Governor races split evenly with 19 open seats and key battlegrounds

Voters across the United States are heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to decide the outcome of 36 governor races. The Associated Press reports that these contests represent a critical component of the midterm elections, which determine who controls Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. The slate of governorships is currently divided evenly between the two major parties, creating a unique dynamic for this cycle.

According to Ballotpedia, Republicans hold 18 of the governor's offices on the ballot, while Democrats hold the other 18. This precise 18 to 18 split means that the national balance of power in the executive branch is effectively up for grabs. Democrats would need a net gain of two governorships to claim a nationwide majority, a position they have not held since 2010. Republicans, conversely, can afford to lose up to two seats without ceding that majority.

A defining feature of this year's gubernatorial elections is the high number of open seats. Ballotpedia notes that 19 of the 36 races have no incumbent on the ballot. Fifteen governors are term-limited, meaning they cannot seek another term. In addition, Iowa's Kim Reynolds, Minnesota's Tim Walz, and Wisconsin's Tony Evers chose not to run for reelection. Rhode Island's Daniel McKee did not make it to the general ballot after losing his primary. This lack of incumbents introduces uncertainty into races that might otherwise be predictable based on past voting patterns.

Nine states are considered battlegrounds in the governor races, according to Ballotpedia. These include Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The Associated Press identifies Texas, Florida, and Iowa as particularly competitive governor races. In these states, the outcome could swing the national balance depending on how voters respond to local and national issues.

Democrats are defending five governorships in states that Donald Trump won in the 2024 presidential election. These states include Arizona, where Katie Hobbs is running for reelection, as well as Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro is seeking to retain his seat. Republicans are defending two governorships in states that Kamala Harris won in 2024. These are New Hampshire, where Kelly Ayotte is the incumbent, and Vermont, where Phil Scott is running again.

The Associated Press highlights several specific matchups that are drawing national attention. In Georgia, Republican health care executive Rick Jackson faces Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in a race to succeed Brian Kemp. In Nevada, Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is running against Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. These contests are seen as bellwethers for the overall mood of the electorate.

In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is competing against Democrat Amy Acton. The Associated Press notes that Ramaswamy's campaign faced significant backlash over an advertisement featuring Acton's estranged mother. This incident has added a layer of complexity to a race that is already considered competitive. The AP also points to the broader context of these races, noting that Democrats hope to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades.

The mood surrounding these elections is described by the Associated Press as a referendum on Trump's second term. Voters are reported to be struggling with high prices and are angry over an unpopular war with Iran. AP-NORC polling indicates that only 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance, and about seven in 10 say the country is heading in the wrong direction. These sentiments are likely influencing how voters cast their ballots in the governor races.

Money plays a significant role in these contests, with the 2026 elections likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees, aided by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. An AP analysis of AdImpact data shows that 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This spending strategy reflects the party's focus on consolidating support in friendly areas while defending key seats.

Party leaders on both sides are emphasizing the importance of turnout. Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters stated that everything depends on turnout, asserting that if they turn out their voters, they win. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Representative Suzan DelBene countered that the American people are angry and want change. These statements capture the divergent strategies of the two parties as they compete for control of the governor's offices and, by extension, a significant amount of political power for the next two years.

As polls close across the country, the focus shifts to the logistics of the election. The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure that mail ballots are counted on time. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, a move that critics said risked disenfranchising eligible voters. The results of these 36 governor races will provide an early indication of the balance of power in the executive branch and set the tone for the remainder of the midterm election cycle.