Republicans Expected to Retain Governorships Post-2026 Midterms
CNN senior data analyst Harry Enten recently pointed out that Republicans are likely to keep a majority of U.S. governorships after the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. He mentioned a survey suggesting that 26 Republican and 20 Democratic governors could be taking office following these elections.
Enten noted that it doesn’t appear Republicans will suffer any losses in gubernatorial races, and they might even gain additional seats in closely contested elections. “Currently, we see a 26-24 advantage for Republicans in the governor’s office,” he indicated. Although he expressed that the races are very tight, it still seems unlikely for the Republicans to lose ground.
“This should serve as a significant wake-up call for the Democratic Party,” Enten emphasized. Democrats haven’t held a majority of governorships since 2010, a stretch that marks the longest time in over a century during which they’ve held a minority. Additionally, Republicans have maintained a majority in state legislatures since 2012.
“This situation poses a considerable problem for Democrats,” he added. With so much policy-making occurring at the state level, the absence of a majority in governorships can hinder their ability to lead effectively within the executive branch.
Looking ahead, at least 21 states will see new governors by next year. Notably, in Minnesota, Democratic Gov. Tim Walz exited the race earlier this year amid scrutiny from a scandal, while Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida is stepping down due to term limits.
In the previous gubernatorial elections, Democrats achieved significant victories in Virginia and New Jersey in 2025, raising their total governorships to 24 nationwide. While Republicans are projected to hang onto the governor’s office, overall legislative polling indicates a slight edge for Democrats, who currently hold a 5-point advantage. This suggests they may be poised to secure a majority in the House.
Reports indicate that the Republican Party is well-positioned to maintain its majority in the U.S. Senate, even though 22 out of 35 Senate seats are up for re-election.
