2026 United States gubernatorial elections

Going into the election, there are 26 Republican governors and 24 Democratic governors in the United States. This class of governors is made up of 18 Republicans and 18 Democrats. Republicans are defending two governorships in states that Kamala Harris won in 2024 (New Hampshire and Vermont). Democrats are defending five governorships in states that Donald Trump won in 2024 (Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin).

As of March 2026, five governors—three Democrats, one Republican, and one Independent—have announced they will not seek reelection.

Several sites and individuals published predictions of competitive seats. These predictions looked at factors such as the strength of the incumbent (if the incumbent was running for reelection) and the other candidates, and the state's partisan lean (reflected in part by the state's Cook Partisan Voting Index rating). The predictions assigned ratings to each seat, indicating the predicted advantage that a party had in winning that seat. Most election predictors used:

• "tossup": no advantage
• "tilt" (used by some predictors): advantage that is not quite as strong as "lean"
• "lean": slight advantage
• "likely": significant, but surmountable, advantage
• "safe" or "solid": near-certain chance of victory

Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, was re-elected in 2022 with 67.4% of the vote. She will be term-limited by the Constitution of Alabama in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive full term. Republican U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville entered the gubernatorial race in May 2025, joined by former candidate for Alabama's 6th congressional district in 2024 Ken McFeeters^[13] and event center operations manager Will Santivasci.^[153]

Democratic candidates include former U.S. Senator Doug Jones; the 2022 gubernatorial nominee Yolanda Flowers; Will Boyd, a former city councilor of Greenville, Illinois, and the nominee for Alabama Lieutenant Governor in 2018 and for U.S. Senate in 2022; pastor Ja'Mel Brown; candidate for governor in 2022 Chad Chig Martin;^[12] and former state representative Nathan Mathis.^[153]

Should Jones and Tuberville win their respective primaries, the gubernatorial election will be a rematch of the 2020 United States Senate election, which saw Tuberville defeat Jones.

Governor Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, was re-elected in 2022 with 50.3% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the Constitution of Alaska in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.

Republican candidates include former state senator Click Bishop;^[15] Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom;^[15] Matanuska-Susitna Borough mayor Edna DeVries;^[20] former state Attorney General Treg Taylor;^[27] former commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue Adam Crum;^[19] state senator Shelley Hughes;^[24] businesswoman Bernadette Wilson^[15]; former Anchorage mayor Dave Bronson;^[17] and Matt Heliala, a member of the Alaska State Medical Board.^[23]

For the Democrats, Tom Begich, a former state senator who was the Democratic leader in the State Senate, has announced a campaign, as has District H state senator Matt Claman and former state representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.^[14][18][25]

Despite filing to run for her former House seat,^[154] former Democratic U.S. Representative Mary Peltola also considered a gubernatorial bid,^[155][156] but in January announced a campaign for Alaska's U.S. Senate seat in 2026.^[157]

Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, was elected in 2022 with 50.3% of the vote. Starting with this election cycle, gubernatorial candidates will be required to nominate a running mate for the newly established office of Lieutenant Governor. Hobbs is running for re-election to a second term^[158] and is the presumptive nominee, as no other candidates successfully filed for the Democratic primary.^[159]

U.S. Representatives from Arizona's 5th congressional district Andy Biggs^[160] and Arizona's 1st congressional district David Schweikert,^[161] as well as business owner Ken Miceli^[159] and concrete plumbing contractor Scott Neely^[162] are running in the Republican primary.

Former Democratic state representative Leezah Sun and health care entrepreneur Hugh Lytlehas have announced a campaigns as independents.^[29]

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...

