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.
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Here are the top governor’s races The 19th is watching in 2026:
Arizona | California | Georgia | Maine | Michigan | Minnesota | New Mexico | New York | Ohio | Texas | Wisconsin
Arizona
Once a reliably Republican stronghold, Arizona has emerged as a critical battleground state. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, elected in 2022, is set to face Rep. Andy Biggs, a member of the hard-line Freedom Caucus who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
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.
Georgia
Georgia is holding a competitive governor’s election to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is facing Republican billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, who is heavily self-funding his campaign, in November in a race where the economy, healthcare and data centers are major factors. If elected, Bottoms would be the first Black woman governor in Georgia and in U.S. history.
Maine
Hannah Pingree, the former Maine state House speaker, is the Democratic nominee to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Janet Mills in Maine. She’ll face Republican Bobby Charles in November.
Michigan
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and GOP Rep. John James, endorsed by President Donald Trump, are facing off to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in this key battleground state.
Minnesota
Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar is widely expected to defeat Republican Lisa Demuth, speaker of the Minnesota House, in the open race for governor of Minnesota.
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.
New York
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York, the state’s first woman governor, is running for a second term against Bruce Blakeman, a local elected official from Long Island; the race is rated solidly Democratic.
Ohio
Democrat Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy are facing off to replace outgoing GOP Gov. Mike DeWine. The race between Acton, a doctor and the state’s former top public health official and Ramaswamy, a businessman and former Republican presidential candidate, is a toss-up despite Ohio’s Republican lean.
Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott, running for his fourth term in office, is facing his toughest challenge yet from Democrat Gina Hinojosa, a state lawmaker running on bipartisan backlash to the state’s school voucher program and data centers.
Wisconsin
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, backed by outgoing Gov. Tony Evers, narrowly defeated democratic socialist state Rep. Francesca Hong in a hotly contested Democratic primary for governor of Wisconsin. Crowley will face GOP Rep. Tom Tiffany in November.
