Democrats Take 27 Governorships
Partisan shifts in Texas, Georgia, and Iowa mark the first Democratic majority in statehouses since 2010.
By Zoe Harrison ·
Tuesday’s elections ended 16 years of Republican dominance in statehouses, as Democrats secured a majority of the 36 gubernatorial races held this cycle. The party gained control of four governor’s mansions in states President Donald Trump carried in 2024, while holding power in key battlegrounds.
Democrats flipped Georgia, Iowa, Texas, and Ohio. Republicans entered the day with a 26-24 advantage in these contests. The new tally gives Democratic governors control of the majority of states for the first time since 2010.
Gina Hinojosa, a Democratic state representative, defeated three-term Republican Governor Greg Abbott in Texas. Hinojosa becomes the state’s first Latina chief executive. Trump won Texas by nearly 14 points in 2024. The last Democratic governor there was elected more than three decades ago.
Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Atlanta Mayor, defeated Republican Rick Jackson in Georgia. Bottoms becomes the first Black female governor in U.S. history. This victory ends 24 years of Republican control in the state. She joins Wes Moore of Maryland and Byron Donalds of Florida as one of three Black governors elected Tuesday. No state has had more than one Black governor serving simultaneously until now.
Rob Sand, the Iowa state auditor, beat Republican Zach Lahn to become the first Democrat elected to lead Iowa in two decades. Trump won Iowa by 13 points in 2024. In Ohio, Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to succeed Mike DeWine.
Democrats also maintained power in critical swing states. David Crowley defeated Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin to succeed Tony Evers. Katie Hobbs won re-election in Arizona over Andy Biggs. Josh Shapiro won re-election in Pennsylvania by more than 20 points. Jocelyn Benson defeated John James in Michigan.
Races in Nevada and Kansas remained too close to call early Wednesday. Cindy Holscher faced Ty Masterson in Kansas, a state that has had a Democratic governor for the last eight years. Aaron Ford faced incumbent Joe Lombardo in Nevada. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, chair of the Democratic Governors Association, said the party pulled off an amazing turnaround by winning everywhere.
