Key battleground regions and prominent figures preparing for intense 2026 gubernatorial contests
Governors' Races Shaping Up for 2023 Elections
The political landscape is shifting as several governors across the United States announce their decisions to run for re-election or step down, creating opportunities for both Democrats and Republicans in key states.
In Maine, Democrat Janet Mills is term-limited, which could potentially open up the state for a change in party leadership. Maine hasn't elected consecutive governors from the same party since the 1950s.
Wisconsin Democrats will need to select a new candidate to keep the state under their party's control, as Governor Tony Evers has announced he will not run for another term. Evers, who has been governor since 2019, said he could have won another term but chose to step aside to spend more time with his family.
Republicans will be defending the governorship in Georgia, where incumbent Governor Brian Kemp is term-limited. The contest to replace him will have high stakes, as whoever leads the state instantly becomes one of the stars in the Democratic Party and potentially invites speculation about a future presidential run. Former Atlanta mayor and Biden administration official Keisha Lance Bottoms is running for governor in Georgia.
Democrats will also need to select a replacement for Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, with Michael Bennet appearing to be the strong frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, but facing a potential challenge from Ken Salazar if he steps into the race.
The Democratic Party's best opportunity to flip control of a governor's mansion will likely come in Nevada. Current Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is running for a second term, but two high-profile Democrats, current Attorney General Aaron Ford and Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill, have announced they're running to unseat him.
Six swing states from the 2024 presidential race will vote for governor next year. Wisconsin Democrats will need to select a new candidate to keep the state under their party's control, and no official Democratic candidates have been announced for the Wisconsin gubernatorial election yet.
Republicans face similar circumstances in Alabama, where Gov. Kay Ivey is term-limited, and former college football coach and current U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville is currently the only significant candidate for the GOP primary there.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, both Republicans, will not be on the ballot, potentially making those states more reachable for Democrats in a blue wave.
In Minnesota, five Republicans have already joined the race to unseat former vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz, while in Michigan, four candidates, including Michigan's current secretary of state and lieutenant governor, have already announced they're running in the Democratic primary for the governorship. However, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is a Democrat, cannot run again due to term limits.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis cannot seek another term, and Trump may have already sealed the GOP primary for that state with his endorsement of Rep. Byron Donalds in February.
New Hampshire's current Republican governor, Kelly Ayotte, could face a tough reelection bid if a serious Democratic challenger joins the race.
Lastly, the contest to replace California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited, will have especially high stakes, as whoever leads the Golden State instantly becomes one of the stars in the Democratic Party and potentially invites speculation about a future presidential run.
These governors' races will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in the coming years, with key states up for grabs and high-profile candidates vying for positions. Stay tuned for more updates as the election season heats up.
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