The Green Papers: 2026 General Election
 
Copyright www.flags.net/UNST.htm 2026 Governor's Chairs
by State

This is a list of the current Governors' chairs, the incumbents occupying them, and the candidacy status of said incumbents. Chairs up for election in the year 2024 are marked as such.

There have been 0 deaths, 0 resignation, and 0 changes of party affiliation in 2023.

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Gubernatorial Links

           

Alabama  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election
Open
Republican Governor Kay Ivey
• Ascended to the chair 10 April 2017 following the resignation of Governor Robert J. Bentley (Republican). First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair - At term limit
Regular Primary on 19 May 2026. If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote in the primary, a 16 June runoff will be held between the top two vote-getters.
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     former U.S. Senator  Gordon Douglas "Doug" Jones
• First elected to the US Senate in a special election: 12 December 2017; unsuccessful candidate for re-election: 2020.
  Candidate Republican     Senator  Thomas H. "Tommy" Tuberville
• 27 May 2025: Senator Thomas H. "Tommy" Tuberville announces his candidacy for Governor in 2026.

Alaska  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election
Open
Republican Governor Mike J. Dunleavy
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Republican     former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson
• for Lieutenant Governor: Josh Church
• on General Election ballot.
  Candidate Democratic; Nonpartisan     former state Representative Jonathan S. "JKT" Kreiss-Tomkins
• for Lieutenant Governor: Zac Johnson
• Jonathan "JKT" Kreiss-Tomkins (Democratic)
Zac Johnson (Nonpartisan)
on General Election ballot
  Candidate Write-in; (Democratic; Republican)     former Angoon City Council Member James Willia"JP4" Parkin, IV
• for Lieutenant Governor: Ramadhani "Ram" Greer
• 18 August 2026: Lost the primary. Now running as a write-in.
Parkin is a registered Republican. Greer is a registered Democrat.
  Candidate Republican     former Attorney General Treg Taylor
• for Lieutenant Governor: Candi English
  Candidate Republican     Bernadette M. Wilson
• for Lieutenant Governor: former state Senator Michael K. "Mike" Shower
• On General Election ballot.

Arizona  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election Democratic Governor  Katie Hobbs
• First elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic     Governor  Katie Hobbs
• for Lieutenant Governor: former Mesa Mayor John Giles (Republican and Independent)
  Candidate Republican     Member of Congress  Andy Biggs
• for Lieutenant Governor: former state Senator Sine Kerr
• Congress CD 5
  Candidate Green     Risa Lombardo
• for Lieutenant Governor: Lisa Castillo
  Candidate No Labels     Teri Ann Hourihan
• for Lieutenant Governor: Angela Harrolle Mohan
  Candidate Write-in; (Republican)     Gertritrude Gonzalez
  Candidate Write-in; (Republican)     Alice Novoa

Arkansas  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election Republican Governor  Sarah Huckabee Sanders
• First elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic     state Senator  Fredrick J. "Fred" Love
  Candidate Republican     Governor  Sarah Huckabee Sanders
  Candidate Libertarian     Colt Shelby

California  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election
Open
Democratic Governor  Gavin Newsom
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair - At term limit
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     former Member of Congress  Xavier Becerra
• California Attorney General: 1987-1990; California state Assembly member: 1990-1992; First elected to Congress 1992, re-elected: 1994, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, resigned 24 January 2017; California Attorney General: 2017-2021; Health and Human Services Secretary for President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.: 2021-2025.
  Candidate Republican     Steve Hilton

Colorado  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election
Open
Democratic Governor  Jared Polis
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair - At term limit
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     Attorney General  Philip "Phil" Weiser
• for Lieutenant Governor: Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper
• 2 January 2025: Candidate for Governor in 2026.
  Candidate Republican     Victor Marx
• for Lieutenant Governor: George Washington Markert
  Candidate American Constitution     Stephen Taylor Hamilton
• for Lieutenant Governor: James Karl "Jim" Treibert
  Candidate Libertarian     Eric Mulder
• for Lieutenant Governor: Wayne Harlos
  Candidate Approval Voting; (Democratic)     Erik Underwood
• for Lieutenant Governor: Frank Atwood
  Candidate Unity     Jeff Peckman
• for Lieutenant Governor: Tijani "T.J." "Tom" Hall
• 30 June 2026: Received 56% of the vote in the primary.
  Candidate Unaffiliated     former Member of Congress  Greg Lopez
• for Lieutenant Governor: Taralyn Romero
• Former Republican mayor of Parker; unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for the US Senate: 2016; unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of Colorado: 2018, 2022; first elected as a Republican to the US House in a Special Election: 25 June 2024 [re: resignation of Kenneth R. "Ken" Buck (Republican)]; not a candidate re-election: 2024.

