: Last day to register to vote for the primary
• June 24: Early voting begins and mail ballots are sent out
• July 21: Primary election day 2026! Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

California

Democrat Xavier Becerra, who led the Department of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden, and Republican Steve Hilton are running for governor of California, which has emerged as a high-profile foil to the Trump administration. The winner of November’s general election will succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender.

Key dates:

• May 18: Last day to register online to vote for primary election
• May 23: Vote centers open in all Voter’s Choice Act counties
• June 2: Primary election day 2026! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Georgia

Georgia will hold a competitive governor’s election in 2026 to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is the Democratic nominee while Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and billionaire businessman Rick Jackson are facing off in a June 19 primary runoff for the Republican nomination. 

Key dates:

• June 8: Early primary runoff voting begins.
• June 16: Primary runoff election day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Maine

Dr. Nirav Shah, a public health official; Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Senate President Troy Jackson and Hannah Pingree, the former Maine state House speaker, are among those in a crowded field of Democratic candidates vying to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Janet Mills in Maine. 

Key dates:

• May 11: In-person early voting begins. 
• June 9: Primary election day 2026! Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Michigan

Michigan’s governor’s race is set to be one of the most competitive and closely watched of 2026. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is the Democratic front-runner, and a crowded field of Republican candidates is running for the GOP nomination to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the key battleground state. 

Key dates:

• July 25: Early, in-person voting begins. 
• August 4: Primary election day 2026! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Minnesota

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar is running for governor of Minnesota after incumbent Gov. Tim Walz decided not to run for a third term. A crowded field of Republican candidates, including Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, former state Sen. Scott Jensen and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, are running for the Republican nomination. 

Key dates:

• June 26: Early in-person voting begins. 
• August 11: Primary election day 2026! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

New Mexico

Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary, is seeking to make history again, this time as governor of New Mexico. She will face Republican Gregg Hull, the mayor of Rio Rancho, in November to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the first Latina Democrat elected governor. 

Key dates:

• May 5: Early in-person voting begins. 
• June 2: Primary election day 2026! Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

New York

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York, the state’s first woman governor, is running for a second term. Her likely Republican opponent is Bruce Blakeman, a local elected official from Long Island; GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik dropped out of the race. 

Key dates:

• July 25: Early, in-person voting begins
• August 4: Primary election day 2026! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wisconsin

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ retirement has set the stage for a competitive governor’s race in the battleground state of Wisconsin. The Democrats running to replace him include Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, state Sen. Kelda Roys and state Rep. Francesca Hong. Rep. Tom Tiffany is the front-runner for the Republican nomination. 

Key dates:

• July 28: Early in-person voting begins. 
• August 11: Primary election day 2026! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.