10 Key Battleground Governor's Races Identified in 2026 Election

On October 1, 2026, Ballotpedia identified 10 of the 36 governor's races in the 2026 election as battlegrounds, with eight of these races lacking an incumbent candidate. Of the 36 governorships up for grabs, Democrats and Republicans each hold 18. Fifteen incumbent governors are term-limited, with six Democrats and nine Republicans among them.

Alaska is one of the battleground states, with no incumbent running. The top candidates include Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (D), David Bronson (R), Treg Taylor (R), and Bernadette Wilson (R). The state has not had a Democratic governor since Tony Knowles left office in 2002.

Arizona is another key battleground, with incumbent Katie Hobbs (D) facing Andy Biggs (R), Risa Lombardo (G), and Teri Hourihan (No Labels Party). Hobbs won the 2022 election by a narrow margin, 50.3% to 49.6%, defeating President Donald Trump (R) in the 2024 presidential election, 52.2% to 46.7%.

California's governorship is also up for grabs, with Xavier Becerra (D) and Steve Hilton (R) running against each other. Incumbent Gavin Newsom (D) is term-limited, and this race is one of five Democrats defending governorships in states where President Trump won in 2024.

Georgia's governorship is another battleground, with Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) and Rick Jackson (R) running. Incumbent Brian Kemp (R) is term-limited, and the last Democrat to hold the office was Roy Barnes in 1998.

Iowa's governorship is up for grabs, with Rob Sand (D) and Zach Lahn (R) running. Incumbent Kim Reynolds (R) is not seeking re-election. The last Democrat to be elected governor of Iowa was Chet Culver in 2006. The election will be a factor in determining Iowa's trifecta and triplex status, as Republicans currently hold both a trifecta and a triplex.

Kansas is another battleground, with Cindy Holscher (D) and Ty Masterson (R) running. Incumbent Laura Kelly (D) is term-limited, and this race is one of five Democrats defending governorships in states where President Trump won in 2024.

Michigan is also a battleground, with Jocelyn Benson (D) and John James (R) running against each other. Incumbent Gretchen Whitmer (D) is term-limited.

Nevada is another state with a divided government, with Joe Lombardo (R), Aaron Ford (D), and Danielle Ford (No Political Party) running. The state has not had a Democratic governor since 2002.

Ohio is a key battleground, with Amy Acton (D), Vivek Ramaswamy (R), and Don Kissick (L) running. Incumbent Mike DeWine (R) is term-limited, and the last Democratic governor was Ted Strickland in 2006.

Wisconsin is the final battleground, with David Crowley (D), Tom Tiffany (R), and Jamie Jo Carothers (Independent, write-in) running. Incumbent Tony Evers (D) is not seeking re-election.

Ballotpedia, the nation's most trusted source of unbiased information on politics, elections, and policy, has identified these races based on the results of the 2024 presidential election in each state, whether the incumbent was seeking re-election, whether the governor's office changed partisan control the last time it was up for election, and how race rating organizations, the Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales, rated the race.