Democrats won a series of high-profile gubernatorial races across the United States, including upset victories in Texas and Georgia that could reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential election. The party aimed to secure a majority of governorships for the first time since 2006.
In Texas, Democratic State Representative Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican incumbent Greg Abbott. She is set to become the state’s first Latina governor and its first Democratic governor in 30 years.
Georgia also changed hands as former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms beat billionaire Rick Jackson. Her victory makes her the first Black woman elected governor of a US state. The result ends more than two decades of Republican control of the governorship and both chambers of Georgia’s legislature.
Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio, becoming the state’s first woman governor and its first Democratic governor since 2006. In Iowa, Rob Sand upset Republican Zach Lahn, while Wisconsin Democrat David Crowley beat Tom Tiffany to become the state’s first Black governor.
Democrats also won in Pennsylvania, where incumbent Josh Shapiro defeated Stacy Garrity, and New York, where Kathy Hochul secured re-election. Deb Haaland won in New Mexico, becoming the first Native American woman elected governor, while Xavier Becerra became California’s first elected Latino governor.
Republican Byron Donalds won Florida’s race against David Jolly, becoming the state’s first Black governor.
The gubernatorial contests drew attention alongside races for control of Congress. Results in states including Michigan and Wisconsin may also matter to the 2028 presidential contest. Governors can serve as a check on federal policies through lawsuits and executive actions, and some appoint officials responsible for overseeing elections.
Sources: The Guardian World.