In the midst of the Trump Administration being involved in massive attacks on Civil Rights, an all time record of eight African American candidates to become Governors of their states are competing in the Midterm Elections of 2026.
Only three elected Democratic Governors have ever served—Douglas Wilder in Virginia (1989-1993); Deval Patrick in Massachusetts (2007-2015); and Wes Moore, finishing his first term as Governor of Maryland (2023-2027) and seeking reelection, and rumored to be a future Presidential contender in 2028.
Additionally, New York Lieutenant Governor David Paterson succeeded to the Governorship (2008-2010), after Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned due to scandals, that marred his brief Governorship, but Patterson had corruption issues arise, and he did not run to be elected in 2010.
Several African American candidates for Governor have lost, including: Democrats Stacey Abrams in Georgia to Brian Kemp in 2018 and 2022 and Shawn Wilson in Louisiana to Jeff Landry in 2023; and Republicans Daniel Cameron in Kentucky to Andy Beshear in 2023; Mark Robinson in North Carolina to Josh Stein in 2024; and Winsome Earl-Sears in Virginia to Abigail Spanberger in 2025.
In the 2026 Midterm Elections, there are five Democrats and three Republicans running for Governor, with several believed to be likely to win.
The most likely successes will be Wes Moore, running for relection in Maryland; David Crowley in Wisconsin; Aaron Ford in Nevada; and Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia, all Democrats; and Byron Donalds, in Florida, a Republican.
Republican John James in Michigan; Democrat Jermaine Johnson in South Carolina; and Republican Lisa Demuth in Minnesota are considered long shots, unlikely to win.