Arkansas gubernatorial election

← 2022 2030 →

Nominee Sarah Huckabee Sanders Fredrick Love Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders Republican

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Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, was elected in 2022 with 63.1% of the vote. She is seeking re-election to a second term and ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.^[163]

State senator Fredrick Love^[164] defeated former Walmart executive Supha Xayprasith Mays^[165] in the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026.^[166]

Farmer Colt Shelby is running in the general election as a Libertarian.^[167]

Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom was re-elected in 2022 with 59.2% of the vote. He is term-limited by the California Constitution in 2026, and cannot seek re-election to a third term. There are currently over sixty candidates appearing on the June 2026 primary ballot.^[168]

Democratic candidates include former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra;^[169] San Jose mayor Matt Mahan;^[170] former congresswoman for California's 47th congressional district Katie Porter;^[171] businessman and 2020 presidential candidate Tom Steyer;^[172] State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond;^[173] and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.^[174]

U.S. representative Eric Swalwell initially announced a campaign in November 2025, but withdrew and resigned from Congress in April 2026 amid sexual assault allegations, with his name still on the ballot.^[175][176] Former state Controller Betty Yee also withdrew from the race in April 2026 and will remain on the ballot.^[177][178]

Former Vice President of the United States and 2024 Democratic nominee for President Kamala Harris had considered running,^[179] but ultimately decided not to enter the race.^[180]

Republican candidates include Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco,^[181] political commentator Steve Hilton,^[182] and businessman Leo Zacky.^[183]

Butch Ware, the Green Party's 2024 vice presidential nominee, announced his candidacy but did not meet the requirements to appear on the primary ballot and is instead running as a write-in candidate.^[184]

Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, was re-elected in 2022 with 58.5% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the Colorado Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.

U.S. Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet and State Attorney General Phil Weiser have each announced their candidacy for the Democratic nomination.^[33][38]

On the Republican side, state representative Scott Bottoms, state senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, and Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell have all announced campaigns.^{[34][35][185]}

Former U.S. Representative for Colorado's 4th congressional district Greg Lopez initially announced his campaign as a Republican but later left the party in January 2026 and is continuing his campaign as an independent.^[186][36]

Governor Ned Lamont, a Democrat, was re-elected in 2022 with 56% of the vote. Because Connecticut does not have gubernatorial term limits in its Constitution, Lamont has announced that he is running for a third term.^[41] State representative for the 88th district Josh Elliott has announced that he is challenging Lamont in the Democratic primary.^[39]

State senator for the 36th district Ryan Fazio,^[40] former lieutenant governor of New York Betsy McCaughey^[187] and New Britain mayor Erin Stewart^[43] have announced their candidacies for the Republican nomination.

Republican Governor Ron DeSantis was re-elected in 2022 with 59.4% of the vote. He is term-limited by the Florida Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.

U.S. representative for Florida's 19th congressional district Byron Donalds announced his candidacy on February 25, 2025, becoming the first major Republican to enter the race.^[44] Paul Renner, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, announced his candidacy in September 2025, and Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins joined the race in January 2026.^[51][45] Other Republican candidates include Surfside mayor Charles Burkett and entrepreneur James Fishback.^[44][48] There is also speculation that current First Lady of Florida Casey DeSantis might launch a bid to succeed her husband.^[188]

Former Republican U.S. representative for Florida's 13th congressional district David Jolly, a staunch critic of Trump, joined the Democratic Party in 2025 and announced his candidacy June 2025.^[49] Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is also running for the Democratic nomination.^[46]

Former State Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo launched an independent bid for governor in May 2025,^[50] while Moliere Dimanche announced his own independent campaign in July 2024, becoming the first Haitian candidate for governor in Florida's history.^[189]

Republican Governor Brian Kemp was re-elected in 2022 with 53.4% of the vote. He is term-limited by the Georgia Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.

Attorney General Chris Carr,^[190] Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones,^[191] and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger^[192] have announced bids for the Republican nomination.

On the Democratic side, former state senator Jason Esteves,^[193] former Mayor of Atlanta and former director of the White House Office of Public Engagement Keisha Lance Bottoms,^[194] former DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer and 2010 nominee for U.S. Senate Mike Thurmond^[195], and state representative Derrick Jackson have all announced campaigns.^[196] Former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, a Republican critic of Donald Trump, has switched to the Democratic Party and is running for governor.^[197]

Governor Josh Green, a Democrat, was elected in 2022 with 63.2% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election, but has not yet stated if he will do so.

