Governor races in Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia and Nevada are among the biggest 2026 US midterm battles, and three are open seats

The Governor races in Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia and Nevada are expected to be closely watched. 3 of those states, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia will have open races because their current governors cannot run for another term. The results could have a big impact on who leads some of the country's most closely watched states after the November election.

Five states to watch in the governor races

Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia are the three open-seat races among these five states.


In Michigan, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term limited. She cannot seek another term, so voters will choose a new governor. The state is also expected to have a competitive Senate race, adding even more attention to Michigan during the 2026 election.

Wisconsin will also get a new governor. Democratic Governor Tony Evers won't seek another term. The state is already a major presidential battleground. Now an open governor's race gives voters another important contest to follow.

Georgia is in the same position. Republican Governor Brian Kemp is term limited leaving the governor's seat open. Both parties will have a chance to compete for it. Georgia has also become a major battleground in recent presidential elections, so the governor's race is likely to attract plenty of attention.



Arizona is a little different. Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs is seeking another term so this will not be an open race. She is running in a state that Donald Trump won in 2024, putting more focus on how voters in the closely divided state respond to the 2026 election.

Nevada also has an incumbent in the race. Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is seeking another term. Nevada has been another important presidential battleground, and its governor's race is expected to be part of the broader fight for control of governorships.

Taken together, these five states show just how much attention the governor races could receive in 2026. Some will be about replacing governors who are leaving office, while others will be about whether incumbents can hold on.

Why the open seats matter

Open races can change the feel of an election. There is no sitting governor on the ballot asking voters for another term. Instead, both parties are fighting for a seat that is up for grabs. That is the situation in Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia. In all three states, voters will choose a new governor rather than deciding whether to keep the current officeholder. That can make the races especially important for both parties.

The overall governor map is also large. Thirty-six states are holding gubernatorial elections in 2026, according to the National Governors Association.

There are other major races to watch as well. California and Florida have open governor contests because Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis are both term limited. At the same time, voters will also be deciding important Senate and House races.

The 2026 general election is also coming after a major fight over congressional redistricting. Texas Republicans passed a new congressional map aimed at helping the party gain five House seats. California Democrats responded with a map designed to help Democrats gain five seats. California voters approved the new lines in November.

Missouri and North Carolina have also moved toward new congressional maps designed to favor Republicans. So the 2026 midterms will be about much more than who controls Congress. Governors will also be chosen across the country, and those races could change the political landscape in several states.

Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia and Nevada are among the races likely to get the most attention. Three have open seats, while Arizona and Nevada have governors trying to stay in office. For voters following the 2026 election, these five governor races will be ones to keep an eye on, as per a report by Spectrum Local News.