In February, the filing deadline passed in five states: Ohio (Feb. 4), Indiana (Feb 6), Louisiana (Feb. 13), Maryland (Feb 24), and Idaho (Feb. 27). Across these five states, 23 seats are up for election.
In Ohio, every single state executive office is open, while in Indiana, Maryland, and Idaho, every incumbent is seeking re-election. In Louisiana, two state executives are retiring, while another is running for a full term after being appointed.
In Ohio:
- Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is term-limited and is not seeking another office.
- Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel (R) is not seeking another office.
- Attorney General Dave Yost (R) is term-limited and is not seeking another office.
- Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) is term-limited and is running for state auditor
- Auditor of Public Accounts Keith Faber (R) is term-limited and is not seeking another office.
- Treasurer Robert Sprague (R) is term-limited and is running for attorney general.
In Louisiana:
- Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta (R) is term-limited. He ran for U.S. Senate, but withdrew and is not seeking another office.
- Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell (D) is term-limited and is not seeking another office.
As a result of these retirements, the total of state executives retiring in 2026 is now four Democrats and nineteen Republicans. This includes officials from three other states. This includes:
- Five members of a state board of education
- Three lieutenant governors
- Three attorney generals
- Three secretaries of state
- Two governors
- Two public utility commissioners
- One agriculture commissioner
- One auditor
- One commissioner of lands
- One comptroller
- One treasurer
Of these retiring state executives, 14 are retiring from public office, and nine are running for another office.