36 Governor Races: 18 Split, 9 Battlegrounds, 19 Open Seats
With an even 18 to 18 starting split, voters decide which party controls the nation's executive offices in a cycle defined by open seats and tight margins.
By Adewale Fletcher ·
Voters across the United States are heading to the polls on Tuesday to decide 36 governorships in a cycle that starts with a perfect partisan balance. Republicans hold 18 of the governor's offices currently on the ballot, while Democrats hold the other 18. This even split means that a net gain of just two seats for the Democratic Party would secure a nationwide majority of governorships, a position they have not held since 2010. This race is part of a broader midterm contest where control of Congress and state leadership will be determined simultaneously.
Nineteen of these 36 races are being held without an incumbent on the ballot, a factor that historically increases volatility in state leadership elections. Ballotpedia details that 15 of these seats are open because the sitting governors were term-limited. Additionally, three governors chose not to seek another term: Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Tim Walz of Minnesota, and Tony Evers of Wisconsin. Rhode Island’s Daniel McKee also vacated his seat after losing his primary contest. This high number of open seats creates a landscape where party brand recognition must compete with individual candidate appeal and local economic conditions.
Nine states are identified as governor’s race battlegrounds by Ballotpedia, creating a tight cluster of competitive contests. These states include Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The AP and PBS NewsHour have highlighted several key matchups within these states. In Georgia, Republican health care executive Rick Jackson faces Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to succeed Brian Kemp. In Nevada, Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is running against Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. These races are closely watched because the outcomes will determine which party controls the state’s executive branch for the next two years.
In Ohio, the race features Republican Vivek Ramaswamy against Democrat Amy Acton. Ramaswamy’s campaign faced significant attention following an advertisement that featured Acton’s estranged mother. In Michigan, Democrats are defending the governorship held by Katie Hobbs, while in Arizona, Katie Hobbs is also defending her seat. Wait, correction based on facts: Katie Hobbs is in Arizona. The facts state Democrats defend five governorships in states Trump won in 2024: Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro is the incumbent Democrat. In Wisconsin, the seat is open due to Tony Evers not running. In Kansas and Michigan, the seats are open due to term limits or retirement, though the text says Democrats defend them, implying their candidates are running. Actually, the text says Democrats defend five governorships, listing Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Since Kansas and Wisconsin are open seats, this implies Democratic candidates are running to defend the party’s current hold on those offices.
Republicans are defending two governorships in states that voted for Kamala Harris in 2024. These are New Hampshire, where Kelly Ayotte is the incumbent, and Vermont, where Phil Scott is the incumbent. The AP calls Texas, Florida, and Iowa competitive governor races, suggesting that even outside the nine designated battlegrounds, the margin of victory may be narrow. The Associated Press notes that Democrats hope to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades, a goal that hinges on performance in these tight states.
The mood surrounding these races is heavily influenced by national issues. The AP describes the election as a referendum on President Donald Trump’s second term, with voters struggling with high prices and anger over an unpopular war with Iran. AP-NORC polling indicates that 35% of U.S. Adults approve of Trump’s job performance, while only 25% approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in 10 Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction, and most blame Trump for high prices. This economic anxiety is a central theme for both parties’ candidates in the governor’s races.
More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. This high level of early participation suggests that the final outcome in many of the 36 races may be determined before polls close on Tuesday. Republicans are bracing to lose the House and are fighting to hold the Senate, while Democrats are described as cautiously optimistic. The AP notes that one or two seats could tip either chamber, making the governor’s races a critical indicator of the broader political shift.
Money is playing a significant role in these campaigns, with the 2026 elections likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees at the committee level, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. AP analysis of AdImpact data shows that 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This targeted spending is evident in the governor’s races, where both parties are investing heavily in the nine battleground states.
Voter sentiment is mixed, as reflected in quotes from both parties and independents. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated, “Everything depends on turnout. If we turn out our voters, we win, and that’s what we’ve been planning for.” DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene countered, “The American people are angry. They want change.” Voter Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, said, “I’ve just been following Trump the whole time. I really think he’s doing an awesome job.” In contrast, James Moore, 57, a librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, said, “I’m paying more taxes. I’m paying more for my healthcare. I’m paying more for everything.”
