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.

36
Races
10
Competitive
22
Incumbents Running
Nov 3
Election Day

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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: Aug 14, 2026
Iowa Toss-up
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. Inside Elections moved race from Toss-up to Tilt D on Aug 6, citing Sand's consistent polling lead. Updated: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 2026
Wisconsin Toss-up
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. General election: Crowley vs. Tiffany. Open seat with Evers retiring. Updated: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 2026
New Hampshire Lean R
Kelly Ayotte (R) - Incumbent, primary front-runner
Cinde Warmington (D) - Former executive councilor, primary front-runner
Primary upcoming Sep 8, 2026; general Nov 3 Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Alaska Likely R
Bill Walker (I) - Former Governor, running independent
Tom Begich (D) - Former state senator
Dave Bronson (R) - Former Anchorage mayor, one of 12 GOP candidates
Top-four nonpartisan primary upcoming Aug 18, 2026; 17 candidates (Dunleavy term-limited) Updated: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 2026
Florida Likely R
Byron Donalds (R) - US Rep, Trump-endorsed; GOP primary front-runner, raised $90M+
David Jolly (D) - Former GOP congressman; Dem primary front-runner over Orange Co. Mayor Jerry Demings
Primary upcoming Aug 18, 2026; DeSantis term-limited; front-runners clear on both sides. Updated: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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 Updated: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 2026
Massachusetts Safe D
Maura Healey (D) - Incumbent, seeking second term
Michael Minogue (R) - Won MassGOP convention endorsement; primary contender
Mike Kennealy (R) - Former Baker cabinet official; led early UMass Amherst/WCVB GOP primary poll
Healey unopposed for Dem nomination; GOP primary upcoming Sep 1, 2026 Updated: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 2026
Oklahoma Safe R
Gentner Drummond (R) - Attorney General, in Aug 25 runoff
Mike Mazzei (R) - Former state senator, in Aug 25 runoff
Open seat; GOP runoff Aug 25 between Drummond and Mazzei after Jun 16 primary Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Pennsylvania Safe D
Josh Shapiro (D) - Incumbent
Stacy Garrity (R) - State treasurer
Nominees set; Shapiro and Garrity unopposed in May 19 primaries Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Rhode Island Safe D
Helena Foulkes (D) - Former CVS executive, primary front-runner
Dan McKee (D) - Incumbent, trailing in primary polling
Primary upcoming Sep 8-9, 2026; Foulkes led McKee big in a May primary poll Updated: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 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: Aug 14, 2026
Wyoming Safe R
Megan Degenfelder (R) - State superintendent, GOP front-runner, endorsed by Trump and Rep. Hageman
Eric Barlow (R) - GOP primary contender
Kenneth Casner (D) - Only Democratic filer
Primary upcoming Aug 18; open seat, Gov. Mark Gordon term-limited Updated: Aug 14, 2026

All Governor Races

Alabama

Kay Ivey (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Alaska

Mike Dunleavy (R) - Incumbent

Likely R

Arkansas

Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

California

Gavin Newsom (D) - Incumbent

Safe D

Colorado

Jared Polis (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

Connecticut

Ned Lamont (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

Florida

Ron DeSantis (R) - Term Limited

Competitive

Hawaii

Josh Green (D) - Incumbent

Safe D

Idaho

Brad Little (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Illinois

J.B. Pritzker (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

Iowa

Kim Reynolds (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Kansas

Laura Kelly (D) - Incumbent

Competitive

Maine

Janet Mills (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

Maryland

Wes Moore (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

Massachusetts

Maura Healey (D) - Incumbent

Safe D

Minnesota

Tim Walz (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

Nebraska

Jim Pillen (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Nevada

Joe Lombardo (R) - Incumbent

Competitive

New Hampshire

Chris Sununu (R) - Incumbent

Likely R

New Mexico

Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

New York

Kathy Hochul (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

Ohio

Mike DeWine (R) - Term Limited

Lean R

Oklahoma

Kevin Stitt (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Oregon

Tina Kotek (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

Rhode Island

Dan McKee (D) - Incumbent

Likely D

South Carolina

Henry McMaster (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

South Dakota

Kristi Noem (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Tennessee

Bill Lee (R) - Incumbent

Safe R

Texas

Greg Abbott (R) - Incumbent

Likely R

Vermont

Phil Scott (R) - Incumbent

Likely R

Wyoming

Mark Gordon (R) - Term Limited

Safe R