Why governors’ races are important in the 2026 US midterms

Much of the attention ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections has fallen on the battle for control of the United States Congress. But key state-level races are also unfolding, with far-reaching consequences for the country’s future. This year, 36 US states will vote for their next governor, the most powerful elected official in state government. An unusually high proportion of those races centre on open seats, with no incumbent governor on the ballot seeking re-election. In 19 of the races, the current officeholder is either term-limited, like California Democrat Gavin Newsom , or voluntarily opted to not run again, like Iowa Republican Kim Reynolds. This historic turnover creates the potential for several states to take on significant changes in leadership. Since the US Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that there is no constitutional right to abortion access, state governments have played a central role in determining whether the procedure is legal. Governors may also sign or veto legislation changing voting rules, giving them significant influence over election administration. One example came after former US President Barack Obama’s landmark healthcare policy, the Affordable Care Act, passed the US Congress in 2010. Some governors, like Steve Beshear of Kentucky and Earl Ray Tomblin of West Virginia, issued executive orders in 2013 to adopt Medicaid expansion without their legislatures’ approval.