Governor Brad Little, a Republican, was re-elected in 2022 with 60.5% of the vote. Because Idaho does not have gubernatorial term limits in its Constitution, he is running for re-election to a third term.^[198]

Attorney Terri Pickens, who was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2022, is running for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.^[199]

Former Twin Falls Transit Coordinator Maxine Durand is running as an independent, with the backing of local branches of the Democratic Socialists of America.^[200]

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...

2026 Illinois gubernatorial election

← 2022 2030 →

Nominee JB Pritzker Darren Bailey Party Democratic Republican Running mate Christian Mitchell Aaron Del Mar

Incumbent Governor JB Pritzker Democratic

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Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, was re-elected in 2022 with 54.9% of the vote and is running for a third term.^[54] With Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton seeking Illinois's U.S. Senate seat in 2026, Pritzker's running mate is former state representative Christian Mitchell.^[201] Pritzker won the Democratic nomination unopposed.

On the Republican side, former state senator and 2022 Republican nominee for governor Darren Bailey secured the nomination against former vice president of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute Ted Dabrowski, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, and real estate developer Rick Heidner.^[54]

Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, was re-elected in 2022 with 58.1% of the vote. While she is eligible to run for re-election to a third full term, she has decided not to run.^[202]

Republican candidates include state representative Eddie Andrews,^[203] U.S. Representative for Iowa's 4th congressional district Randy Feenstra,^[204] former director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services Adam Steen^[205], farmer Zach Lahn,^[206] and former state representative Brad Sherman.^[207]

On the Democratic side, State Auditor Rob Sand declared his candidacy in May 2025 and is the presumptive nominee, as the only candidate to file by the deadline. He is also the only Democratic statewide officeholder in Iowa.^[208]

Governor Laura Kelly, a Democrat, was re-elected in 2022 with 49.5% of the vote. She will be term limited by the Kansas Constitution and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.

State senators Ethan Corson^[59] and Cindy Holscher^[61] are running for the Democratic nomination, with Corson receiving Governor Kelly's endorsement.^[209] Teacher Marty Tuley is also running.^[210] U.S. Representative from Kansas's 3rd congressional district Sharice Davids has expressed interest in mounting a campaign.^[211]

Candidates for the Republican nomination include former Governor Jeff Colyer, State Senate President Ty Masterson, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, and Johnson County Commissioner Charlotte O'Hara.^[58][67][63]

Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, was re-elected in 2022 with 55.4% of the vote. She will be term-limited by the Maine Constitution, and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.

Democratic candidates include Secretary of State Shenna Bellows;^[212] former State Senate President Troy Jackson;^[213] businessman Angus King III, the son of independent U.S. Senator and former Maine governor Angus King;^[214] former State House Speaker Hannah Pingree, the daughter of U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree;^[215] and former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention principal deputy director Nirav Shah.^[216]

On the Republican side, candidates include healthcare executive and member of the Bush family Jonathan Bush;^[217] former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Robert Charles;^[218] real estate businessman David Jones;^[219] state senator and candidate for governor in 2002 James Libby;^[220] former Maine Senate majority leader and candidate for governor in 2018 Garrett Mason;^[221] entrepreneur Owen McCarthy;^[222] businessman Ben Midgley;^[223] and former Paris selectman Robert Wessels.^[224]

Two state legislators have left their parties to seek the Blaine House as independents: state senator Rick Bennett, formerly a Republican, and state representative Ed Crockett, formerly a Democrat.^[70][71] Environmental scientist and activist John Glowa and ^[72] Derek Levasseur, a former law enforcement officer are also running as independents.^[73]

Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat, was elected in 2022 with 64.5% of the vote. He is running for re-election to a second term.^[225] Moore is being challenged in the Democratic primary by physician Eric Felber.^[226]

