Next year, several states are gearing up for competitive gubernatorial elections, which could provide insight into current voter sentiments across the country.
Michigan and Georgia are set for open races as incumbent governors Gretchen Whitmer (D) and Brian Kemp (R) face term limits. In Wisconsin, there’s some uncertainty since Governor Tony Evers (D) hasn’t declared if he will seek a third term.
On another front, current governors in Arizona and Nevada, Katie Hobbs (D) and Joe Lombardo (R), are preparing for tough re-election battles. President Trump carried all five of these states in the last election, but the political landscape might change due to potential backlash from the midterms.
Here are five key gubernatorial races to watch for 2026:
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is in the spotlight as both parties hope to see if Governor Evers will run again. Evers previously defeated incumbent Scott Walker (R) by a narrow margin in 2018 and Trump-endorsed Tim Michaels (R) by a slightly wider margin in 2022. Recent reports indicate that Evers may indeed pursue another term.
If he decides against running, speculation suggests that Ben Wickler, the Wisconsin Democratic Party chair, could enter the race. Currently, the only announced Republican candidate is Josh Scheman, the Washington County executive, although others like businessman Bill Berrien may also consider candidacies. A conservative PAC recently expressed its commitment to advancing Republican candidates.
Representative Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) is another potential contender for the seat.
Arizona
Hobbs faces a challenging re-election effort after narrowly defeating Republican Kari Lake in 2022. This time, she might go up against either developer Karin Taylor Robson or House Freedom Caucus member Andy Biggs (R-AZ), both of whom bring strong support within their party.
Trump endorsed both candidates last month; Robson, in particular, had previously secured Trump’s backing before announcing her candidacy. While Republicans have generally struggled in Arizona over recent elections, they did swing the state in their favor in 2020.
Michigan
The gubernatorial race in Michigan is heating up with Whitmer’s term limit creating an open seat. Several prominent candidates are emerging on both sides. Among the Democrats are notable figures like Lt. Col. Garling Gil Crist and Secretary of State Joseph Benson.
On the Republican side, Representative John James and former state attorney general Mike Cox are making waves. Meanwhile, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is taking a unique route, running as an independent despite previously being elected as a Democrat.
Additionally, Michigan will host a high-profile Senate race since Senator Gary Peters (D) has announced he will not seek re-election, potentially adding visibility and fundraising to the gubernatorial contest.
Nevada
Lombardo surprised many by defeating then-Governor Steve Sisolak (D) in 2022, making him the only Republican to flip a governor’s seat that year. While he maintains a positive relationship with Trump, he navigates his association with the former president cautiously.
On the Democratic side, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford seems poised to run, with Sisolak also considering a bid for his former position.
Given Nevada’s economy is heavily reliant on the service sector, it’s crucial for candidates to consistently engage with voters who frequently move in and out of the state. This dynamic will be key in assessing the overall impact of economic issues in the gubernatorial race.
Georgia
In Georgia, the governor’s race is shaping up with both parties preparing potential replacements for Kemp. On the Republican side, state Attorney General Chris Kerr is likely to announce his candidacy, and Lt. Col. Burt Jones is also expected to join the fray.
Democratic contenders include State Senator Jason Estevez and former pastor Or Brown, with former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms filing fundraising documents, albeit without an official announcement yet. Representative Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) has also shown interest but suspended her efforts due to family health concerns.
Potentially complicating matters, Stacey Abrams, who lost to Kemp in both 2018 and 2022, is considering another run, albeit facing scrutiny regarding her past involvement with a nonprofit linked to campaign violations.
Despite these concerns, an Abrams spokesperson has emphasized her disengagement from the organization since 2017.
