- Source: 2026 United States gubernatorial elections
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 elected their governors in 2024. Many of the states with elections in this cycle have incumbents who are officially term-limited.
There are 2 states with Republican Governors in states Kamala Harris won in 2024 (Vermont and New Hampshire) and there are 5 states with Democratic Governors in states Donald Trump won, 1 of these being by double digits (Kansas, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania)
Race summary
= States
== Territories and federal district
=Alabama
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. 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.
Alaska
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. Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom is also a potential candidate.
Arizona
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. Starting with this next election cycle, gubernatorial candidates will be required to nominate a running mate for the newly established office of Lieutenant Governor. Secretary of State Adrian Fontes is considering a primary challenge.
Arkansas
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders was elected in 2022 with 63.1% of the vote. She is running for re-election to a second term.
California
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.
Colorado
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.
Former DaVita CEO Kent Thiry was speculated to be considering an independent bid, but told Colorado Public Radio that he would not run.
Connecticut
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.
Florida
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 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.
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.
Georgia
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 has announced his campaign for the Republican nomination.
Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones has 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.
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.
Hawaii
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.
Idaho
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.
Illinois
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. If he decides against running, potential Democratic candidates include U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel.
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.
Iowa
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. State Auditor Rob Sand is also mentioned as a potential candidate for governor.
Kansas
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. 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.
Maine
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, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, State Senate President Troy Jackson, former State House Speaker and Director of the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future Hannah Pingree, and current State House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, have been mentioned as possible candidates for the Democratic nomination. On the Republican side, State Senator Rick Bennett, State Representative Laurel Libby, and political analyst Ray Richardson are potential candidates.
Maryland
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.
Potential Republican candidates include House minority leader Jason C. Buckel, Senate minority leader Stephen S. Hershey Jr., and former Harford County Executive Barry Glassman.
Massachusetts
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.
Cryptocurrency attorney and 2024 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts John Deaton is seen as a potential challenger.
Michigan
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, and State Senator Mallory McMorrow.
Minnesota
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, no Minnesota governor has won a third term.
Walz was nominated as his party's candidate for vice president in the 2024 presidential election, which he ended up losing to JD Vance. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has expressed interest in running for governor if Walz decides not to seek re-election.
Nebraska
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.
Nevada
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. State attorney general Aaron D. Ford is considered a viable Democratic challenger to Lombardo if he chooses to run again.
New Hampshire
The governor-elect is Kelly Ayotte, who was elected in the 2024 election, New Hampshire elects its governors on a two-year cycle, but Ayotte has not stated whether or not she will run for reelection yet.
New Mexico
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.
State Senate Minority Leader Gregory A. Baca is a potential Republican candidate.
New York
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.
U.S. Representative for New York's 17th congressional district Mike Lawler is widely seen as a potential Republican challenger.
Ohio
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. Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted and Attorney General Dave Yost have expressed interest in running.
Oklahoma
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.
Oregon
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.
Pennsylvania
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.
Rhode Island
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. Raimondo has also expressed interest in running for another term.
South Carolina
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.
South Dakota
Governor Kristi Noem was re-elected in 2022 with 62% of the vote. She will resign to take the position of Secretary of Homeland Security should she be confirmed. Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden is expected to become governor following Noem's resignation, however he has not yet announced whether he'll seek a full term as governor.
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, with one poll showing a tie with Johnson in a potential Republican primary.
Tennessee
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.
Texas
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.
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.
Vermont
Governor Phil Scott was re-elected in 2024 with 73.4% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election to a sixth term, but has not yet stated if he will do so.
Wisconsin
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.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Attorney General Josh Kaul are possible Democratic candidates.
Wyoming
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.
President-elect Donald Trump has encouraged Republican state senator Bo Biteman to run for the position in 2026.
Territories and federal district
= District of Columbia
=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.
= Guam
=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.
= Northern Mariana Islands
=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.
= U.S. Virgin Islands
=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.
Notes
References
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- 2026 United States gubernatorial elections
- 2026 United States elections
- 2026 California gubernatorial election
- 2026 Florida gubernatorial election
- 2026 Kansas gubernatorial election
- 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election
- 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election
- 2026 Texas gubernatorial election
- 2026 Iowa gubernatorial election
- 2026 New York gubernatorial election
