Governors split evenly as Democrats flip five states
Nineteen open seats and three term-limited incumbents reshaped the map, resulting in a 22 to 12 split among called races.
By Kwame Silva ·
The 2026 gubernatorial elections concluded with a dramatic shift in partisan control, as Democrats won 22 of the 36 offices on the ballot while Republicans secured 12, according to Ballotpedia. Two races remained uncalled as of 4:00 PM ET on November 6, 2026, with one seat previously held by a Democrat and the other by a Republican. The results mark a significant reversal from the status quo, where Republicans had held a majority of governorships nationwide since 2010.
Heading into the election, the 36 offices were evenly divided, with Democrats and Republicans each holding 18 seats. This 18 to 18 split created a high-stakes environment where Democrats needed to net two governorships to claim a national majority. Republicans, on the other hand, were required to retain all their seats or gain new ones to maintain their control. The final tally of 22 Democratic wins against 12 Republican wins indicates that Democrats achieved their objective with five net gains, all of which shifted from Republican to Democratic control.
Nineteen of the 36 gubernatorial races featured no incumbent on the general election ballot, creating a vacuum that candidates sought to fill. Fifteen of these open seats resulted from term limits, with six Democratic and nine Republican governors unable to seek re-election. The high number of open seats contributed to the volatility of the cycle, as new candidates had to establish name recognition and policy positions without the advantage of incumbency. This structural openness allowed for the five party flips that defined the night.
Three sitting governors who were eligible to run for re-election chose not to compete, adding to the list of open seats. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, did not seek another term, neither did Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, nor Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat. Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, a Democrat, ran for re-election but lost in the primary. These decisions removed experienced leaders from the ballot, forcing voters to evaluate challengers in states where the previous administration's track record was less immediately tangible.
Ballotpedia identified nine races as battlegrounds, including Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin. These states were closely watched throughout the campaign due to their historical competitiveness or recent shifts in voter alignment. The inclusion of both traditionally red and blue states in this list underscored the national nature of the midterms, with candidates in diverse political environments facing similar challenges regarding the economy and cost of living.
In the battleground states, the results reflected the broader national trend. Democrats successfully defended their seats in Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, all states that President Donald Trump won in the 2024 presidential election. Conversely, Republicans managed to hold onto their seats in New Hampshire and Vermont, states that Kamala Harris won in 2024. The ability of both parties to retain seats in states they did not win in the previous presidential cycle highlights the complexity of state-level politics compared to national races.
The five states that changed party control all shifted from Republican to Democratic hands. No states flipped from Democratic to Republican control. This one-directional movement contributed to the net gain of five seats for the Democratic Party. The flips occurred in the context of a wave election, where Democrats also gained at least seven U.S. Senate seats and at least 43 U.S. House seats. The consistency of these gains across different levels of government suggests a broad-based mandate for change among voters.
The partisan balance of U.S. governors, which stood at 26 Republican and 24 Democratic before the election, is now expected to tilt in favor of the Democrats. With 22 Democratic wins and 12 Republican wins in the called races, the Democrats have secured a majority of the governorships on the ballot. The two uncalled races may further adjust this number, but the current results already indicate a decisive victory for the Democratic Party in the 2026 gubernatorial contests.
The outcome of these elections has immediate implications for state policy and national political dynamics. With a majority of governorships, the Democratic Party will have greater influence over state budgets, education policies, and regulatory frameworks. This shift may also affect the balance of power in the upcoming Congress, as state leaders often coordinate with federal counterparts on legislative priorities. The results serve as a referendum on the current administration, with voters expressing dissatisfaction over high prices and other economic issues.
As the results are finalized, the political landscape is being redrawn with Democrats holding a significant advantage in state executive offices. The 22 to 12 split among the called races marks a turning point in the partisan balance of power, ending a long period of Republican dominance in the governorships. The impact of this shift will be felt in the coming months as the new governors prepare to take office and implement their agendas.