A number of Republicans are vying for the party's nomination: businessman Carl Brunner,^[227] former state delegate and 2022 nominee Dan Cox,^[228] businessman Ed Hale,^[229] and John Myrick, a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024, have announced their candidacies for governor.^[230]

Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, was elected in 2022 with 63.7% of the vote. Healey is running for re-election for a second term in office.^[75]

On the Republican side, businessman Mike Minogue, and former chief administrator and acting general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Brian Shortsleeve have announced their candidacies.^{[231][78][79]}

Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer was re-elected in 2022 with 54.5% of the vote. She is term-limited by the Michigan Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third term.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genessee County Sheriff Chris Swanson have announced campaigns for the Democratic nomination.^[232][233] Marni Sawicki, the former mayor of Cape Coral, Florida, who moved to Michigan in 2021, has also announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination.^[234]

Former Attorney General Mike Cox; Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt; former speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives nominee for attorney general in 2018, and 2022 candidate Tom Leonard; businessman, 2022 candidate for governor and 2024 candidate for president Perry Johnson; and U.S. Representative for Michigan's 10th congressional district John James have announced bids for the Republican nomination.^{[235][236][237][238]} William Null, who was acquitted for charges relating to the Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot, has also announced his run.^[239]

Detroit mayor Mike Duggan, a former Democrat, announced his intention to run for governor as an independent in December 2024.^[81]

Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, was re-elected in 2022 with 52.3% of the vote. He initially announced a campaign for a third term, but later withdrew his candidacy in January 2026.^[3] Minnesota does not have gubernatorial term limits in its Constitution.^[240] Since the adoption of four-year terms in 1962,^[m] no Minnesota governor has won a third term.

Following Walz's announcement, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced a campaign on January 29, 2026.^[87] U.S. representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district Kelly Morrison, and Minnesota Senate majority leader and 2018 candidate for governor Erin Murphy are considered potential candidates.^[242]

Republican candidates include State House Speaker Lisa Demuth,^[85] state representative Peggy Bennett,^[84] My Pillow CEO and conservative activist Mike Lindell,^[90] former mixed martial artist Brad Kohler,^[243] food company CEO Patrick Knight,^[244] and healthcare technology executive Kendall Qualls.^[92]

Governor Jim Pillen, a Republican, was elected in 2022 with 59.7% of the vote. He is running for re-election to a second term.^[245] He is being challenged in the Republican primary by medicinal cannabis activist Jacy Todd.^[246]

Former state senator and 2018 Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor Lynne Walz is running.^[247]

Governor Joe Lombardo, a Republican, was elected in 2022 with 48.8% of the vote and is running for re-election to a second term in office.^[248] Businesswoman Irina Hansen, who ran for Mayor of Las Vegas in 2024, is challenging Lombardo in the GOP primary.^[249]

State attorney general Aaron D. Ford and Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill are running for the Democratic nomination.^[250][251]

Governor Kelly Ayotte, a Republican who was elected in 2024 with 53.6% of the vote, has not stated whether she will run for re-election yet. New Hampshire elects its governors on a two-year cycle.

For the Democrats, former executive councilor Cinde Warmington,^[96] who ran for the 2024 Democratic gubernatorial nomination, is running again in 2026.

Businessman Jon Kiper, who initially entered the race as an Independent, entered the Democratic primary in September 2025 but later opted to run as a candidate for the newly-founded Community First party in April 2026.^[252][95]

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, was re-elected in 2022 with 52.0% of the vote. She will be term-limited by the New Mexico Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.

Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior and former U.S. Representative Deb Haaland^[253] and Bernalillo County District Attorney and former Democratic Party of New Mexico chairman Sam Bregman are both running the Democratic primary.^[254]

Rio Rancho mayor Gregg Hull,^[255] former secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department Duke Rodriguez^[256] and businessman Doug Turner^[257] are running in the Republican primary.

