2026 Governor Elections (Ricky's Future Elections)

Background
The 2026 Gubernatorial Elections resulted in Democrats getting a net gain of seats over the Republicans. Donald Trump's high disapproval and the unstable economy likely caused the results of the election, with Democrats gaining 3 seats and Independent Matthew McConaughey winning the Texas governors race.

Alabama
Incumbent Governor Kay Ivey was term limited and unable to seek re-election to a third term. US Representative Mo Brooks won the Republican Primary in a narrow runoff election victory, while Ron Stewart won the Democratic Primary.

Republican Primary
Tim James, a businessman from Greenville and the son of former Alabama Governor Fob James, announced his bid during summer 2025. James had run for Governor in 2002,2010,and in 2022. However, James lost the Republican primary all 3 times. James entered the race as the frontrunner, however on January 9th, 2026 Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth announced that he would also run for Governor. The race between Ainsworth and James was intense. James had the early lead, however the polls began to get tighter when former U.S ambassador Lynda Blanchard entered the race followed by former Alabama Secretary of State John Merril. The race seemed to become a 4 way race. James lost the first primary to Ainsworth. However, neither candidate received 50% of the vote, James and Ainsworth advanced into the runoff. After an intense battle in the runoff James narrowly won the primary. Nominee Eliminated in Runoff Eliminated in Primary
 * Tim James, businessman and candidate for Governor in 2002,2010,2022
 * Will Ainsworth, Lieutenant Governor of Alabama
 * Tom Michels, construction worker
 * Walter Minnik, State Senator

Democratic Primary
Ron Stewart, a state representative announced he would run early on. Tim Hanks, a bartender from Birmingham, was his only challenger. In the Primary, Stewart Beat Hanks by a solid margin. Candidates
 * Ron Stewart, state representative
 * Tim Hanks, bartender

Alaska
Incumbent Governor Mike Dunleavy was term limited and unable to seek re-election. Nick Begich III won the election on the first round of rank choice voting, defeating former Governor Mark Walker and state Representative Les Gara, both of whom ran in 2022.

Arizona
Incumbent Governor Kari Lake ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Reuben Gallego, the United States congressman from the 3rd district. The Campaign between the two was intense, with each calling each other a 'radical'. Overall, Gallego won by a larger margin than expected, largely attributed to Lake's far right policies scaring the more moderate-conservative voters of Arizona.

Republican Primary
Lake, the incumbent was challenged by former Arizona Attorney General Mark Bronvich, who campaigned as a more moderate candidate to the far right Lake. Lake was the original favourite, having both more endorsements and fundraising money than Bronvich. However, towards the end of the campaign, Bronvich started to gain momentum. Candidates
 * Kari Lake, incumbent Governor
 * Mark Bronvich, former Arizona Attorney General

Democratic Primary
The first major candidate to announce their candidacy was Arizona Corporation Commissioner Anna Tovar. State Representative Patrick Star followed, and finally came US Representative Reuben Gallego. Businessman Tim Perry also ran, starting out as a minor candidate polling 2-3 percent, however, he gained momentum over time. Despite this, Gallego was able to easily defeat his opponents Candidates
 * Patrick Star, state representative
 * Tim Perry, businessman
 * Anna Tovar, Arizona Corporation Commissioner
 * Reuben Gallego, US Representative from Arizona's 3rd congressional district.

Arkansas
Incumbent Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders won re-election to a second term.

Republican Primary
Sarah Huckabee Sanders won the primary unopposed Candidates
 * Sarah Huckabee Sanders, incumbent Governor of Arkansas

Democratic Primary

 * Bob Tucker, farmer and candidate for AR-1 in 2024

California
Incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom was term limited. Tony Thurmond, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction defeated Kevin Kiley to win re-election.

Blanket Primary
Advanced to General Election Eliminated in Primary
 * Tony Thurmond (Democrat), California Superintendent of Public Instruction
 * Kevin Kiley (Republican), State Assemblyman
 * Eleni Kounalakis (Democrat), Lieutenant Governor of California
 * Cal Cramer (Independent), Former US Attorney for Oakland
 * Kevin Deleon (Democrat), former President Pro Tempore of the California Senate

Colorado
Incumbent Governor Jared Polis was term limited was unable to seek re-election to a third term in office. A bitter Democratic Primary between US Representative Joe Neguse and former State House Speaker Andrew Romanoff ensued, which Romanoff won. Former State House Minority leader Hugh Mckean won the Republican primary and advanced to the general election.