Connecticut  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election Democratic Governor  Edward "Ned" Lamont
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic; Working Families     Governor  Edward "Ned" Lamont
• for Lieutenant Governor: Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz
  Candidate Republican; Independent Party of Connecticut     state Senator  Ryan Fazio
• for Lieutenant Governor: Matt Corey
  Candidate Write-in     Zenobia Adgers
• for Lieutenant Governor: Rick Adgers
  Candidate Write-in     Christian Noe
• for Lieutenant Governor: Michael S. Grant
  Candidate Write-in     L. Lee Whitnum
• for Lieutenant Governor: David Spirt

Delaware  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2024, 2028. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

  Democratic Governor  Matt Meyer
• First elected: 2024.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 7 November 2028
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Florida  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election
Open
Republican Governor  Ronald D. "Ron" DeSantis
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair - At term limit.
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     former Member of Congress  David W. Jolly
• for Lieutenant Governor: former Member of Congress Gwen Graham
• First elected as a Republican in a special Congressional election: 11 March 2014 [re: passing of Congressman Charles William "C.W." "Bill" Young (Republican)], reelected: 2014, unsuccessful candidate for reelection: 2016.
4 June 2025: Filed with the Florida Department of State to run for Governor as a Democrat.
  Candidate Republican     Member of Congress  Byron Donalds
• for Lieutenant Governor: state Senator Bryan Avila
• 26 February 2025: Member of Congress Donalds, CD 19, is a candidate for Governor in 2026.
  Candidate Libertarian     Scott Eckhard Jewett
• for Lieutenant Governor: Nicole Skelly
  Candidate No Party Affiliation     Dean Ocean Abrams
• for Lieutenant Governor: Joe Van Vactor
  Candidate No Party Affiliation; (Republican)     former Surfside Mayor Charles W. Burkett
• for Lieutenant Governor: Surfside City Commissioner Ruben Coto
  Candidate No Party Affiliation     Jeffrey Peter "Dr. Jeff" Datto
• for Lieutenant Governor: Juan Santana
  Candidate No Party Affiliation     Moliere "Moe" Dimanche
• for Lieutenant Governor: Benjamin Rojas
  Candidate No Party Affiliation     Frank J. Russo
• for Lieutenant Governor: Rachel Rodriguez (write-in)
  Candidate Write-in     Kathleen Gail "Kathy" Anderson
• for Lieutenant Governor: Daniel Nokovich
  Candidate Write-in     Erik Edward Morris
• for Lieutenant Governor: LeRoy Alaways

Georgia  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election
Open
Republican Governor  Brian Porter Kemp
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair - At term limit.
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     former Atlanta Mayor Keisha R. Lance Bottoms
  Candidate Republican     Rick Jackson
• Advances to and won 16 June runoff. Received 35% in the 19 May primary.
  Candidate Write-in     David C. Byrne
  Candidate Write-in     Jacqueline Angela DaCosta
  Candidate Write-in     Deb Broughton Davis
  Candidate Write-in     Milton J. Lofton
  Candidate Write-in     David Leon Moreland
  Candidate Write-in     Leland Jake Olinger, II
  Candidate Write-in     Andrew Pacetti

Hawaii  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election Democratic Governor  Joshua B. "Josh" Green
• First elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic     Governor  Joshua B. "Josh" Green
• for Lieutenant Governor: Derek S.K. Kawakami
  Candidate Republican     Gary A. Cordery
• for Lieutenant Governor: Daniel K. Anthony

