36 states hold gubernatorial elections in 2026. See also: Swing States 2026 and Senate 2026.
Toss-up Governor Races
Four governor races are rated outright toss-ups in 2026. All involve open seats or incumbents in unfavorable terrain.
| State | Status | 2024 Pres. | Key Factor | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Open (D not running) | R+5.5 | Concurrent Senate toss-up (Gallego D) | Toss-up |
| Nevada | Lombardo (R) defending | D+3.1 | Lombardo won 2022 by 1.3pts; Harris won state in 2024 | Toss-up |
| Wisconsin | Open (D not running) | D+0.2 | Concurrent Senate toss-up (Johnson R); highest-stakes state | Toss-up |
| Michigan | Open (Whitmer term-limited) | D+1.4 | Concurrent Senate race (Peters retiring); dual-defense | Toss-up |
All Competitive Races
| State | Incumbent / Status | 2024 Pres. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Open (D) | R+5.5 | Toss-up |
| Nevada | Lombardo (R) defending | D+3.1 | Toss-up |
| Wisconsin | Open (D) | D+0.2 | Toss-up |
| Michigan | Open (D term-limited) | D+1.4 | Toss-up (Open) |
| Florida | Open (R) | R+13.2 | Likely R (Open) |
| Georgia | Open (R) | R+2.1 | Lean R (Open) |
| Ohio | Open (R) | R+11.4 | Lean R (Open) |
| Kansas | Open (D) | R+20.7 | Lean R (Open) |
| Colorado | Open (D) | D+11.0 | Lean D (Open) |
| Maine | Open (D) | D+7.0 | Lean D (Open) |
| Connecticut | Open (D) | D+12.8 | Lean D (Open) |
| New Mexico | Open (D) | D+6.9 | Lean D (Open) |
| Oregon | Kotek (D) defending | D+13.2 | Lean D |
All State Races — Directory
Frequently Asked Questions
Which governor races are competitive in 2026?
The four outright toss-up governor races in 2026 are Arizona (open), Nevada (Lombardo R defending), Wisconsin (open), and Michigan (open, Whitmer term-limited). Additionally, Georgia, Ohio, Florida, Colorado, Maine, Kansas, Connecticut, and New Mexico are rated lean races. In total, 12-13 governor races are competitive. Track all state-level polling in our Swing States 2026 tracker.
How many states have governor races in 2026?
36 states hold gubernatorial elections in 2026. Of these, approximately 10-13 are competitive. The four toss-up states (AZ, NV, WI, MI) will attract the most candidate investment and outside ad spending. Most of the other 36 states are structurally safe for the incumbent party. The full list of all 36 state races is above.
Can Democrats gain governors in 2026?
Yes. Democrats are favored in Colorado, Maine, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Oregon. The four toss-up states give Democrats a realistic path to net gains in a D+6 environment. Nevada (Lombardo defending in a Harris +3.1 state) is the most vulnerable Republican-held seat. Flipping AZ, NV, WI, and MI would represent a major shift heading into the 2030 redistricting cycle.
Why do governor races matter in 2026?
Governors control redistricting in many states, set election administration policy, and can veto or sign state legislation. The governors elected in 2026 will be in office for the 2030 redistricting cycle following the next census. Winning Wisconsin or Michigan, for example, could mean controlling congressional map-drawing for the 2030s. See Battleground Tracker for the full Senate and House context.