Republican Primary
Candidates
 * Hugh McKean, former State House Minority Leader
 * Ron Hanks, former State Representative
 * Tim Murphy, US Army Veteran and barber shop owner

Democratic Primary
US Representative Joe Neguse announced in July of 2025 that he was entering the race for Governors. A week later, Andrew Romanoff announced that he would also be running for the governorship. Dianne Primavera, the Lieutenant Governor announced in September that she would be running as well, but withdrew in February to back Neguse. The race became watched nationwide as a symbol of the progressive wing of the Democratic party against the more moderate, as progressives like Rashida Tlaib and Bernie Sanders endorsed Romanoff, whilst more moderate candidates like Polis and Kamala Harris endorsed Neguse. Candidates
 * Joe Neguse, US Representative from Colorado's 2nd Congressional District
 * Andrew Romanoff, Former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives

Connecticut
Incumbent Governor Ned Lamont chose not to run for re-election for a third term. US Representative Jahana Hayes won the Democratic nomination unopposed, whilst Roy Carson won the Republican nomination.

Republican Primary

 * Roy Carson, Radio host
 * Tim Blaine, Weatherman and candidate for Connecticut's 5th Congressional District in 2022

Democratic Primary

 * Jahana Hayes, US Representative from Connecticut's 5th Congressional district

Florida
Incumbent Governor Ron Desantis was term limited and unable to seek re-election to a third term. US Representative Maria Salazar won the Republican nomination, and State Representative Anna Eskamani won the Democratic Primary. In the general election, Salazar narrowly defeated Eskamani.

Republican Primary
The race started in November 20th, 2024 nearly 2 years before the election, when Matt Gaetz, the US Representative from Florida's 1st Congressional District, announced he would run for Governor of Florida. Early internal polls showed Gaetz behind a Generic Democratic Candidate 36-32, which made many doubt Gaetz electability. Before any other candidate announced they would enter the race, Gaetz withdrew upon privately talking to Incumbent Governor Ron Desantis and President Trump. 2 Weeks later, it would be announced that US Senator Marco Rubio would resign from the Senate to be appointed as US Ambassador to the United Nations and Desantis would appoint Gaetz as interim Senator. After Gaetz dropped out of the race, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez announced that she would run for the Governor's mansion. US Representative Maria Elvira Salazar also ran for the office, followed by former Miami mayor Francis Suarez and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. Nominee Eliminated in Primary Withdrew
 * Maria Elvira Salazar, US Representative from Florida's 27th Congressional District
 * Running Mate: Jimmy Patronis, Chief Financial Officer of Florida
 * Jeanette Nunez, Lieutenant Governor of Florida
 * Ashley Moody, Attorney General of Florida
 * Francis Suarez, former Mayor of Miami
 * Matt Gaetz, US Representative from Florida's 1st Congressional District (ran for Senate)

Democratic Primary
There was high amounts of undecided voters in the primary, largely due to the lack of strong candidates. State Representative Anna Eskamani was the only candidate in the running to have prior political experience, which allowed her to easily win the primary, although with record low turnout. Nominee Eliminated during primary
 * Anna Eskamani, State Representative
 * Running Mate: Will Fisher, State Representative
 * Park Lee, Activist
 * Clair Miller, Buisnesswoman
 * Chris Fryer, US Army Veteran and Casino Owner
 * David Leonardman, New Anchor

Georgia
Incumbent Governor Brian Kemp was term limited and unable to seek re-election. 2014 Gubernatorial Nominee Jason Carter won the Democratic nomination and defeated Chris Carr, the Georgia Attorney General.