Ken Miyagishima, former mayor of Las Cruces, initially announced his campaign as a Democrat but later chose to run as an independent.^[258][98]

Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, took office in 2021 upon the resignation of Andrew Cuomo and was elected to a full term in 2022 with 53.1% of the vote and is seeking re-election to a second full term.^[259] Incumbent lieutenant governor Antonio Delgado announced a primary challenge Hochul in June 2025, but withdrew from the campaign in February 2026.^[260] Hochul has chosen former Speaker of the New York City Council and 2025 candidate for Mayor of New York City Adrienne Adams as her running mate to replace Delgado.^[261]

For the Republicans, U.S. Representative for New York's 21st congressional district Elise Stefanik initially announced a campaign in November 2025^[262] but withdrew in December 2025, also choosing not to seek reelection to Congress.^[263] In her place, President Donald Trump endorsed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who had launched his campaign days earlier.^[264]

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...

2026 Ohio gubernatorial election

← 2022 2030 →

Nominee Vivek Ramaswamy Amy Acton Party Republican Democratic Running mate Rob McColley David Pepper

Incumbent Governor Mike DeWine Republican

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Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, was re-elected in 2022 with 62.4% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the Ohio Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.

On the Republican side, biotech entrepreneur and former candidate for the Republican Party nomination in the 2024 presidential election Vivek Ramaswamy has announced a campaign, which has won the support of President Trump and Vice President Vance, the latter an Ohioan.^[265][266] Ohio attorney general Dave Yost, who announced his candidacy for governor in January 2025, withdrew from the race and endorsed Ramaswamy in May 2025.^[267] Ramaswamy defeated automotive entrepreneur Casey Putsch in the Republican primary on May 5, 2026.

Former Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton is the Democratic nominee, as no other candidate filed by the February 4, 2026 deadline.^[268][269]

Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, was re-elected in 2022 with 55.4% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the Oklahoma Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third term.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond,^[270] former Oklahoma Secretary of Budget Mike Mazzei,^[271] former Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Charles McCall,^[272] former Oklahoma Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating,^[273] who is the son of former governor Frank Keating, and former state senator Jake A. Merrick^[105] are all seeking the Republican nomination.

State representative Cyndi Munson^[274] and securities trader Arya Azma^[275] are seeking the Democratic nomination.

Governor Tina Kotek, a Democrat, was elected in 2022 with 47% of the vote. She is running for re-election to a second term.^[276]

On the Republican side, former minority leader of the Oregon House of Representatives and 2022 nominee for governor Christine Drazan is running, as are former professional basketball player and 2010 nominee Chris Dudley, state representative Ed Diehl, Marion County commissioner Danielle Bethell, geonomics researcher Kyle Duyck, and candidate for Oregon Commissioner of Labor in 2022 Robert Neuman.^{[277][278][279][280]}

Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, was elected in 2022 with 56.5% of the vote. He is running for reelection to a second term and is currently the presumptive nominee for the Democratic nomination.^[281]

The presumptive nominee for the Republican nomination is Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity.^[282]

Governor Dan McKee, a Democrat, took office in 2021 upon the resignation of Gina Raimondo and was elected to a full term in 2022 with 58.1% of the vote. As he served less than two years of Raimondo's term, McKee is eligible to seek a second consecutive full term and announced his candidacy on March 3, 2025.^[114]

Helena Foulkes, a former CVS Pharmacy executive and 2022 gubernatorial candidate, entered the race on September 10, 2025, setting up a rematch with McKee, who narrowly defeated her in the 2022 primary.^[112] Restaurateur Greg Stevens is also challenging McKee in the Democratic primary.^[117]

On the Republican side, 2022 lieutenant governor nominee Aaron Guckian is running,^[113] as is businessman Robert Raimondo, who is also a cousin of Democratic former governor Gina Raimondo, and actress Elaine Pelino.^[116][115]

Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican, was re-elected in 2022 with 58.1% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the South Carolina Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive full term.

Five Republicans are contesting the election; state senator Josh Kimbrell,^[283] attorney general Alan Wilson,^[284] lieutenant governor Pamela Evette,^[285] and U.S. representatives Ralph Norman^[286] and Nancy Mace.^[287]

For the Democrats, attorney Mullins McLeod,^[288] state representative Jermaine Johnson,^[289] and businessman Billy Webster^[290] have announced campaigns.

