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United States gubernatorial elections are scheduled to be held on November 3, 2026, in 36 states and three territories. The previous gubernatorial elections for this group of states took place in 2022, except in New Hampshire and Vermont, where governors serve two-year terms and will elect their governors in 2024. Many of the states with elections in this cycle have incumbents who are officially term-limited.
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39 governorships 36 states; 3 territories | ||||||||||
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 Democratic incumbent Term-limited Democrat Republican incumbent Term-limited Republican Independent incumbent No election Incumbent TBD | ||||||||||
| State | Governor | Party | First elected | Last race | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Kay Ivey | Republican | 2017[lower-alpha 1] | 67.4% R | Term-limited | TBD |
| Alaska | Mike Dunleavy | Republican | 2018 | 50.3% R | Term-limited | TBD |
| Arizona | Katie Hobbs | Democratic | 2022 | 50.3% D | Eligible | TBD |
| Arkansas | Sarah Huckabee Sanders | Republican | 2022 | 63.0% R | Running | ▌Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Republican)[1] |
| California | Gavin Newsom | Democratic | 2018 | 59.2% D | Term-limited |
|
| Colorado | Jared Polis | Democratic | 2018 | 58.5% D | Term-limited | TBD |
| Connecticut | Ned Lamont | Democratic | 2018 | 56.0% D | Eligible | TBD |
| Florida | Ron DeSantis | Republican | 2018 | 59.4% R | Term-limited | TBD |
| Georgia | Brian Kemp | Republican | 2018 | 53.4% R | Term-limited | TBD |
| Hawaii | Josh Green | Democratic | 2022 | 63.2% D | Eligible | TBD |
| Idaho | Brad Little | Republican | 2018 | 60.5% R | Eligible | TBD |
| Illinois | J. B. Pritzker | Democratic | 2018 | 54.9% D | Eligible | TBD |
| Iowa | Kim Reynolds | Republican | 2017[lower-alpha 2] | 58.1% R | Eligible | TBD |
| Kansas | Laura Kelly | Democratic | 2018 | 49.5% D | Term-limited | TBD |
| Maine | Janet Mills | Democratic | 2018 | 55.7% D | Term-limited | TBD |
| Maryland | Wes Moore | Democratic | 2022 | 64.5% D | Running | ▌Wes Moore (Democratic)[9] |
| Massachusetts | Maura Healey | Democratic | 2022 | 63.7% D | Eligible | TBD |
| Michigan | Gretchen Whitmer | Democratic | 2018 | 54.5% D | Term-limited | TBD |
| Minnesota | Tim Walz | DFL | 2018 | 52.3% DFL | Eligible | TBD |
| Nebraska | Jim Pillen | Republican | 2022 | 59.7% R | Eligible | TBD |
| Nevada | Joe Lombardo | Republican | 2022 | 48.8% R | Eligible | TBD |
| New Hampshire | TBD in 2024 | |||||
| New Mexico | Michelle Lujan Grisham | Democratic | 2018 | 52.0% D | Term-limited | TBD |
| New York | Kathy Hochul | Democratic | 2021[lower-alpha 3] | 53.2% D | Running | ▌Kathy Hochul (Democratic)[10] |
| Ohio | Mike DeWine | Republican | 2018 | 62.4% R | Term-limited | TBD |
| Oklahoma | Kevin Stitt | Republican | 2018 | 55.4% R | Term-limited | TBD |
| Oregon | Tina Kotek | Democratic | 2022 | 47.0% D | Eligible | TBD |
| Pennsylvania | Josh Shapiro | Democratic | 2022 | 56.5% D | Eligible |
|
| Rhode Island | Dan McKee | Democratic | 2021[lower-alpha 4] | 57.9% D | Eligible | TBD |
| South Carolina | Henry McMaster | Republican | 2017[lower-alpha 5] | 58.1% R | Term-limited | TBD |
| South Dakota | Kristi Noem | Republican | 2018 | 62.0% R | Term-limited | TBD |
| Tennessee | Bill Lee | Republican | 2018 | 64.9% R | Term-limited | TBD |
| Texas | Greg Abbott | Republican | 2014 | 54.8% R | Running | ▌Greg Abbott (Republican)[12] |
| Vermont | TBD in 2024 | |||||
| Wisconsin | Tony Evers | Democratic | 2018 | 51.2% D | Eligible | ▌Jill Ferguson (Green)[13] |
| Wyoming | Mark Gordon | Republican | 2018 | 78.7% R | Term-limited | TBD |
| Territory | Governor | Party | First elected | Last race | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | Muriel Bowser | Democratic | 2014 | 74.7% D | Eligible | TBD |
| Guam | Lou Leon Guerrero | Democratic | 2018 | 55.5% D | Term-limited | ▌Josh Tenorio (Democratic) |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Arnold Palacios | Independent | 2022 | 54.0% I | Eligible | TBD |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Albert Bryan | Democratic | 2018 | 56.0% D | Term-limited | TBD |
Governor Kay Ivey was re-elected in 2022 with 67.4% of the vote. She will be term-limited by the Constitution of Alabama in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive full term.
Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth; Huntsville mayor Tommy Battle; businessman Tim James, the son of former governor Fob James and a candidate for governor in 2002, 2010, and 2022; and Attorney General Steve Marshall are considered potential Republican candidates.[14] Although Ainsworth has not announced a candidacy, he has been endorsed for the 2026 gubernatorial election by Nathaniel Ledbetter, the speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives.[15]
Governor Mike Dunleavy was re-elected in 2022 with 50.3% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the Constitution of Alaska in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.
Republican State Senator Click Bishop has expressed interest in running.[16] while Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom is a potential candidate.
Governor Katie Hobbs was elected in 2022 with 50.3% of the vote. She is eligible to run for re-election and has begun raising funds in preparation for a 2026 campaign.[17] Starting with this next election cycle, gubernatorial candidates will be required to nominate a running mate for the newly established office of Lieutenant Governor.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders was elected in 2022 with 63.1% of the vote. She is running for re-election to a second term.[1]
Governor Gavin Newsom was re-elected in 2022 with 59.2% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the California Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third term.
State Senate President Toni Atkins, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, FFA Secretary Jesse Perez, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former Controller Betty Yee have all announced their candidacies.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
Governor Jared Polis was re-elected in 2022 with 58.5% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the Colorado Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.
Potential Democratic candidates include Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, Congressman Joe Neguse, and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and former Senator Ken Salazar.[18][19]
Former DaVita CEO Kent Thiry was speculated to be considering an independent bid, but told Colorado Public Radio that he would not run.[20]
Governor Ned Lamont was re-elected in 2022 with 56% of the vote. Because Connecticut does not have gubernatorial term limits in its Constitution, he is eligible to run for re-election to a third term. Lamont has not confirmed whether he will seek reelection.[21]
Governor Ron DeSantis was re-elected in 2022 with 59.4% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the Florida Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.
Congressman Byron Donalds has expressed interest in running for the Republican nomination[22][23] while Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, and Mayor of Miami Francis Suarez are seen as potential Republican candidates.[24][25][26]
On the Democratic side, State House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell and Chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party Nikki Fried, who served as Agriculture Commissioner and ran for Governor in 2022, are seen as potential candidates.[27][28]
Governor Brian Kemp was re-elected in 2022 with 53.4% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the Georgia Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.
Attorney General Christopher M. Carr and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones have expressed interest in running for the Republican nomination while Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler, and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger are seen as potential Republican candidates.[29][30][31]
On the Democratic side, former State House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, who was the nominee for governor in 2018 and 2022, has expressed interest in running for the nomination while Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Mayor of Atlanta and former director of the White House Office of Public Engagement; Jason Carter, former State Senator, 2014 nominee, and grandson of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter; and Mayor of Atlanta Andre Dickens; and Congresswoman Lucy McBath are seen as potential candidates.[32][33][34]
Governor Josh Green was elected in 2022 with 63.2% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if he will do so.