Republican Primary
The Republican nomination contained 3 very well established candidates going against each other. On April 15thh 2025, former State Representative Vernon Jones entered the race, followed by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, who became the immediate frontrunner. During February of 2026, former US Senator Kelly Loeffler announced she would be entering the race. In the primary, Carr won an outright majority, avoiding a runoff Nominee Eliminated in Primary
 * Chris Carr, Georgia State Attorney General
 * Vernon Jones, former State Representative
 * Kelly Loeffler, former US Senator

Democratic Primary
Initially, many top Democrats announced they would run for Governor, including former Senator Raphael Warnock, and 2018 and 2022 Gubernatorial Nominee Stacey Abrams. However both dropped out of the race to make way for Carter, who won the Democratic primary unopposed. Nominee Withdrew
 * Jason Carter, former State Senator and Nominee for Governor in 2014
 * Raphael Warnock, former US Senator
 * Stacey Abrams, former Georgia House Minority Leader and Nominee for Governor in 2018 and 2022

Hawaii
Incumbent Governor Josh Green defeated Josh Green won re-election to a second term, defeating BJ Penn in a rematch of the 2022 Gubernatorial elections.

Governor
Nominee Eliminated from Primary
 * BJ Penn, martial arts fighter and nominee for Governor in 2022
 * Larissa Kerry, Buisnesswoman
 * Jeff Waters, buisnessman

Lieutenant Governor
Nominee
 * Huey Shea-Porter, realtor

Governor
Nominee Eliminated at Primary
 * Josh Green, incumbent Governor
 * George Currey, perennial candidate

Lieutenant Governor
Nominee
 * Iaka Anderson, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii
 * Kai Kahele, former US Representative from Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District and candidate for Governor of Hawaii in 2022

Republican Primary
Nominee
 * Russ Fulcher, US Representative from Idaho's first congressional district

Democratic Primary
Nominee
 * Hailey Fields, state senator

Illinois
Incumbent Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker won re-election to a third term, narrowly defeating former US Representative Rodney Davis in a stunning upset. Davis' strong performance was attributed to his moderate stances and Pritzker's low approval ratings.

Republican Primary
The top two candidates in the primary included former US Representative Rodney Davis and Sarah Harmon, a pro life activist and businesswoman. Harmon was criticized for being too unelectable, as she was very far right and unable to win an election in the very liberal state. Despite this, Davis only narrowly won the Republican nomination, making many doubt his chances in the general election due to his low appeal towards rural conservatives. Nominee Eliminated Primary
 * Rodney Davis, former US Representative from Illinois' 13th Congressional District
 * Sarah Harmon, Pro Life Activist
 * Anne Wolworth, businesswoman
 * Randy Drake, former State Senator

Democratic Primary
Nominee
 * J.B. Pritzker, incumbent Governor of Illinois

Iowa
Incumbent Governor Kim Reynolds won re-election to a third term, defeating former US Representative Abby Finkenauer.

Republican Primary
Nominee
 * Kim Reynolds, incumbent Governor of Iowa

Democratic Primary
Nominee
 * Abby Finkenauer, former US Representative from Iowa's 1st Congressional District and candidate for the Senate in 2022

Kansas
Incumbent Governor Derek Schmidt won re-election to a second term, narrowly defeating Democrat Paul Davis, the nominee for Governor in 2014.

Republican Primary
Derek Schmidt won the primary unoppossed Nominee
 * Derek Schmidt, incumbent Governor of Kansas

Democratic Primary
Nominee Eliminated in Primary
 * Paul Davis, former minority leader of the Kansas house of representatives, Nominee for Governor in 2014 and Kansas' 2nd Congressional District in 2018
 * Jeff Kander, State Senator
 * Peter Freeman, buisnessman
 * Elaine Stauber, State Representative

Maine
Incumbent Governor Janet Mills was unable to run for re-election to a third term. Former US Representative Jared Golden won the Democratic nomination, while state Senator Don Paxton won the Republican nomination. in the general election, Golden defeated Paxton in a landslide, largely due to his crossover appeal.

Republican
Nominee
 * Don Paxton, state Senator
 * Howard Lee, state Senator

Democratic Primary
Nominee
 * Jared Golden, US Representative from Maine's 2nd Congressional District

Maryland
Incumbent Governor Tom Perez won re-election to a second term, defeating Kelly Schulz in a rematch of the 2022 election.

Republican Primary

 * Kelly Schulz, former Maryland secretary of commerce and nominee for Governor in 2022

Democratic

 * Tom Perez, incumbent Governor of Maryland

Massacheusetts
Incumbent Governor Maura Healy won re-election to a second term, defeating State Representative Scott Harrison. This is the only election that Harrison lost in his career.

