5 things to know about the 2026 midterm elections
3. Gubernatorial races
36 of the 50 states will hold gubernatorial elections this year, with all but two electing governors to four-year terms. Vermont and New Hampshire elect their governors to two-year terms.
The RealClearPolitics average of the open gubernatorial race in Michigan shows Republican John James at 36.7%, followed by Democrat Jocelyn Benson at 32.5% and independent Mike Duggan at 20.5%. In Pennsylvania, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro leads his likely Republican challenger, Stacy Garrity, by 17.5 percentage points.
In Arizona, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs leads two of her Republican challengers, Andy Biggs and Karrin Taylor Robson, by 1.5 percentage points. In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has a lead of 1 percentage point over Democrat Amy Acton. A poll of the gubernatorial race in Texas shows Republican Gov. Greg Abbott leading Democrat Gina Hinojosa by 8 percentage points.
In Nevada, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo leads Democrat Aaron Ford by 1.5 percentage points in the RealClearPolitics average. In New Hampshire, Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has an 11-point lead over Democrat Jon Kiper. And Florida’s likely Republican gubernatorial nominee, Byron Donalds, leads both of his Democratic potential challengers by 11 points.
Republican-held governorships in Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont and Wyoming are expected to remain in the red column on Election Day.
Similarly, Democratic-held governorships in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island are expected to remain in the Democrats' hands.
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
