The Midterm Editor's note: This page was last updated November 3, 2026. Race calls are attributed to the Associated Press with the time of the call. Certified results come from state election offices, which are the final authority.
The races we track
| State | Race page | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Hobbs vs. Biggs | Called for Katie Hobbs (D), re-elected — CBS News and Decision Desk HQ, night of Nov. 3 |
| California | Hilton vs. Becerra | Called for Xavier Becerra (D) — AP, night of Nov. 3 |
| Florida | Donalds vs. Jolly | Called for Byron Donalds (R) — election night, Nov. 3 |
| Georgia | Jackson vs. Bottoms | Called for Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) — AP, night of Nov. 3 |
| Michigan | James vs. Benson | Called for Jocelyn Benson (D) — Nov. 3–4 |
| Nevada | Lombardo vs. Ford | Called for Aaron Ford (D) — AP, night of Nov. 3 |
| Ohio | Ramaswamy vs. Acton | Called for Amy Acton (D) — AP, 10:49 p.m. ET, Nov. 3 |
| Wisconsin | Tiffany vs. Crowley | Called for David Crowley (D) — AP, night of Nov. 3 |
Status changes only when a news organization we can name calls the race; we give the outlet and the date. Our governors hub explains the full map and the 2028 implications.
What has been called
All eight races we track are settled, and the national picture changed with them.
- Four Republican-held seats flipped to Democrats: Georgia (Bottoms), Nevada (Ford), Ohio (Acton), and the open seat in Wisconsin (Crowley).
- Democrats held every seat they were defending in our eight: Arizona (Hobbs), California (Becerra), and Michigan (Benson).
- Republicans held Florida, where Byron Donalds succeeded Ron DeSantis.
Nationally, Democrats won a majority of the country's governorships for the first time in 16 years — 28 to 20, with Alaska and Kansas still uncalled. Those two races do not change which party holds the majority.
The 2026 class is also the most diverse group of governors ever elected at once, with Black governors winning in Georgia, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Florida, among other states.
Certification is the next step for every one of these results; Florida has set its certification for November 17, 2026. Our certification calendar explains what each state checks before it signs off.
Why governor results matter beyond the state
- Administration. A governor sets state spending, health policy, education rules, and emergency powers.
- Election administration. In most states the governor appoints or shares authority over the official who runs elections, which shapes how the next cycle is conducted.
- The 2028 map. Governors elected in 2026 serve four-year terms, so most will still be in office during the next presidential election.
- Redistricting. In several states the governor has a veto or a seat at the table when district lines are redrawn after the census cycle.
How a governor race is called
Calls follow the same logic as congressional races: the Associated Press compares reported totals with the ballots still outstanding and calls the race when the remaining votes cannot change the order of finish. State law decides when counting can start, how mail ballots are processed, and whether a recount is automatic in a close race.
Certification is separate from a call. County boards reconcile their totals, the state canvasses, and the governor's race is certified alongside the rest of the ballot. Our certification calendar explains that sequence.
Recounts and close races
A very narrow margin can trigger a recount, and the rules differ by state: some are automatic below a set threshold, others require a request, and a few allow a court-ordered count. A recount rarely reverses a result, but it can delay certification by weeks. Our uncalled races guide explains why a race can stay uncalled long after most ballots are counted.
Following the results
- The live results page records calls as they are confirmed.
- The Senate results page and the House results page cover the federal races on the same ballot.
- The voting hub explains the local rules that decide when each state reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the 2026 governor results be known?
All eight races we track were called by November 4. Nationally, only Alaska and Kansas remain uncalled, and neither changes which party holds the majority. Certification comes later.
Who won the governor races in 2026?
Democrats won a majority of governorships for the first time in 16 years, 28 to 20. In the races we track: Hobbs held Arizona, Becerra held California, Benson held Michigan, Bottoms flipped Georgia, Ford flipped Nevada, Acton flipped Ohio, and Crowley held an open Wisconsin seat. Donalds held Florida for Republicans.
Who won the Arizona governor race in 2026?
Katie Hobbs (D) won a second term, defeating Andy Biggs (R). CBS News and Decision Desk HQ called the race on the night of November 3; the state certifies the count afterward.
Do governor races affect control of Congress?
No. They decide who runs state government, who shapes election administration in many states, and which party holds an advantage going into 2028.
Why do some governor races take longer?
Mail ballots processed after Election Day, provisional ballots, close margins, and state recount rules all extend a count. A delay is not evidence of a problem.
Can a recount change a governor race?
It can, but most recounts change only a small number of votes. Rules and thresholds vary by state.
Do you call races yourself?
No. We record calls made by the Associated Press, with the time, and explain the count. We do not project winners.
Sources
- Associated Press — governor race calls and call times. Accessed November 6, 2026.
- CBS News — Arizona governor race call. Accessed November 6, 2026.
- 270toWin: 2026 governor elections — state-by-state results. Accessed November 6, 2026.
- National Conference of State Legislatures — recount and certification rules. Accessed November 6, 2026.
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission — election administration guidance. Accessed November 6, 2026.
Last updated November 6, 2026. Race status changes only when a call is sourced; certification comes from state election offices.