With Election Day just a day away, Democrats see an opportunity to take a majority of governorships for the first time since 2010. Republicans see opportunities to grow their hold on governorships as these races will shape state policy for years to come.
The Math
Currently, Republicans hold a 26-to-24 advantage in governorships. Both parties will look to flip some governors' mansions where their parties won in 2024. Race for the White House predicts that Democrats will win 27 races compared to 23 for the GOP.
Governors' races are seen as less partisan than national races like for president or the US Senate. Red states such as Kentucky and Kansas currently have Democratic governors, and blue states nationally such as New Hampshire and Vermont have Republican governors.
The Races
Across the country, several gubernatorial races are worth watching. In the South, all eyes are on Georgia, where former Atlanta mayor Keshia Lance Bottoms is running against businessman Rick Jackson to replace term-limited governor Brian Kemp. Cook Political Report rates this race as a toss-up. Democrats also see Florida as a long shot, as Republican-turned-Democrat David Jolly is running against Rep. Byron Donalds.
In the Northeast, both Vermont and New Hampshire have popular Republican governors who are favored to win against Democratic challengers. Usual swing-state Pennsylvania has little fanfare in its gubernatorial race, where Democrat governor Josh Shapiro is projected to win against State Treasurer Stacy Garrity.
The Midwest is home to many contested races, including Ohio's governor's race between Democrat Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, and Wisconsin's governor's race between executive David Crowley and Rep. Tom Tiffany. Iowa may be the Democrats' best chance to flip a Republican-held seat, where Democrat State Auditor Rob Sand is running against businessman Zach Lahn. Republicans' best pickup opportunity lands in Kansas, where moderate Democrat governor Laura Kelly is term-limited.
Out West, both Arizona and Nevada have competitive races. AZ Democratic governor Katie Hobbs is running against Rep. Andy Biggs, and in Nevada, Republican governor Joe Lombardo is running against Democrat Attorney General Aaron Ford.
Conclusion
Democrats have a chance to flip most governorships, but Republicans can still keep the majority if they win tight races across the country.
