2026 midterms: 7 key governor races to watch and where they stand

(NewsNation) — With early voting underway in several states, 36 governorships are on the ballot Nov. 3.

Decision Desk HQ‘s forecast (as of Oct. 18) has Democrats favored in 21 of the 36 races, with four rated as toss-ups.

These are the races to watch this November.

Billionaire health care executive Rick Jackson spent nearly $100 million of his own money to win the Republican nomination, beating Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, 53% to 47%.

The latest DDHQ forecast shows Jackson narrowly behind Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, at 55% to 45%.

If elected, Lance Bottoms would be Georgia’s first female and first Black governor, and possibly the first Black woman elected to governor anywhere in the U.S. A win would make her the first Democrat elected governor since Roy Barnes in 1998.

Democrat Amy Acton is favored with a 60%-win probability over Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, according to DDHQ’s forecast.

Trump rallied for Ramaswamy in Youngstown Oct. 12. Former President Barack........

© The Hill