Governor Brad Little was re-elected in 2022 with 60.5% of the vote. Because Idaho does not have gubernatorial term limits in its Constitution, he is eligible to run for re-election to a third term, but has not yet stated whether he will do so.
Governor J. B. Pritzker was re-elected in 2022 with 54.9% of the vote. Because Illinois does not have gubernatorial term limits in its Constitution, he is eligible to run for re-election to a third term and has publicly expressed interest in doing so.[35]
Potential Republican candidates include former state senator and 2022 gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey, former Cook County Republican Party chair Aaron Del Mar and Republican national committeeman Richard Porter.[36]
Governor Kim Reynolds was re-elected in 2022 with 58.1% of the vote. Because Iowa does not have gubernatorial term limits in its Constitution, she is eligible to run for re-election to a third full term, but has not yet stated whether she will do so.
House Speaker Pat Grassley has declined to run, opting instead to run for re-election in 2026. On the Democratic side, House minority leader Jennifer Konfrst has expressed interest in running.[37] State Auditor Rob Sand is also mentioned as a potential candidate for governor.[38]
Governor Laura Kelly was re-elected in 2022 with 49.5% of the vote. She will be term limited by the Kansas Constitution and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.
Lieutenant governor David Toland is seen as a potential Democratic candidate for governor.[39] U.S. representative Jake LaTurner was seen as a potential candidate on the Republican side, but said in April 2024 that he would not run for any state offices in 2026.[40]
Governor Janet Mills was re-elected in 2022 with 55.4% of the vote. She will be term limited by the Maine Constitution and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term. U.S. Representative for Maine's 2nd congressional district Jared Golden has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Democratic nomination.[41]
Governor Wes Moore was elected in 2022 with 64.5% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election and intends to run for a second term.[9]
Potential Republican candidates include House minority leader Jason C. Buckel, Senate minority leader Stephen S. Hershey Jr., and former Harford County Executive Barry Glassman.[42]
Governor Maura Healey was elected in 2022 with 63.7% of the vote. Healey is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if she will do so.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer was re-elected in 2022 with 54.5% of the vote. She will be term-limited by the Michigan Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third term.
Potential Democratic candidates include Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist,[43] and State Senator Mallory McMorrow.[44]
Governor Tim Walz was re-elected in 2022 with 52.3% of the vote. Because Minnesota does not have gubernatorial term limits in its Constitution, he is eligible to run for re-election to a third term but has not yet stated whether he will do so. Since the adoption of four-year terms in 1962,[lower-alpha 6] no Minnesota governor has won a third term.
Walz has been nominated as his party's candidate for vice president in the 2024 presidential election, meaning he will resign as governor before his current term expires if elected to the office.[46] Minnesota's gubernatorial line of succession designates Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan to succeed to the governorship if Walz were to resign.[47] In an August 2024 interview, Flanagan expressed interest in running for governor whether she succeeds to serve a shortened term or not.[48]
Governor Jim Pillen was elected in 2022 with 59.7% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election, but has not yet stated if he will do so.
Governor Joe Lombardo was elected in 2022 with 48.8% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election, but has not yet stated if he will do so.
The incumbent governor will be determined in 2024, as New Hampshire elects its governors on a two-year cycle.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham was re-elected in 2022 with 52% of the vote. She will be term-limited by the New Mexico Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.
Potential Democratic candidates include U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, and Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales.[citation needed]
State Senate Minority Leader Gregory A. Baca is a potential Republican candidate.[49]
Governor Kathy Hochul took office in 2021 upon the resignation of Andrew Cuomo and was elected to a full term in 2022 with 53.2% of the vote. She is eligible to run for re-election to a second full term. On July 2, 2024, Hochul announced her intention to seek re-election.[50]
Former Representative Lee Zeldin, the 2022 Republican nominee for Governor, has expressed interest in running again.[51][52]
Governor Mike DeWine was re-elected in 2022 with 62.4% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the Ohio Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.
