With the Midterm Elections of 2026 upon us over the next number of days, prospects for a major gain in Democratic held Governorships seems highly likely.
Nineteen governors, 9 Democrats and 10 Republicans, are retiring, whether voluntarily, or more often, due to term limits in their states. Also, one incumbent Democrat in Rhode Island, lost renomination. So there will be at least 20 new governors, but likely more than that.
So that in itself, makes for major turnover assured.
So the following Republican held governorships are likely to go to Democratic nominees:
Florida–David Jolly
Georgia–Keisha Lance Bottoms
Iowa–Rob Sand
Ohio–Amy Acton
Texas–Gina Hinojosa
Also, the following Democratic held Governorships should remain that party:
Arizona–Katie Hobbs
California–Xavier Becerra
Colorado–Phil Weiser
Connecticut–Ned Lamont
Hawaii–Josh Green
Illinois–JB Pritzker
Maine–Hannah Pingree
Maryland–Wes Moore
Massachusetts–Maura Healey
Michigan–Jocelyn Benson
Minnesota–Amy Klobuchar
New Mexico–Deb Haaland
New York–Kathy Hochul
Pennsylvania–Josh Shapiro
Rhode Island–Helena Foulkes
Wisconsin–David Crowley
The following states have Republicans, with some chance of going Democratic:
Alabama–Doug Jones
Alaska–Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Nevada–Aaron Ford
The following Democratic Governorships seem likely to fall to the Republicans:
Kansas–Ty Masterson
Oregon–Christine Drazan
With these statistics above, it seems certain that Democrats will have the greatest number of Governorships in the past nearly two decades.
Right now, there are 26 Republican Governors, and 24 Democratic Governors.
If the numbers work out as predicted, the number of Democratic Governors would rise by up to 10 in number, making for 34 Democrats.
If that does not work out, at least 29 Democrats, or if really pessimistic, at least two or three minimum seem asssured, giving the party the majority of state governorships.
There are also 14 State Governorships that do not have elections in 2026, 7 Republicans and 7 Democrats.