Ten key governor races decide the balance of power in America's cities
From Atlanta to Madison, voters are choosing leaders in pivotal states where the outcome of the midterms could shift control of the governor's mansion from one party to the other.
By Noah Ross ·
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, voters across the United States are heading to the polls in the midterm elections, a contest that will determine which party controls Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. While the races for the U.S. House and Senate dominate the national conversation, ten specific governorships are poised to be the deciding factor in the balance of power. According to Ballotpedia, Republicans currently hold 26 governor's offices and Democrats hold 24. In the races on the ballot this year, each party holds 18 of the contested seats. Democrats need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority, a position Republicans have held since 2010.
The Associated Press describes the election as a referendum on the president's performance, with voters struggling with high prices and anger over an unpopular war with Iran. In Georgia, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for a race that has drawn significant national attention. Republican health care executive Rick Jackson is challenging Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to succeed Brian Kemp. This contest is particularly significant because Georgia is a state that Trump won in 2024 by a margin of 2.2 points, making it a key battleground for Democrats hoping to expand their footprint in the Southeast.
In Nevada, where polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Republican Governor Joe Lombardo faces Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. Nevada has become a focal point for both parties due to its recent political shifts. Meanwhile, in Ohio, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for a high-profile matchup between Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton. Ramaswamy's campaign has faced recent scrutiny over an advertisement featuring Acton's estranged mother, a controversy that has intensified the local debate ahead of the vote.
Arizona is another critical race, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Democrats are defending the governorship of Katie Hobbs in a state that Trump won in 2024. The Associated Press notes that Democrats are defending five governorships in states the president won, including Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In Kansas, where polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time, the race is seen as a test of Democratic resilience in a traditionally Republican heartland state.
In Pennsylvania, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a race featuring incumbent Josh Shapiro. The Associated Press identifies Pennsylvania as one of the states where Democrats are defending a governorship in a state Trump won. In Wisconsin, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a race where Democrats are defending their hold on the state. The Associated Press notes that Wisconsin's Governor Tony Evers chose not to run for re-election, making this an open seat that could be decisive for the national balance of power.
Michigan is another battleground, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Democrats are defending the governorship in a state that Trump won by a narrow margin of 1.4 points in 2024. The Associated Press highlights that Democrats are hoping to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades, a goal that depends heavily on their performance in states like Michigan and Pennsylvania.
In New Hampshire, polls vary by town but must close no earlier than 7 p.m. Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte is defending her seat in a state that Kamala Harris won in 2024 by a margin of 2.8 points. This race is significant because it represents one of the few opportunities for Republicans to defend a governorship in a state that voted for the Democratic presidential nominee. The Associated Press notes that Republicans are defending two governorships in states Harris won, with Vermont being the other.
In Vermont, polls open between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., with many voters casting ballots by mail. Republican Governor Phil Scott is defending his seat in a state that Harris won. The Associated Press describes the election as a moment where one or two seats could tip the balance of either chamber, and governor races are often seen as a bellwether for broader political sentiment. Voters in these states are weighing the high cost of living and the direction of the country, issues that have driven high early vote turnout, with more than 57 million people having already voted as of Monday.
The Associated Press notes that Republican committees have outraised and outspent Democratic committees, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats have outraised their opponents. This financial dynamic is visible in the advertising strategies of the candidates in these ten key races. In Georgia, for example, both candidates have invested heavily in television advertising, reflecting the high stakes of the contest. In Ohio, the Ramaswamy campaign has focused on national recognition, while the Acton campaign has emphasized local issues.
As polls close across these ten states, the results will provide the first indication of which party is gaining ground in the governor's offices. The Associated Press reports that Democrats are cautiously optimistic, while Republicans are bracing to lose the House but fighting to hold the Senate. The governor races are crucial because they determine the leadership of state governments, which have significant influence over local policies and economic development. In the Southeast, where Georgia is a key state, the outcome of the Jackson and Bottoms race will be closely watched by analysts and voters alike.
