The number of women in leadership positions, both Republican and Democrat, is on the rise as more women prepare to run for state governorships in the upcoming 2025 and 2026 elections.
This November promises to be historic for Virginia, where Lt. Col. Winsam Earl Sears (R) and former legislator Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) are set to become the state’s first female governors. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, Rep. Mikie Sheryl (D-N.J.) is campaigning to be the state’s second female governor.
Incumbent female governors, such as New York’s Kathy Hochul (D) and Arkansas’s Sarah Sanders (R), are seeking reelection, while other contenders—like Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and ex-Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms—aim to secure their first governorships.
Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University, remarked, “We absolutely see the strong potential for additional female governors in Virginia and New Jersey, which would set a real record.”
In January, 14 women served as governors nationwide, but that number shrank to 12 when Delaware’s Gov. Matt Meyer (D) took office following a brief tenure by Bethany Hall Long (D). Similarly, Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem left her position as South Dakota’s governor during the confirmation process in Washington.
As of now, 40 women, some incumbents, have either announced or filed their candidacies for governor ahead of the 2026 cycle, according to CAWP.
Among those stepping up are Blackburn and Bottoms, both of whom bring legislative and local leadership experience. In South Carolina, Rep. Nancy Mace (R) and Lt. Col. Pamela Evett (R) are vying for a prominent role in a crowded Republican primary. Not to be overlooked, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) and Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacey Garity (R) are notable candidates for their parties.
In New York, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) will challenge Hochul after rising through the Republican ranks since being elected to Congress in 2014. Arizona’s Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) is also running for reelection next year, having previously served as Secretary of State.
Walsh noted, “This is the evolution of female candidates. They are establishing their records as elected officials, and this is the next logical step for them.”
She pointed out that it is more common for men to enter executive political offices without prior experience, contrasting it to the situation for women. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) exemplifies this; he previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Germany and as the national finance committee chair for the Democratic National Committee.
Walsh commented, “We don’t see that often with women. They need to put in the work.”
A 2023 Pew Survey indicated that many Americans believe women in politics must prove themselves more than their male counterparts, with 54% agreeing that women have to work harder. Additionally, 47% noted that women often receive less support from party leaders.
Meghan Meehan Draper, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), mentioned that when the DGA began back in 2018, there was a male governor, John, rather than a female counterpart.
The DGA initiated the Women’s Governors Fund in 2018, aiming to help elect more Democratic women to governorships, having invested over $80 million in the past seven years.
“More efforts are on the horizon. The Women’s Governors Fund will continue to support candidates like Miki Sheryl and Abigail Spanberger in New Jersey and Virginia,” Draper said.
Interestingly, many of the women running in 2025 and 2026 share backgrounds in national security and law enforcement. Spanberger, for instance, worked as an intelligence officer in the CIA, while Earl Sears has a military background. Sheryl is a Navy veteran, and Garity is a retired Army Reserve Colonel.
Walsh stated, “It’s difficult to question a candidate’s toughness if they have military experience,” adding that having served as state attorney general can also be advantageous for those seeking the governorship. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy (D) is a prime example.
However, there remains a significant disparity in the number of male versus female governors. Across the U.S., only 51 have served as governors, with three more from U.S. territories and two from Washington, D.C.
“This highlights the challenges we’ve faced in electing a female president as well,” Walsh remarked. “Stereotypes still endure regarding who is deemed fit for leadership roles.”
She suggested that many voters associate women with teamwork and collaboration rather than the decisive leadership required of a CEO. “When people think of women, they often envision them in supportive roles, working well together in Congress, rather than making tough unilateral decisions,” she explained.
