The Midterm Editor's note: This page was last updated November 6, 2026. Results below are race calls by news organizations, not certified totals; state election offices certify the official count.
The result
Democrats won 28 governorships to 20 for Republicans, with Alaska and Kansas still uncalled. In the eight races we track, Democrats flipped Georgia, Nevada, and Ohio and held Arizona, California, Michigan, and an open Wisconsin seat; Republicans held Florida.
Full results are on the governor results page.
The big picture
Governor races are often described as the most local of the national contests. They turn on state budgets, schools, roads, and public safety, and voters sometimes split their ballots.
In 2026, 36 governorships are on the ballot. Four closely watched states have open seats because the incumbent is term-limited: California (Gavin Newsom), Florida (Ron DeSantis), Georgia (Brian Kemp), and Michigan (Gretchen Whitmer).
Other races feature an incumbent seeking another term, including Arizona (Katie Hobbs) and New York (Kathy Hochul).
Key numbers
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Governorships on the ballot | 36 states |
| Open seats | California, Florida, Georgia, and Michigan |
| Term-limited incumbents | Newsom (CA), DeSantis (FL), Kemp (GA), Whitmer (MI) |
| Incumbents on the ballot | Includes Hobbs (AZ) and Hochul (NY) |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
Governor races 2026: the states on the ballot
Matchups below are from late-October 2026 reporting. Where this site has a state voting guide, the link opens it; otherwise the link goes to the 270toWin governor map, which lists every state.
| State | Race | Why it matters | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Rick Jackson (R) vs. Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) | Open seat; Kemp is term-limited. The state also hosts a Senate race that decides the majority. | Georgia governor race |
| Ohio | Vivek Ramaswamy (R) vs. Amy Acton (D) | A large swing state with a Senate race on the same ballot. | Ohio governor race |
| Nevada | Joe Lombardo (R) vs. Aaron Ford (D) | A presidential battleground with a governor's office on the ballot. | Nevada governor race |
| Wisconsin | Tom Tiffany (R) vs. David Crowley (D) | A swing state where the governor's office shapes the 2028 map. | Wisconsin governor race |
| Iowa | Zach Lahn (R) vs. Rob Sand (D) | A state that has moved toward Republicans in recent cycles. | Governor map |
| Arizona | Andy Biggs (R) vs. Katie Hobbs (D) | An incumbent governor on the ballot in a presidential battleground. | Arizona governor race |
| California | Steve Hilton (R) vs. Xavier Becerra (D) | Open seat; Newsom is term-limited. | California governor race |
| Florida | Byron Donalds (R) vs. David Jolly (D) | Open seat; DeSantis is term-limited. | Florida governor race |
| Michigan | John James (R) vs. Jocelyn Benson (D) | Open seat; Whitmer is term-limited. | Michigan governor race |
| New York | Bruce Blakeman (R) vs. Kathy Hochul (D) | An incumbent governor on the ballot. | Governor map |
Each state with a dedicated page is linked in the table. Georgia's page also links to its voting guide because the governor and Senate contests share a ballot and much of the same electorate.
What a governor can actually do
A governor's power varies by state, but the core tools are similar. Governors propose and sign budgets, veto bills, appoint agency heads, and command the state National Guard. Most can call special sessions, and many have line-item veto power.
Governors also matter to elections. In most states, the governor appoints or shares authority over election officials, and in some states the office plays a role in certification. That does not mean a governor can overturn a result; state law and courts set the rules.
For 2028, the stakes are different. Governors help shape their party's bench, and a governor in a swing state can build a national profile. That is why races in Georgia, Nevada, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Ohio draw attention beyond their borders.
How the ratings work
A toss-up rating means the race is close enough that a small shift could decide it. Lean and likely describe a clearer advantage, not a guarantee. Outlets use different methods and schedules, so a race can be a toss-up at one shop and lean one way at another.
We do not restate a rating on this page. Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Decision Desk HQ publish current ratings and update them on different schedules; check the rater and the date before you rely on one.
The issues
Pew Research Center's September 28 to October 4, 2026 survey found the economy at 84%, followed by the future of democracy at 73%, health care at 68%, and education at 62%. Abortion was named very important by 46% overall, 49% of Democrats, and 43% of Republicans.
In governor races, those priorities appear as state questions: a budget shortfall, a school funding formula, a hospital closure, or a new abortion law. Our abortion issue page explains the national debate.
How to vote
Governor races appear on the same ballot as Senate and House contests. Registration deadlines, early voting, and mail ballot rules are set by each state. Start with our voting hub and then open your state guide. Your state or county elections office is the final authority.
Results
Results were reported after polls closed on November 3, 2026. Our results hub explains how race calls are made and why a governor's race can take longer to call than a Senate race in the same state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many governor races are there in 2026?
36 states elect a governor in 2026. Territorial governors are not covered in this guide.
Which governor races are most competitive?
Georgia, Ohio, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Iowa draw the most attention in late-October 2026 coverage. Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Decision Desk HQ publish current ratings; check the rater and the date, because the three are not interchangeable.
Why are so many governor seats open in 2026?
Term limits. The governors of California, Florida, Georgia, and Michigan are term-limited, which means their seats are open.
Do governor races affect the 2028 presidential election?
They can. Governors build national profiles, shape their state's political operation, and in swing states become part of the presidential map. But a governor's race is not a presidential primary.
Can a governor change election results?
Not by themselves. Election officials administer elections under state law, and courts and certification processes govern disputes. A governor may appoint election officials or sign election legislation, but cannot simply overturn a count.
Sources
- 270toWin: 2026 governor elections — race list and map. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Cook Political Report — governor race ratings. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Sabato's Crystal Ball — race ratings. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Conference of State Legislatures — state election administration. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Associated Press — race calls and reporting. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Last updated October 28, 2026. Matchups are based on late-October reporting; each linked guide carries its own sources and date.