The Importance of 2026 Governorship Elections in the US Midterm Landscape

Most of the focus ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections has centered on the contest for control of the United States Congress.

However, important state-level races are also taking place, with far‑reaching implications for the nation’s future.

This year, voters in 36 states will elect their next governor, the most powerful elected official in each state.

An unusually high share of these contests feature open seats, with no incumbent governor on the ballot seeking re‑election.

In 19 of the races, the incumbent is either term‑limited—such as California Democrat Gavin Newsom—or has chosen not to run again, as with Iowa Republican Kim Reynolds.

This historic turnover creates the potential for several states to experience significant changes in leadership.

Here are several reasons why these races matter:

A state’s chief executive

Governors act as the chief executives of their states, overseeing the departments and agencies that deliver public services.

Their authority varies by state, but generally includes proposing budgets, appointing senior state officials, directing agencies on the enforcement of existing laws, and issuing executive orders.

They may also sign bills passed by the state legislature into law or veto them.

One of their most visible areas of influence is reproductive rights. After the US Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that there is no constitutional right to abortion, state governments have taken a central role in determining the legality of the procedure.

Each state may now regulate abortion within its borders, and 13 state legislatures have enacted complete or near‑total bans.

However, the Guttmacher Institute, a US‑based reproductive‑rights organization, noted that roughly a dozen governors have issued executive orders to mitigate the effects of such bans.

“By issuing executive orders, governors can swiftly grant immediate protections for providers and patients,” the Institute said. “This proved especially useful in states like North Carolina, where the governor backs abortion rights despite a legislature that does not.”

Governors can also influence the administration of United States elections.

In some states, governors appoint election officials, whereas in others those officials are elected independently. Governors may also sign or veto legislation altering voting rules, thereby exerting significant influence over election administration.

Challenging the US government

Governors also help shape how states respond to the federal government.

They may challenge federal policies in court or negotiate with Washington on funding and program requirements.

State governments also play a major role in implementing federally funded programmes, making cooperation between governors and the White House essential.

One example arose after former US President Barack Obama’s landmark healthcare policy, the Affordable Care Act, was passed by Congress in 2010.

In the aftermath of its passage, many governors could decide whether their states adopted the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, an insurance programme for low‑income households.

Some governors, such as Steve Beshear of Kentucky and Earl Ray Tomblin of West Virginia, issued executive orders in 2013 to adopt Medicaid expansion without legislative approval.

Others, such as Florida’s then‑Governor Rick Scott, opposed Medicaid expansion and directed the state legislature not to adopt it. Although Scott later withdrew his opposition and now serves as a US senator, the Republican‑led Florida legislature did not advance a bill to adopt the expansion.

Future presidential candidates

As state chief executives, governors have a unique platform to showcase their political talents.

Many use their governorships as a springboard to the nation’s highest office, the presidency.

At least 17 former US presidents—including Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush—served as governors before assuming the presidency.

However, some governors see their presidential ambitions curtailed by backlash to their state‑level policies.

The Eagleton Institute of Politics estimates that only 53 percent of presidential nominees who were former governors ultimately won their races.

During the 2016 presidential election cycle, New Jersey governor Chris Christie, for example, sought the Republican Party’s nomination.

He withdrew from the race in February of that year amid criticism of several actions taken during his governorship.

His New Jersey administration was still reeling from the Bridgegate scandal, which alleged that a major roadway was closed to punish the mayor of a nearby city.

Additionally, some Republicans criticized the manner in which Christie greeted President Obama, a Democrat, during his visit to New Jersey in October 2012 amid Hurricane Sandy.

Setting the stage for 2028

This year’s midterm races are expected to set the stage for the 2028 presidential election.

Several outgoing governors are among the likely candidates. Newsom, who has served as California’s governor since 2019, is barred from seeking a third term this year.

Instead, he is widely regarded as a frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic nomination, having positioned himself as a vocal critic of Republican President Donald Trump.

Other potential Democratic contenders are also engaged in re‑election campaigns this midterm cycle, which could serve as previews for future presidential bids. They include Wes Moore of Maryland and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania.

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