Voters across nine states elected governors on November 03, 2026, with several races resulting in historic outcomes for representation. In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican Rick Jackson to become the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history. Bottoms, 56, previously served as Atlanta’s mayor from 2018-2022 and as an adviser to former President Joe Biden. Her victory also marked the first Democratic gubernatorial win in Georgia in more than two decades.
New Mexico elected Democrat Deb Haaland, of Pueblo Indian descent, as the first Native American woman governor. Haaland defeated Republican Gregg Hull and previously served in Congress and as Interior secretary under Biden. California voters elected Democrat Xavier Becerra as the first elected Latino governor of the state. Becerra, a former California attorney general and U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, defeated Republican Steve Hilton by a substantial margin and will succeed Governor Gavin Newsom. In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa became the first Latina governor, defeating incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott. Hinojosa, a state representative, will be Texas’ first Democratic governor in more than 30 years.
Florida and Wisconsin each elected their first Black governors. Republican Byron Donalds won in Florida with backing from President Trump, defeating Democrat David Jolly by emphasizing affordability and conservative policies. Democrat David Crowley won in Wisconsin, defeating Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany despite being outspent. Crowley, a Milwaukee County executive, had suspended and then reentered his campaign with support from outgoing Governor Tony Evers.
Three states elected their first female governors. Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn won Tennessee’s race, though by a narrower margin than anticipated, defeating Democrat Jerri Green. Democrat Amy Klobuchar, a U.S. senator, will become Minnesota’s first female governor when she assumes office in January, having defeated Republican Lisa Demuth, the Minnesota House speaker. In Ohio, Democrat Amy Acton, the state’s former chief public health officer, defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to become the state’s first female governor and first Jewish governor, as well as the first Democrat elected to the office in two decades.
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