Democrats press to win a majority of governors' offices in midterms
after power struggles with Trump
[November 03, 2026]
By MARC LEVY
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democrats are heading into Tuesday's midterm
elections hoping to take over a majority of governors' offices for the
first time in two decades, as they ride a wave of voter discontent over
the economy, inflation, healthcare and the future of democracy.
The number of states in play is surprisingly large, a reflection of
President Donald Trump's poor approval ratings dragging on his party.
Competitive races include those in heavily populated states such as
Texas and Florida; presidential battleground states such as Michigan and
Wisconsin; and reliably red states such as Iowa and Ohio.
In the weeks leading up to Election Day, Trump went to heavily
Republican areas to headline rallies attended by GOP gubernatorial
candidates looking for a boost.
All told, 36 states that are home to about 80% of the nation’s
population will elect a governor Tuesday. In 19 states, the office is
open. Heading into the elections, Democratic governors represented 60%
of the nation’s population, but Republicans held 26 of the nation's 50
governors’ offices.
“Our goal is not just the majority of the population, but the majority
of states,” Meghan Meehan-Draper, the executive director of the
Democratic Governors Association, told The Associated Press.
Democrats last gained a majority of governorships in 2006, flipping six
governors’ offices in the last midterm under a second-term Republican
president. Republicans recaptured the majority four years later.
Meanwhile, more states under Democratic leadership could mean more
governors fighting — or ignoring — Trump's agenda.
Trump has tested the power of states, clashing primarily with
Democratic-led states over call-ups of National Guard troops,
immigration operations, conditions on federal aid and efforts to assert
federal control over election requirements, including restricting mail
voting.
A dozen races are seen as the most competitive
Democrats' best opportunities to pick up a governor’s office are in
Alaska, Georgia, Iowa and Ohio, where the incumbents are term-limited,
and in Nevada, where state Attorney General Aaron Ford is challenging
Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo.
Georgia and Alaska haven’t elected a Democratic governor since 1998.
Iowa and Ohio haven’t elected one since 2006.
Republicans' best chance to capture an executive suite is in Kansas, a
normally deep red state where Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is
term-limited.
Next on the GOP’s list is Wisconsin, where Republican U.S. Rep. Tom
Tiffany is taking on Democrat David Crowley, after the Milwaukee County
executive eked out a primary win.
Republicans also have an eye on Michigan's open governor’s office and on
Oregon, where Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek is trying to fend off a second
challenge from Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan.
Democrats feel like they have a chance in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and
Nebraska.
Races in Ohio and Texas are getting attention
Ohio’s race grabbed national headlines when Republican Vivek Ramaswamy's
campaign created an ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton’s estranged mother
criticizing her. Acton’s mother lost custody of her children decades ago
after her husband, Acton’s stepfather, was indicted for raping Acton as
a child.
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Whit sits on the shoulders of father Hayden Anderson-Michaud as he
casts his ballot at a polling location open for early voting at the
Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in
Wasilla, Alaska. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The ad drew bipartisan rebukes, including from Ohio Republican Gov.
Mike DeWine. Conversely, Trump praised the ad and Vice President JD
Vance, an Ohioan, defended it.
In Texas, where no Democrat has been elected to statewide office
since 1994, Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa mounted a
competitive challenge to third-term Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
Hinojosa was seen as a long shot after she emerged from a primary
with a fraction of Abbott’s cash total. In September, fellow Latino
politicians and politicos wrote to the Democratic Governors
Association to request $10 million in campaign aid, saying Hinojosa
had made it a close race.
The DGA gave $1 million — far less than it spent in Arizona,
Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Notably, Abbott skipped Trump’s rally in Texas, a sign of the
president's unpopularity.
Contests are in big states and swing states, too
California Democrat Xavier Becerra is expected to cruise to victory,
as is Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York.
Republicans are trying to hang on to Florida, the nation’s
third-most populous state, where Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds
is vying against Democrat David Jolly, a former Republican
congressman.
Control of the executive branch is on the line in the six swing
states from the 2024 presidential election: Arizona, Georgia,
Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The winners could have substantial influence over election
administration during the 2028 presidential election. That could be
important, considering Trump’s interest in expanding federal control
over elections.
Meanwhile, some Democratic governors seeking reelection are
considered possible presidential candidates in 2028.
They include Govs. Wes Moore of Maryland, JB Pritzker of Illinois
and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania.
Demonstrating a big margin of victory, fundraising prowess and the
electoral strength to help other Democrats win sends a strong signal
to donors and party activists, analysts say.
The 2026 election could produce some firsts
In Texas, Hinojosa is vying to become the first Latina governor,
while Deb Haaland of New Mexico hopes to become the first Native
American woman to lead a state.
More states are poised to elect Black governors, as well. There are
seven Black major party gubernatorial nominees on ballots, in
addition to Maryland’s Moore. In the past 250 years, only three
elected governors have been Black.
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