Idaho  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election Republican Governor  Brad Little
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic     Terri Pickens
  Candidate Republican     Governor  Brad Little
  Candidate Constitution     Marvin "Pro Life" Richardson
  Candidate Libertarian     Paul Sand
  Candidate Independent     former state Supreme Court Justice John R. Stegner
  Candidate Write-in; (Independent)     Jacob Burnett

Illinois  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election Democratic Governor  J.B. Pritzker
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic     Governor  J.B. Pritzker
• for Lieutenant Governor: former state Representative Christian Mitchell
  Candidate Republican     former state Senator Darren Bailey
• for Lieutenant Governor: Aaron B. Del Mar
  Candidate Independent; (Republican)     Collin Corbett
• for Lieutenant Governor: Carolyn Schofield
  Candidate Write-in; (Libertarian)     Taegun Eimer
• for Lieutenant Governor: Chicago Police District Councilor Christopher "Chris" Laurent
  Candidate Write-in     Richard Mayers
  Candidate Write-in     Mistry Metroz
  Candidate Write-in; (Green)     Griselda Romero
• for Lieutenant Governor: Eyde Arndell

• 14 July 2026: Removed from ballot. Now running as a write-in.
  Candidate Write-in     Elizabeth Sebesta
    Write-in; (Republican)     Joseph "Joe" Severino - apparently not a candidate
• for Lieutenant Governor: Rantch Isquith
  Candidate Write-in     Patricia L. Tillman
• for Lieutenant Governor: Joseph L. Mosley
  Candidate Write-in     Rafael Varela
  Candidate Write-in; (American Solidarity)     Mike Vick

Indiana  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2024, 2028. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 3-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

  Republican Governor  Michael K. "Mike" Braun
• First elected: 2024.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 7 November 2028
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Iowa  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election
Open
Republican Governor  Kimberly K. "Kim" Reynolds
• Ascended to the Governor's Chair: 24 May 2017 [re: Governor Terry E. Branstad (Republican) resignation to become Ambassador to China]; first elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• Open Chair - 11 April 2025: "After a lot of thought, prayer, and conversations with my family, I have decided that I will not seek re-election in 2026...."
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     Auditor  Rob Sand
• for Lieutenant Governor: Crawford County Supervisor Dave Muhlbauer
• 12 May 2025: Auditor Rob Sand is a candidate for Governor in 2026.
  Candidate Republican     Zach Lahn
• for Lieutenant Governor: state Representative Derek Wulf

Kansas  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election
Open
Democratic Governor  Laura Kelly
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair - At term limit.
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     state Senator  Cindy Holscher
• for Lieutenant Governor: state Representative K.C. Ohaebosim
  Candidate Republican     state Senator  Ty Masterson
• for Lieutenant Governor: Jeffrey "Jeff" Klemp
  Candidate Write-in; (Independent)     Sharilyn Ray

Kentucky  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2023, 2027. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

  Democratic Governor  Andy Beshear
• First elected: 2019; re-elected: 2023.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 2 November 2027
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair
  Candidate Democratic     former state Representative Rocky Adkins
  Candidate Democratic     Lieutenant Governor  Jacqueline Coleman
  Candidate Republican     Commonwealth's Attorney Rick Hardin
  Candidate Independent     Geary Cooney

Louisiana  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2023, 2027. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

  Republican Governor  "Jeff" Landry
• First elected: 2023
• Chair up for regular election: Saturday 16 October 2027
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Maine  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms. GOVERNOR is the only Statewide elected officer
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election
Open
Democratic Governor  Janet Trafton Mills
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair - At term limit.
14 October 2025: Candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2026.
30 April 2026: ".... I have made the incredibly difficult decision to suspend my campaign for the United States Senate."
9 June 2026: Did not receive her party's nomination for Senate Class 2.
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     former state Representative Hannah M. Pingree
• Daughter of Member of Congress Chellie M. Pingree.
Ranked choice.
  Candidate Republican     Robert B. "Bobby" Charles
• Ranked choice.
  Candidate Independent; (Republican; Forward Party)     state Senator  Richard "Rick" Bennett
  Candidate Write-in; (Independent; Unenrolled)     John Glowa, Sr.
  Candidate Write-in; (Republican)     Randy Wilcox

