Governor races: 18 to 18 split, 19 open seats define the stakes
With no incumbent in nearly half the contests, voters in nine battleground states will decide which party controls the executive branch for the next two years.
By Luca Harrison ·
Thirty-six governorships are up for election on Tuesday, creating a pivotal contest for state leadership across the country. According to Ballotpedia, Republicans currently hold 26 governor's offices while Democrats hold 24. Among the specific races on the ballot this year, each party holds 18 seats, setting the stage for a direct showdown over which party will command more executive power in statehouses.
A defining characteristic of this cycle is the high number of open seats. Ballotpedia reports that 19 of the 36 races have no incumbent on the ballot. Fifteen governors are term limited, meaning they cannot seek re-election. Additionally, three incumbents chose not to run: Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Tim Walz of Minnesota, and Tony Evers of Wisconsin. Daniel McKee of Rhode Island also did not appear on the general election ballot after losing his primary. This turnover means voters in these states are not voting for or against a sitting governor, but are instead selecting a new leader from scratch.
The stakes for party control are clear. Democrats would need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority. Republicans have held the majority of governorships since 2010, so a Democratic shift would mark a significant change in the balance of power at the state level. This potential flip is a primary goal for the Democratic Party, which hopes to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades.
Nine states are identified as battlegrounds for governor: Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin. In these states, the outcome is considered uncertain. Democrats are defending five of these governorships in states that Donald Trump won in the 2024 presidential election. These include Arizona, where Katie Hobbs is running, as well as Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Although Pennsylvania is not listed in the primary battleground list for the majority race, Josh Shapiro is defending his seat there. Republicans are defending two governorships in states that Kamala Harris won in 2024: New Hampshire, where Kelly Ayotte is running, and Vermont, where Phil Scott is running.
Specific matchups in these competitive states have drawn national attention. In Georgia, Republican health care executive Rick Jackson faces Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to succeed Brian Kemp. The Associated Press and PBS NewsHour highlight this race as a key test for both parties. In Nevada, Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is running against Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. These races represent opportunities for each party to consolidate ground in states that are politically competitive at the federal level as well.
Ohio presents a high-profile contest between Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton. Ramaswamy, a former congressman, has been a prominent figure in Republican politics. His campaign faced recent attention due to an advertisement featuring Acton's estranged mother, which generated backlash from both supporters and critics. The Associated Press also identifies Texas, Florida, and Iowa as competitive governor races, suggesting that the fight for state executive power extends beyond the nine states formally labeled as battlegrounds by Ballotpedia.
The absence of incumbents in many of these races changes the dynamic of the campaign. Voters are not judging a track record but are evaluating the candidate's vision and past experience. In states like Iowa and Wisconsin, the decision of sitting governors to step aside has opened the door for new leaders to emerge. This aligns with the broader theme of turnover in the 2026 midterms, where many long-serving officials have retired or are term limited.
Democrats have expressed cautious optimism about their chances in the governor races. They view the open seats as an opportunity to gain ground in states that have historically leaned Republican or are considered swing states. The party's strategy focuses on highlighting economic issues and the cost of living, themes that resonate with voters who feel financial strain. Republicans, meanwhile, are focused on defending their current holdings and winning key states like Ohio and Georgia to maintain their majority.
The outcome of these governor races will have immediate implications for state policy. Governors control state budgets, appoint judges, and set the agenda for their state legislatures. A shift in the number of Democratic governors could influence how states approach issues such as infrastructure spending, education, and energy policy. With 19 open seats, the potential for change is significant, and the results will shape the political landscape for the next four to six years.
As voters head to the polls, the governor races offer a clear view of the midterms' competitive nature. The 18 to 18 split among the contested seats means that every vote in the battleground states could tip the balance. With no incumbents in nearly half the races, voters have the power to reshape the executive branch of state government. The final results will determine which party holds the majority and sets the tone for state governance in the latter half of President Trump's second term.