Republican Primary
Nominee Eliminated in Primary
 * Scott Harrison, State Representative
 * Jerry Kilden, State Senator
 * Henry Seymour, TV Star and Buisnessman

Democratic Primary
Nominee Did not Qualify
 * Maura Healy, incumbent Governor of Massachusetts
 * Fred Bainer, Perennial Candidate

Michigan
Incumbent Governor Gretchen Whitmer could not run for re-election due to term limits. US Representative Peter Meijer won the Republican nomination, whilst Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel won the Democratic Nomination. In the general election, Meijer won in an upset, as most polls had Nessel leading. Meijer's victory denied the national trends, as Democrats did well nationally, however Republicans did unexpectedly well across Michigan, also flipping the Senate Race.

Republican Primary
Nominee Eliminated in Primary Withdrew
 * Peter Meijer, US Representative from Michigan's 3rd Congressional District
 * James Craig, former Chief of the Detroit Police Department and candidate for Governor in 2022
 * Tudor Nixon, media personality and nominee for Governor in 2022
 * Steven Crowder, political commentator and nominee for the Senate in 2024 (endorsed Nixon)

Democratic Primary
Nominee Eliminated in Primary'
 * Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General
 * Garlin Gilchrist, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan

Minnesota
Incumbent Governor Tim Walz decided to retire instead of running for re-election. Keith Ellison won the Democratic Primary, while businessman Mike Lindell won the Republican nomination unopposed. The election was originally competitive, with Lindell originally leading in some polls. However, Ellison won by double digits.

Republican Primary
Nominee
 * Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow and buisnessman
 * Running Mate: Julie Rosen, former State Senator

Democratic Primary
Nominee Eliminated at Primary
 * Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General and former United States Representative from Minnesota's 5th Congressional District
 * Running mate: Steve Simon, Minnesota Secretary of State
 * Dean Phillips, United State's Representative from Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District
 * Running Mate: Luke Frederick, State Representative
 * Melissa Hortman, Speaker of the Minnesota house of Representatives
 * Running Mate: Melvin Carter III, mayor of Saint Paul

Nebraska
Incumbent Governor Jim Pillen won re-election to a second term

Republican Primary

 * Jim Pillen, incumbent Governor of Nebraska
 * Running Mate: Jim Tinker, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska
 * Charles Herbster, buisnessman and candidate for Governor in 2022

Democratic Primary
Nominee Results Blue was unopposed for the nomination.
 * George Blue, farmer

Nevada
Incumbent Governor Joe Lombardo sought re-election to a second term. The Democratic Governor's Association announced early on that Nevada would be their most heavily targeted seat. This was likely due to Nevada only narrowly going to President Desantis in 2024. Aaron Ford, the state Attorney General, was the Democratic nominee and the early favourite to challenge Lombardo. Most polls showed Lombardo losing by double digits, and FiveThirteyEight even projected the race as "Likley Democrat". Despite this, Lombardo won re-election by a larger margin than he did in 2022, winning a majority of the vote. Altough Lombardo did worse in the rural areas, he increased support in his home county Clark County, home of Las Vegas and majority of the State's population.

Republican Primary
After Lombardo announced his re-election campaign, former Congressman Crescent Hardy announced he would challenge Lombardo. The campaign between the two was bitter and competitive, with Lombardo calling Hardy "an establishment pig", while Hardy calling Lombardo a "Far Right Douchebag". Towards the end of the campaign, Hardy lead in a poll 44-40. Despite this, Lombardo ended up winning more than 2-1 against Hardy, who later retired from politics. Nominee Eliminated in Primary Declined
 * Joe Lombardo, incumbent Governor
 * Crescent Hardy, former United States Representative from Nevada's 4th congressional district
 * Joey Gilbert, attorney and candidate for Governor in 2022 (previously filed paperwork)

Democratic Primary
The Democratic Primary was heavily contested and controversial between two well known candidates. Zach Conine, the Nevada State Treasurer was behind in the early polls, but later caught up to Ford. In the end, Ford lead Conine by 126 votes, or 0.00018% of the popular vote. This narrow margin caused a recount, which expanded Ford's lead to 132 votes, following which Conine conceded the race. Nominee Eliminated in Primary
 * Aaron Ford, Nevada Attorney General
 * Zach Conine, Nevada State Treasurer
 * Susan Wells, State Assemblyman