Maryland  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election Democratic Governor  Wes Moore
• First elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic     Governor  Wes Moore
• for Lieutenant Governor: Aruna Miller
  Candidate Republican     Dan Cox
• for Lieutenant Governor: Rob Krop
  Candidate Green     Andy Ellis
• for Lieutenant Governor: Owen Silverman Andrews
  Candidate Working Class     Cathy White
• for Lieutenant Governor: Cathy Permut

Massachusetts  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election Democratic Governor  Maura Healey
• First elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic     Governor  Maura Healey
• for Lieutenant Governor: Lieutenant Governor Kimberley "Kim" Driscoll
  Candidate Republican     Michael Roger "Mike" Minogue
• for Lieutenant Governor: New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver
• Received 70.38% at the Massachusetts Republican Convention.
  Candidate Independent; (Green-Rainbow)     Andrea "AJ" James
• for Lieutenant Governor: Kayla Kittredge

Michigan  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election
Open
Democratic Governor  Gretchen Whitmer
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair - At term limit.
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     Secretary of State  Jocelyn Benson
• for Lieutenant Governor: state Senator Winnie Brinks
  Candidate Republican     Member of Congress  John James
• for Lieutenant Governor: State Representative Jay DeBoyer
• 7 April 2025: Candidate for Governor in 2026.
Member of Congress CD 10
  Candidate Green     Douglas "Doug" Campbell
• for Lieutenant Governor: Bobbie Clay
  Candidate Libertarian     Anthony Hudson
• for Lieutenant Governor: Beau Parmenter
  Candidate U.S. Taxpayers     Donna Brandenburg
• for Lieutenant Governor: Robert Donald Cowper, II

Minnesota  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election
Open
Democratic Governor  Timothy J. "Tim" Walz
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• Open Chair - 5 January 2026: "I've decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work."
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic-Farmer Labor     Senator  Amy J. Klobuchar
• for Lieutenant Governor: former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer
• 22 January 2026: Filed with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board to run for Governor in 2026.
29 January 2026: Announced candidacy for Governor.
  Candidate Republican     state Representative  Lisa Demuth
• for Lieutenant Governor: Ryan Wilson
  Candidate Green     Steven Young
• for Lieutenant Governor: Jane Kirby
 

6 August 2024: Vice President Kamala D. Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Timothy J. "Tim" Walz to be her Vice Presidential running mate.
5 November 2024: Vice President Kamala D. Harris and Minnesota Governor Timothy J. "Tim" Walz lost the Presidential election.


Mississippi  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2023, 2027. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

  Republican Governor  Tate Reeves
• First elected: 2019; re-elected: 2023.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 2 November 2027
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair
  Candidate Republican     Attorney General  Lynn Fitch
• 4 August 2026: "... I'm very excited to be able to announce my candidacy for governor."
  Candidate Republican     Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce  Andy Gipson
  Candidate Republican     former state Representative Philip Gunn
  Candidate Republican     Auditor of Public Accounts  Shadrack "Shad" White

Missouri  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2024, 2028. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

  Republican Governor  Mike Kehoe
• First elected: 2024.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 7 November 2028
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Montana  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2024, 2028. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 4-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

  Republican Governor  Greg Gianforte
• First elected: 2020; re-elected: 2024.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 7 November 2028
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair

Nebraska  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election Republican Governor  Jim Pillen
• First elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic     former state Senator Lynne Walz
• for Lieutenant Governor: Richardson County Rural Water District Board Member Ben Steffen
  Candidate Republican     Governor  Jim Pillen
• for Lieutenant Governor: Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly
  Candidate America First     former state Senator Brent Lindstrom
• for Lieutenant Governor: Michael "Mike" Picard
  Candidate Legal Marijuana Now     Rick Beard
• for Lieutenant Governor: Keenya Barnes