Governor Larry Rhoden, a Republican, assumed office in 2025 following the resignation of Kristi Noem to become Secretary of Homeland Security.^[291] Noem had been re-elected in 2022 with 62% of the vote. Rhoden is now running for a full term.^[292]

Challenging Rhoden in the Republican primary are Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives Jon Hansen,^[293] U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson^[294] and real estate entrepreneur Toby Doerden.^[295]

On the Democratic side, South Dakota Democratic Party executive director Daniel Ahlers^[296] and college student Robert Arnold^[297] have announced their candidacies.

Republican Governor Bill Lee was re-elected in 2022 with 64.9% of the vote. He will be term-limited by the Tennessee Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn,^[298] state representative Monty Fritts,^[299] and U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 6th congressional district John Rose^[300] are running for the Republican nomination.

For the Democrats, Memphis city councilor Jerri Green,^[301] leader of New Chicago Community Development Corporation and 2022 candidate for governor Carnita Atwater, nominee for the 109th district in the Illinois House of Representatives in 2010 Tim Cyr, and guitarist Adam Kurtz have all announced campaigns.^[302]

Former Lipscomb University professor Lauren Pinkston is running as an independent.^[303]

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...

Texas gubernatorial election

← 2022 2030 →

Nominee Greg Abbott Gina Hinojosa Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent Governor Greg Abbott Republican

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Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, was re-elected in 2022 with 54.8% of the vote. Because Texas does not have gubernatorial term limits in its Constitution, he is eligible to run for re-election to a fourth term. On March 1, 2024, Abbott announced his intention to seek re-election.^[304] He won the primary with over 80% of the vote.^[305]

The Democratic nominee is state representative Gina Hinojosa.^[306] Hinojosa beat Chris Bell, a former U.S. representative for Texas's 25th congressional district and former candidate for governor in 2006, mayor of Houston in 2001 and 2015, and U.S. Senate in 2020, and Bobby Cole, a rancher, in the primary.^{[307][308][309]}

Governor Phil Scott, a Republican, was re-elected in 2024 with 73.4% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election to a sixth two-year term, but has not yet stated if he will do so.

For the Democrats, Attorney General Charity Clark is considered a potential candidate and has said she will run for statewide office in 2026, though she has not yet decided which office.^[310] State Treasurer Mike Pieciak is reported to be considering a campaign for governor.^[311]

Dean Roy, a 14-year-old from Stowe, is running as a member of the Freedom and Unity Party.^[312] Vermont has no minimum age requirement for the governorship, allowing Roy to seek the governorship despite not being old enough to vote.^[313]

Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, was re-elected in 2022 with 51.2% of the vote. Despite Wisconsin not having gubernatorial term limits in its Constitution, Evers announced on July 24, 2025, that he would not seek re-election.^[5]

Former Lieutenant Governor and in 2022 nominee for U.S. Senate Mandela Barnes,^[125] Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, ^[127] Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez,^[132] state senator Kelda Roys,^[134] state representative Francesca Hong,^[129] former CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Missy Hughes,^[130] and former state representative and 2014 candidate for governor Brett Hulsey^[131] have all announced campaigns for the Democratic nomination.

U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district Tom Tiffany and medical service technician Andy Manske^[314] have both announced campaigns for the Republican nomination.^[136]

Governor Mark Gordon, a Republican, was re-elected in 2022 with 74.1% of the vote. State law limits the Governor to two consecutive terms, but Gordon has not ruled out challenging the law's constitutionality and seeking a third term.^[315]

State senator Eric Barlow,^[137] Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder^[316] and civil engineer Brent Bien^[138] are running for the Republican nomination.

Non-profit worker Gabriel Green is running for the Democratic nomination.^[317]

Joseph Kibler, who initially entered the race as a Republican, is running as a member of the Constitution Party.^[318][141]