Tag: gubernatorial election
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Two states have veto-proof majorities opposite their governor's party — that could change this year
Heading into the 2026 elections, there are two states with a governor of one party and a veto-proof state legislative majority of the opposing party: Kansas and Kentucky. At least one legislative chamber is up for election this year in both states, meaning their veto-proof majority status could change. Voters in Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina,…
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Victor Marx defeated three other candidates in the Republican primary for governor of Colorado on June 30, 2026
Victor Marx (R) defeated Scott Bottoms (R), Barbara Kirkmeyer (R), and Kelvin Wimberly (write-in) in the Republican primary for governor of Colorado on June 30, 2026. Incumbent Gov. Jared Polis (D) was term-limited. Bottoms, Kirkmeyer, and Marx led in fundraising and media attention. Axios Denver's John Frank wrote that the candidates were ideologically divided. Frank…
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Incumbent Larry Rhoden and Toby Doeden advance to first-ever primary runoff for South Dakota governor
On June 2, incumbent Larry Rhoden and Toby Doeden advanced to a Republican primary runoff on July 28. Neither received the 35% of the vote required to win the primary outright. As of June 3, Doeden received 31% of the vote, Rhoden 25%, Dusty Johnson 23%, and Jon Hansen 21%. This was the first time…
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Three Democrats compete for Michigan's open governor's seat as Whitmer's term-limited exit looms
Three candidates—Jocelyn Benson, Chris Swanson, and Kim Thomas—are running in the Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan on August 4, 2026. Benson and Swanson lead in polling, fundraising, and media attention ahead of the primary. Incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) is term-limited, leaving the office open in 2026. The Associated Press' Joey Cappelletti wrote that…
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Michael Bennet and Phil Weiser running in Democratic primary for governor of Colorado on June 30
Michael Bennet and Phil Weiser are running in the Democratic primary for governor of Colorado on June 30. Incumbent Jared Polis (D) is term-limited. Bennet, a U.S. senator from Colorado, and Weiser, the state's attorney general, have made resisting President Donald Trump (R) and affordability central to their campaigns. On resisting Trump, both have accused…
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Sixty-one candidates are running in the top-two primary for governor of California on June 2, 2026
Sixty-one candidates are running in the top-two primary for governor of California on June 2, 2026. Xavier Becerra (D), Matt Mahan (D), Katie Porter (D), Thomas Steyer (D), Eric Swalwell (D), Antonio Villaraigosa (D), Chad Bianco (R), and Steve Hilton (R) lead in polling and media attention. Incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is term-limited. There…
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Both gubernatorial and U.S.Senate elections are happening in 26 states in 2026
Elections for both the governor and the U.S. Senate are happening in 26 states on Nov. 3, 2026. This count includes Florida and Ohio, where special elections for the U.S. Senate are happening alongside gubernatorial elections. The gubernatorial elections in 16 states are open either due to term limits or because the incumbent is retiring.…
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Incumbent Larry Rhoden, Toby Doeden, Jon Hansen, and Dusty Johnson are running in the Republican primary for governor of South Dakota on June 2
Incumbent Larry Rhoden, Toby Doeden, Jon Hansen, and Dusty Johnson are running in the Republican primary for governor of South Dakota on June 2, 2026. If no candidate wins 35% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will advance to a July 28, 2026, runoff election. Rhoden was formerly lieutenant governor and replaced former Gov.…
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A look at gubernatorial battlegrounds in 2026
Thirty-six states are holding elections for governor in 2026. Of those, Ballotpedia has identified seven as general election battlegrounds: These battleground races were selected using the following criteria. For more information on our methodology, click here: In addition to the competitiveness data above, races were included if they were particularly compelling or meaningful to the…
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Tim Walz (D) is the second governor to run for a consecutive third term in 2026
On September 16, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) announced that he would seek a third consecutive term as governor in 2026. This makes him the second governor to do so after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D), who announced his plans back in June. In July, Ballotpedia covered the number of governors eligible to run for…