Nevada  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election Republican Governor  Joseph "Joe" Lombardo
• First elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
• Renominated
    Democratic     Sunshine Arterburn - lost primary
    Democratic     Miqehl Bayfield - lost primary
    Democratic     Emile Bouari - lost primary
    Democratic     James Cooper - lost primary
  Candidate Democratic     Attorney General  Aaron Darnell Ford
    Democratic     Washoe County Commissioner  Alexis Hill - lost primary
    Republican     Donald J. "Donald Jr" Beaudry, Jr. - lost primary
    Republican     Irina Hansen - lost primary
    Republican     Michael Kameron "M. Kameron" Hawkins - lost primary
  Candidate Republican     Governor  Joseph "Joe" Lombardo
    Republican     Matthew Rian Winterhawk - lost primary
    Republican     Jose M. Zelaya - lost primary
    Republican     Barak Zilberberg - lost primary
    No Political Party     Christopher "Chris" Battenberg - apparently not a candidate
  Candidate No Political Party     state Board of Education Member  Danielle Ford
    No Political Party     Jordan Koteras - apparently not a candidate
    No Political Party     Allen Anderson Rheinhart - apparently not a candidate
• Democratic Socialist
    No Political Party     Emilio Ray Rodriguez - apparently not a candidate
    No Political Party     John T. Scott - apparently not a candidate

New Hampshire  2 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2024. Term Limit: None. GOVERNOR is the only Statewide elected officer
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election Republican Governor  Kelly Ayotte
• First elected: 2024.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic     former Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington
  Candidate Republican     Governor  Kelly Ayotte
  Candidate Libertarian     Stephen Villee
• Granite State Libertarian Party

New Jersey  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2025, 2029. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

  Democratic Governor  Rebecca Michelle "Mikie" Sherrill
• First elected: 2025
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2029
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

New Mexico  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election
Open
Democratic Governor  Michelle Lujan Grisham
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair - At term limit.
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     former Member of Congress  Debra A. "Deb" Haaland
• for Lieutenant Governor: Public Lands Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard
• Former Member of Congress Debra A. "Deb" Haaland (Democratic) was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2020. She was nominated by President-elect Joe Biden as Secretary of the Interior on 17 December 2020 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, 51-40, on 15 March 2021. She resigned from Congress on 16 March 2021.

18 June 2026: Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver suspended her campaign for Lieutenant Governor citing health concerns. The party selected Public Lands Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard as the replacement nominee.
  Candidate Republican     Rio Rancho Mayor  Greggory D. "Gregg" Hull
• for Lieutenant Governor: state Senator David M. Gallegos

New York  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election Democratic Governor  Kathleen Courtney "Kathy" Hochul
• Ascended to the Governor's Chair: 24 August 2021 [re: resignation of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (Democratic)]. First elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic; Working Families     Governor  Kathleen Courtney "Kathy" Hochul
• for Lieutenant Governor: former New York City Council Member Adrienne Adams
  Candidate Republican; Conservative; Vote Affordable     Nassau County Executive  Bruce A. Blakeman
• for Lieutenant Governor: Madison County Sheriff Todd M. Hood
    Coalition Party; (Libertarian)     Larry Sharpe - apparently not a candidate
• for Lieutenant Governor: Shannon Joy Bones

• also Coalition Party
    Working Families     Amy S. Taylor - apparently not a candidate
• for Lieutenant Governor: Joshua E. Goldfein
    Independent     Carl Gottstein - apparently not a candidate
  Candidate Write-in; (Socialist Workers Party)     Paul Mailhot
• for Lieutenant Governor: Willie Cotton
  Candidate Write-in; (Prohibition Party)     Jonathan Makeley

North Carolina  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2024, 2028. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

  Democratic Governor  Joshua Harold "Josh" Stein
• First elected: 2024.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 7 November 2028
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
  Candidate Republican     Monroe Mayor  Robert Burns

North Dakota  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2024, 2028. Term Limit: North Dakota passed an initiative in November 2022 to amend the state's Constitution to add Gubernatorial term limits of 2 4 year terms. Applies to individuals elected after 1 January 2023
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

