Democrats Win Majority of Governorships for First Time Since 2010

Democrats won a majority of U.S. governorships for the first time since 2010, flipping at least five Republican-held seats in Tuesday's midterm elections. The party now controls at least 23 governorships, with Alaska and Kansas still uncalled. Democrats secured comfortable victories in Iowa, Georgia, Nevada, Ohio, and Texas, including a historic upset in Texas where Gina Hinojosa defeated three-term Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Other notable wins include Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia, the first Black woman governor in U.S. history, and Deb Haaland in New Mexico, the first Native American woman governor. Republicans won in Florida, where Byron Donalds became the first Black Republican governor in American history. The 36 governorships on the ballot were evenly split before the election, requiring Democrats to net two seats for a majority. Governors hold significant power over state policy, redistricting, and election administration ahead of the 2028 presidential race. In Alaska, Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is on track to become the state's youngest-ever governor, though the race remains uncalled.