U.S. Marine veteran Jeremiah Workman, the running mate of Joe Blystone during the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary, has announced his candidacy.[53] Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted and Attorney General Dave Yost have expressed interest in running.[54][55]
Governor Kevin Stitt was re-elected in 2022 with 55.4% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the Oklahoma Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third term.
State Auditor Cindy Byrd, Attorney General Gentner Drummond, State House Speaker Charles McCall, Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, State Senate President Greg Treat, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters are all potential Republican candidates.[56][57][58][59][60]
Governor Tina Kotek was elected in 2022 with 47% of the vote. She is eligible to run for re-election, but has not yet stated if she will do so.
Governor Josh Shapiro was elected in 2022 with 56.5% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election, but has not yet stated if he will do so.
Doug Mastriano, the Republican nominee against Shapiro in 2022, has been named as a potential candidate.[61]
Governor Dan McKee took office in 2021 upon the resignation of Gina Raimondo and was elected to a full term in 2022 with 58.1% of the vote. Because McKee served less than two years of Raimondo's term, he is eligible to run for re-election to a second consecutive full term. However, he has not yet stated if he will do so.
Governor Henry McMaster was re-elected in 2022 with 58.1% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the South Carolina Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive full term.
Possible Republican candidates include Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, State Senate Majority Leader A. Shane Massey, U.S. Senator Tim Scott, businessman and 2018 gubernatorial candidate John Warren, and Attorney General Alan Wilson.[62][63]
Governor Kristi Noem was re-elected in 2022 with 62% of the vote. She will be term-limited by the South Dakota Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.
U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson has been named as a potential Republican candidate while U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, who served as governor from 2003 to 2011, is also reportedly considering a candidacy,[64] with one poll showing a tie with Johnson in a potential Republican primary.[65]
Governor Bill Lee was re-elected in 2022 with 64.9% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the Tennessee Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.
U.S. Representative Mark Green, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, and State House Speaker Cameron Sexton have been named as potential Republican candidates.[66]
Governor Greg Abbott was re-elected in 2022 with 54.8% of the vote. Because Texas does not have gubernatorial term limits in its Constitution, he is eligible to run for re-election to a fourth term. On March 1, 2024, Abbott announced his intention to seek re-election.[12]
Dave Clark, a former Amazon executive and former CEO of Flexport, and James Talarico, state representative from the 50th district, are seen as a potential Democratic candidates.[67][68]
The incumbent governor of Vermont will be determined in 2024, as Vermont elects governors on a two-year cycle.
Governor Tony Evers was re-elected in 2022 with 51.2% of the vote. Because Wisconsin does not have gubernatorial term limits in its Constitution, he is eligible to run for re-election to a third term, and has not ruled out doing so.[69]
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Attorney General Josh Kaul are possible Democratic candidates.[70][71]
Governor Mark Gordon was re-elected in 2022 with 74.1% of the vote. He will be term limited by the Wyoming Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election for a third consecutive term.
Former President Donald Trump has encouraged Republican state senator Bo Biteman to run for the position in 2026.[72]
Mayor Muriel Bowser was re-elected in 2022 with 74.6% of the vote. She is eligible to run for re-election to a fourth term, but has not yet stated whether she will do so.
Governor Lou Leon Guerrero was re-elected in 2022 with 55.5% of the vote. She will be term limited in 2026 and cannot seek re-election for a third consecutive term. Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio, a Democrat elected alongside Leon Guerrero, announced in 2023 that he would pursue the governorship in 2026.[73]
Governor Arnold Palacios was elected in 2022 with 54.1% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election to a second term, but has not yet stated whether he will do so.
Governor Albert Bryan was re-elected in 2022 with 56.1% of the vote. He will be term limited in 2026 and cannot seek re-election for a third consecutive term.
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