  Republican Governor  Kelly M. Armstrong
• First elected: 2024.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 7 November 2028
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Ohio  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election
Open
Republican Governor  Michael "Mike" DeWine
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair - At term limit.
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     Amy Acton
• for Lieutenant Governor: former Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper
  Candidate Republican     Vivek Ganapathy Ramaswamy
• for Lieutenant Governor: state Senator Robert A. "Rob" McColley
  Candidate Libertarian     Donald C. "Don" Kissick
• for Lieutenant Governor: James L. Mills
  Candidate Write-in; (Forward Party; Independent)     Timothy "Tim" Grady
• for Lieutenant Governor: Andrea Neutzling
  Candidate Write-in     Heather Hill
• for Lieutenant Governor: Patrick Manley
  Candidate Write-in     Renea Turner
• for Lieutenant Governor: Jalen Turner
  Candidate Write-in     Ron Ula
• for Lieutenant Governor: Michael C. "Mike" Lehnerd

Oklahoma  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election
Open
Republican Governor J. Kevin Stitt
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair - At term limit.
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
    Democratic     Arya Azma - lost primary
    Democratic     former state Senator Connie Johnson - lost primary
  Candidate Democratic     state Representative  Cyndi Munson
    Republican     Attorney General  Gentner F. Drummond - lost primary
• 16 June 2026: Received 26.3% in the primary. Advances to but lost 25 August runoff.
  Candidate Republican     former state Senator Mike Mazzei
• 16 June 2026: Received 25.9% in the primary. Advances to and won 25 August runoff iwht 50.3%.
  Candidate Independent     Robert E. Brooks, Sr.
  Candidate Independent     Orlando Lynn Bush
  Candidate Independent     former Tulsa School Board Member Jerry Griffin

Oregon  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 3-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election Democratic Governor  Tina Kotek
• First elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic; Working Families     Governor  Tina Kotek
  Candidate Republican; Libertarian     state Senator  Christine Drazan
  Candidate Pacific Green     Brett Smith

Pennsylvania  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election Democratic Governor  Joshua D. "Josh" Shapiro
• First elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic     Governor  Joshua D. "Josh" Shapiro
• for Lieutenant Governor: Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis
  Candidate Republican     Treasurer  Stacy Lorraine Garrity
• for Lieutenant Governor: Jason L. Richey
  Candidate Libertarian     Kenneth V. "Ken" Krawchuk
• for Lieutenant Governor: Kittanning Boro Constable John C. Thomas
  Candidate Write-in; (Green)     Anthony James "Tony" Dastra
• for Lieutenant Governor: Craig Joseph Bolton

• 10 August 2026: Petitions challenged.
25 August 2026: Withdrew as a balloted candidate.
  Candidate Write-in; (Socialist Workers Party)     Tony Lane
    Write-in; (Republican)     Doug Mastriano - apparently not a candidate
  Candidate Write-in     James Moore

Rhode Island  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election
Lost
Democratic Governor  Daniel J. "Dan" McKee
• 2 March 2021: Ascended to the office of Governor [re: Governor Gina Raimondo confirmed as Secretary of Commerce in the Biden Administration]. First elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
• Lost Primary / No Longer Running
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     Helena Buonanno Foulkes
  Candidate Republican     Aaron C. Guckian
  Candidate Independent     Kenneth J. "Ken" Block
  Candidate Independent     Jasjit S. "Jay" Gotra
  Candidate Independent     C. D. Reynolds

South Carolina  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election
Open
Republican Governor  Henry Dargan McMaster
• 24 January 2017: Ascended to the Governor's Chair following the resignation of Governor Nikki Randhawa Haley (Republican) who became United Nations Ambassador; first elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair - At term limit.
  Candidate Democratic     state Representative  Jermaine L. Johnson, Sr.
• for Lieutenant Governor: Samuel "Sam" Skardon
  Candidate Republican     Attorney General  Michael Alan "Alan" Wilson
• for Lieutenant Governor: state Senator Mike Reichenbach
• Received 26.4% in the 9 June primary. Advances to and won 23 June runoff.
  Candidate Green     Walid N. Hakim
• for Lieutenant Governor: Arnold E. Karr
  Candidate United Citizens     Michael A. Addison
• for Lieutenant Governor: Candace Brewer

South Dakota  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election Republican Governor  Larry Rhoden
• Ascended to the Chair: 26 January 2025 [re: resignation of Governor Kristi Lynn Noem (Republican)]
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic     former state Senator Dan Ahlers
• for Lieutenant Governor: Steven McCleerey
  Candidate Republican     Governor  Larry Rhoden
• for Lieutenant Governor: Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen

