Democrats Flip Four Governorships in Red-State Election Upsets

Democrats flipped four governorships on November 3, winning in Georgia, Texas, Iowa and Ohio as voters across 36 states chose governors. The victories extended the party’s gains into states that have backed Republicans in recent presidential elections and put the GOP’s national advantage in governors’ offices at risk. Republicans began the night with a 26-to-24 edge.

In Texas, state Representative Gina Hinojosa defeated three-term Republican Governor Greg Abbott, becoming the state’s first Latina governor and its first Democratic governor in more than 30 years. The result was a major reversal in a state Donald Trump carried by nearly 14 points in 2024.

Georgia’s Keisha Lance Bottoms, the city’s former mayor, beat GOP contender Rick Jackson, ending more than two decades of Republican control of the governor’s office. Bottoms will be the first Black woman to serve as a governor. In Iowa, state Auditor Rob Sand prevailed over GOP contender Zach Lahn, while Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio.

Democrats also retained the governorships in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro won reelection by more than 20 points, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley defeated Republican Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin. New York Governor Kathy Hochul also won another term.

The contests carry consequences beyond state politics. Governors can shape state responses to federal policies, and in some states they have a role in election administration. That could matter ahead of the 2028 presidential election, with several of the states that decide close national races among those holding governor contests this year.

Democratic Governors Deliver a Check on Trump Across the States

Democrats turned voter discontent into four major governorship wins on November 3, breaking Republican control in Georgia, Texas, Iowa and Ohio. The results give the party a stronger position in states that can resist federal policies and help oversee elections before 2028.

Texas delivered the night’s sharpest rebuke to Republican rule: Gina Hinojosa defeated three-term Governor Greg Abbott, becoming the first Latina to lead the state and the first Democrat elected governor there in more than 30 years. Georgia also changed hands, as Keisha Lance Bottoms beat Rick Jackson and became the first Black woman elected governor in the country.

Rob Sand’s victory over Zach Lahn made him the first Democrat elected to lead Iowa in two decades. Amy Acton defeated Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio, while Democrats held Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Josh Shapiro won Pennsylvania by more than 20 points, and David Crowley beat Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin.

These victories matter because governors can challenge federal actions and, in some states, influence election administration. With Republicans entering the night holding 26 of the nation’s governorships to Democrats’ 24, the four flips weaken the party that has held the majority since 2010. State leadership will be consequential as the country approaches the 2028 presidential contest.

Democrats Turn Midterm Discontent Into a State-Level Power Grab

Democrats used the November 3 midterms to break Republican control in four states, including Texas and Iowa, and put the GOP’s national edge in governors’ offices in jeopardy. The results leave Republicans facing a more powerful Democratic presence in statehouses ahead of the 2028 election.

In Texas, Gina Hinojosa defeated three-term Governor Greg Abbott, despite the state’s strong recent Republican record. She becomes Texas’s first Latina governor and its first Democratic governor in more than 30 years. Georgia also flipped, with Keisha Lance Bottoms defeating Rick Jackson and ending more than two decades of Republican control of the governor’s office.

Democrats scored additional wins in Iowa, where Rob Sand beat Zach Lahn, and Ohio, where Amy Acton defeated Vivek Ramaswamy. They also kept Pennsylvania and Wisconsin: Josh Shapiro won reelection by more than 20 points, and David Crowley defeated Tom Tiffany.

The consequences reach beyond state-level political control. Governors can oppose federal policies, and some have authority connected to election administration. That makes these offices important in the run-up to 2028, particularly in states that often decide presidential contests. Republicans started the election with a 26-to-24 advantage in governorships, but four Democratic flips put that position at risk.