# Democrats eye governorships as GOP weakens

> With five weeks until Election Day, Democrats see a path to control a majority of state governorships for the first time in 16 years.
- Title: Democrats eye governorships as GOP weakens · NBC News
- Summary: With five weeks until Election Day, Democrats see a path to control a majority of state governorships for the first time in 16 years. Democrats believe they…
- Keywords: democrats, republicans, governorships, 2026 elections, iowa, kansas, arizona, michigan, pennsylvania, wisconsin, georgia, nevada
- Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/another-majority-democrats-reach-politics-desk-rcna600551
- Author: The Politics Desk
- Published: 2026-09-29T21:00:41+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: democrats, republicans, governorships, 2026 elections, iowa, kansas, arizona, michigan, pennsylvania, wisconsin, georgia, nevada
## Democrats target governorships
Five weeks before Election Day, Democrats are pursuing control of state governorships alongside House and Senate races as the political environment deteriorates for Republicans.
## The math for a majority
Currently 26 governors are Republicans and 24 are Democrats. Thirty-six states hold gubernatorial elections this fall with an even split of seats. Democrats need to flip a net of two governorships.
## A 16-year drought
Democrats have not held a majority of governorships since 2010. Republicans have controlled that distinction since 1994, except for a brief period from 2006 to 2010.
## Kansas: defending Trump territory
Democrats are defending Kansas, which Trump won by 16 points in 2024. Gov. Laura Kelly is term-limited. Republican state Senate President Ty Masterson faces state Sen. Cindy Holscher.
## Swing state defenses
Democrats defend governorships in Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Gov. Katie Hobbs won Arizona by 17,000 votes four years ago and is running for a second term.
## Shapiro's strong position
Gov. Josh Shapiro has enjoyed strong approval ratings in Pennsylvania and is a heavy favorite there. Michigan and Wisconsin are open-seat races for Democrats to defend.
## Iowa leans Democratic
According to NBC News Decision Desk race ratings, Iowa's governor contest is listed as lean Democrat. Democratic state Auditor Rob Stand faces businessman Zach Lahn.
## Three toss-up races
Republicans defend seats in Georgia, Nevada and Ohio, all rated as toss-ups by NBC News Decision Desk. These represent opportunities for Democrats to gain ground.
## Alaska's ranked choice ballot
In Alaska, Democrats are feeling better about their chances after one of their candidates advanced from the all-party primary to face three Republicans on the ranked choice general election ballot.
## Texas surprise
In Texas, Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa is running more competitively than expected against GOP Gov. Greg Abbott in a traditionally Republican state.
## National winds matter
State races are often less affected by national political winds than federal races, but they can still prove difficult for any candidate of the party in power in Washington.
## Symbolic but significant
Securing a majority of governorships is more symbolic than House or Senate control, but would represent a significant moral victory for Democrats given recent Republican dominance at state level.
## Reshaping the 2028 map
A Democratic governorship majority would help Democrats fight their coastal image and prove they can win across the country as they chart their course into the 2028 presidential campaign.
## Key takeaway

Democrats believe they can win a majority of U.S. governorships this fall by flipping two seats in Republican-leaning states, a symbolic victory after 16 years of GOP dominance.