• 2 June 2026: Advances to and won the 28 July 2026 runoff with 25.2% of the vote.
 12 November 2024: President-elect Donald Trump nominates Governor Kristi Lynn Noem to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
25 January 2025: Governor Kristi Lynn Noem (Republican), who was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, resigned after being confirmed by the US Senate 59-34 as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. She previously served in the U.S. House 2011-2019.
25 January 2024: Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden (Republican) who was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, ascended to the Governor's Chair upon the resignation of Governor Kristi Lynn Noem (Republican). Governor Noem was earlier confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Tennessee  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms. GOVERNOR is the only Statewide elected officer
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election
Open
Republican Governor William "Bill" Lee
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair - At term limit.
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     Memphis City Council Member  Jerri Green
  Candidate Republican     Senator  Marsha Blackburn
• 6 August 2025: Candidate for Governor in 2026. "It's official! I'm running for Governor ...."
Previously served in the U.S. House: 2003-2019; first elected to the U.S. Senate: 2018; re-elected: 2024.
  Candidate Independent     Misam Abidi
  Candidate Independent     Harold Dean "Dean" Brewer
  Candidate Independent     Edgar Ray "Ray" Brown
  Candidate Independent; (Republican)     David Elmer Hatley
  Candidate Independent     Wendell Jackson
  Candidate Independent     Charles Van Morgan
  Candidate Independent     Eddie Lee Murphy
  Candidate Independent; (Forward Party)     Lauren M. Pinkston
  Candidate Independent     Victor Lloyd "Vic" Scoggin
  Candidate Independent     David "Dave" Seeman
  Candidate Independent     Karl Knox Smithson
  Candidate Independent     Larita Webb "L. Webb" Taylor
  Candidate Independent     Robert C. Vick
  Candidate Write-in     Stephen C. Maxwell

Texas  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election Republican Governor  Greg Abbott
• Previously served as Attorney General: first elected 2002; re-elected: 2006, 2010; First elected as Governor: 2014; re-elected: 2018, 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic     state Representative  Gina Hinojosa
  Candidate Republican     Governor  Greg Abbott
  Candidate Libertarian     former Lago Vista City Council Member Pat Dixon
  Candidate Write-in     Edward Earl Giles
  Candidate Write-in     Jinghpaw Majoishingra
  Candidate Write-in     Mike Miller
  Candidate Write-in; (Independent)     Jenn Mack Raphoon
• aka Jenn Mack

Utah  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2024, 2028. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

  Republican Governor  Spencer J. Cox
• Previously served as Lieutenant Governor 2013-2020; First elected: 2020; re-elected: 2024.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 7 November 2028
• Open Chair - Stated that he was not going to serve more than 2 terms.
  Candidate Republican     former state Representative Phillip Kay "Phil" Lyman

Vermont  2 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2024. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election Republican Governor  Phil Scott
• First elected: 2016; re-elected: 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• Renominated
  Candidate Democratic; Progressive     Amanda Janoo
  Candidate Republican     Governor  Phil Scott
  Candidate Peace And Justice     June Goodband
  Candidate Freedom and Unity Party     Dean R. Roy
• The candidate is 15 years old.
  Candidate Independent     Brian Judd
  Candidate Write-in; (Constitution)     Mark Grimek
  Candidate Write-in     David King
  Candidate Write-in     Bryan Ponnwitz
 If no candidate receives 50% of the vote in the November General Election, the state Legislature chooses the next Governor. [Vermont Constitution Section 47, Chapter II]

Virginia  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2025, 2029. Term Limit: ineligble to immediately succeed after a given 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

  Democratic Governor  Abigail A. Spanberger
• First elected: 2025.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2029
• The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election.
• Open Chair

Washington  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2024, 2028. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

  Democratic Governor  Bob Ferguson
• Previously served as Attorney General being first elected: 2012; re-elected: 2016, 2020.
First elected Governor: 2024.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 7 November 2028
  Candidate Republican     Ethan Brunton

West Virginia  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2024, 2028. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

  Republican Governor  Patrick James Morrisey
• First elected: 2024.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 7 November 2028
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
  Candidate Republican     Bryan Michael McKinney
  Candidate Independent     Gary Keen
  Candidate Independent     Brian Wright

Wisconsin  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Democratic

Chair up for regular election
Open
Democratic Governor  Anthony Steven "Tony" Evers
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• Open Chair - 24 July 2025: Governor Evers will not seek re-election. "... I'm announcing I will not be running for a third term ..."
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     Milwaukee County Executive  David Carl Crowley
• for Lieutenant Governor: Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski
• 11 August 2026: Won the Democratic Primary.
18 July 2026: Re-entered primary.
8 July 2026: Dropped out. "It has become clear that I will not be the Democratic nominee for Governor." Remains on the ballot.
  Candidate Republican     Member of Congress  Thomas "Tom" Tiffany
• for Lieutenant Governor: former Lancaster Mayor David Varnam
• Member of Congress Thomas "Tom" Tiffany (CD 3).
23 September 2025: Announced candidacy for Governor.
  Candidate Write-in; (Independent)     David D. King

Wyoming  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2022, 2026. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 4-term period. The Wyoming Supreme Court determined on 4 May 2004 that term limits require an amendment to the state constitution rather than, as they were, imposed by a 1992 ballot initiative. At the time, the ruling was not applied to statewide offices. Reference: CATHCART v. MEYER, 2004 WY 49, 88 P.3d 1050, Case Number: 04-32, 04-33, 04-34, Decided: 05/04/2004.
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Chair up for regular election
Open
Republican Governor  Mark Gordon
• First elected: 2018; re-elected: 2022.
• Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2026
• The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
• Open Chair - 16 April 2026: Stated he will not run for a 3rd term.
 ** Open Chair (no incumbent) **
  Candidate Democratic     Kenneth R. "Ken" Casner
  Candidate Republican     state Senator  Eric Barlow
  Candidate Constitution     Rebecca Bextel

Political Parties    Parties appear in parenthesis and italics when a candidate receives the endorsement of a given Party and/or official sources indicate a candidate's association with a particular Party but only where the Party in question does not appear on the actual ballot as such.

Major Parties
 • Democratic
 • Democratic-Farmer Labor
 • Republican
Major Third Parties
 • American Constitution
 • Constitution
 • Green
 • Green-Rainbow
 • Libertarian
 • Pacific Green
 • Peace And Justice
 • U.S. Taxpayers
Other Third Parties
 • America First
 • American Solidarity
 • Approval Voting
 • Coalition Party
 • Conservative
 • Forward Party
 • Freedom and Unity Party
 • Independent Party of Connecticut
 • Legal Marijuana Now
 • No Labels
 • Progressive
 • Prohibition Party
 • Socialist Workers Party
 • United Citizens
 • Unity
 • Vote Affordable
 • Working Class
 • Working Families
Independents
 • Independent
 • No Party Affiliation
 • No Political Party
 • Nonpartisan
 • Unaffiliated
 • Unenrolled
Write-in/Scattered/otherwise not readily classifiable
 • Write-in
 

Notes

Candidates for office appear on this page in italics where 'The Green Papers' does not yet have independent confirmation from a legal election authority that the person has been officially certified to appear on the ballot.

Candidates for office appear on this page in italics where 'The Green Papers' does not yet have independent confirmation from a legal election authority that the person has been officially certified to appear on the ballot.

"Apparently not a candidate" indicates that someone we once listed as a candidate for an elective office will not, in fact, be running for that office (primarily because said candidate is not listed on an official ballot provided by a jurisdiction's election authorities, where that candidate has not previously withdrawn his/her candidacy or otherwise indicated no longer [or even ever] being a candidate for that office).

"FEC" indicates the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Campaign Finance Summary.

When available, we post each candidate's FEC identification number, the date of their most recently filed Report of Receipts and Disbursements, their "Tot" [Total Receipts (contributions received or what came in: FEC Form 3, Line 16, Column B)] and their "Dsb" [Total Disbursements (expenditures or what was spent: FEC Form 3, Line 23, Column B)]. A link is provided to the Federal Election Commission's Summary Report for those who might wish to explore the details.

If a candidate raises or spends $5,000 or less, he or she is not subject to FEC reporting requirements.


 


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