governor candidates

The New York Times has published updated polling on the 2026 gubernatorial races, offering an early look at how candidates are positioning in key state contests. The latest numbers give voters and political observers a first measure of candidate strength, though most races remain more than a year away and few campaigns are fully underway.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is drawing attention for criticizing fellow Democrats over the party's stance on transgender athletes in women's sports. The comments put a prominent potential 2028 presidential contender at odds with parts of his own party's base and have sparked debate about how Democrats should handle the issue heading into future elections.

As California's gubernatorial race takes shape, former Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton have laid out their healthcare proposals for the state's next governor. Coverage compares where each candidate stands on affordability, coverage and reform, giving voters a side-by-side look at how they would approach healthcare if elected.

Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton are facing off in Ohio's 2026 governor's race, with Democrats viewing the contest as one of their few realistic chances to flip a governorship this cycle. Coverage focuses on the sharp clashes between the Republican and Democratic candidates and what the outcome could signal for both parties heading into future elections.

A new Real Time survey on the contest for a Senate seat in Rio de Janeiro places Carlos Jordy among the candidates being discussed in the state's race. The poll, covered by CartaCapital, is fueling debate about how the dispute is shaping up ahead of the election and where the vice-governor stands among voters.

Property insurance has emerged as the defining issue in Florida's governor's election, with rising premiums and insurer withdrawals hitting homeowners across the state. Coverage from Florida Today frames the crisis as central to the campaign, as candidates face pressure to explain how they would stabilize a market where many residents have seen costs surge and policies cancelled.

Candidates running for governor of South Dakota have clashed in debate over data centers, education funding and economic development, according to reporting from South Dakota Searchlight. The exchanges highlight differing visions for how the state should grow its economy and support public schools heading into the election.

Republican candidates across key battleground states are working to create distance from Donald Trump ahead of the election. Among them, Paul LePage, the former Maine governor and early Trump-aligned figure, has been criticising the White House's immigration enforcement efforts. Commentators, including MAGA-aligned radio host Steve Deace, have reacted sharply, with one post describing the moment as one of the all-time election freakouts.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has published a new book titled 'Go and Do Likewise'. He discussed the book in an interview with NPR, talking about its themes and the thinking behind it. The release is drawing attention as Beshear is often mentioned as a potential contender in national Democratic politics, and readers are watching what the book signals about his ambitions and values.

Maryland's 2026 gubernatorial election is already in the spotlight, with local outlets publishing early voter's guides to help residents follow the race. The coverage signals growing interest in who will run and what the leading candidates stand for, well ahead of the primary and general elections next year.

Marcelo Maranata, a candidate for governor of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil's elections, took part in the RBS TV debate alongside other contenders. He said sectoral agricultural development funds "must all be maintained", argued that salary adjustments should be tied to revenue increases, and called promises to end health care waiting lists "irresponsible".

Attention is turning to the 2026 California gubernatorial election, with coverage outlining the field of candidates vying to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited. The race is expected to draw a crowded and high-profile lineup, and readers are looking for guidance on who has declared, who is weighing a run, and what the leading contenders stand for ahead of the primary.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has published a new book, 'Go and Do Likewise', and discussed it in an interview with NPR. The Democratic governor, often mentioned as a potential presidential contender, talks about the themes of the book, which draws on faith and public service. Attention is focused on what the book signals about his political ambitions.

Abdul El-Sayed, a Michigan physician, public health official and former gubernatorial candidate, is running for the US Senate. He previously ran for governor of Michigan in 2018 and served as executive director of the Detroit Health Department. His campaign is drawing attention among progressive Democrats as the race takes shape.

Candidates in Sunday's New Jersey debate clashed over mental health policy, affordability, and stock trades, in a race drawing close attention as a bellwether for the region's politics. Coverage of the exchange highlights affordability and personal finances as key themes voters are watching heading into the election.

Lisa Demuth, a Republican candidate for governor of Minnesota, has come out against the war with Iran, saying it is hurting Minnesotans. Her comments break with the more hawkish wing of her party and frame the conflict in terms of its costs at home, from economic strain to resources diverted from state priorities.

Candidates running for governor of Arkansas are centering their campaigns on three main policy areas: healthcare, education, and the state's prison system. Local coverage from Arkansas-focused outlets highlights how the contenders are laying out their positions on these issues as the race develops, with voters expected to weigh their records and proposals ahead of the election.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and Republican challenger Peter Fazio answered questions about the state's business climate in a public forum covered by WTNH. The exchange focused on how each candidate would approach taxes, regulation and economic conditions for companies in Connecticut ahead of the election.

Alaska's gubernatorial candidates took part in a discussion focused on the state's energy future as part of the 'Addressing Alaskans' series. The forum covered how the state should develop its energy resources and what direction policy should take under the next governor. Energy is a central issue in the race given Alaska's economy and natural resource base.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear appeared alongside Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval during the Cincinnati stop of his book tour. The two politicians shared the stage at the event, drawing attention from local audiences and media. Beshear, a prominent national figure in the Democratic Party, has been touring to promote his book, and the joint appearance with Pureval underscored his continued visibility beyond Kentucky.

Colorado attorney general and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Weiser answered questions from voters at a 9NEWS town hall, addressing affordability, healthcare and environmental issues. The event gave residents a chance to press the candidate directly on kitchen-table concerns that are expected to dominate the state's upcoming gubernatorial race.

Spain's central bank says governor Pablo Hernández de Cos has serious backing in the contest to become the next president of the European Central Bank. The statement signals Madrid is actively promoting its candidate as European governments weigh who should succeed Christine Lagarde when her term ends.

Zohran Mamdani plans to appear alongside Governor Kathy Hochul as New York heads into Election Day, a joint campaign push that highlights Hochul's public backing of the mayoral candidate. The pairing is drawing attention as a show of party unity in a high-stakes New York race, with both figures expected to court voters together in the final stretch of campaigning.

Candidates in Sunday's New Jersey debate clashed over mental health policy, affordability and stock trades, offering voters a range of proposals on cost-of-living issues. Coverage of the exchange highlighted remarks and clashes that may have been missed by viewers, with affordability and mental health emerging as central themes in the gubernatorial contest.

Illinois state senator and gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is calling on Governor JB Pritzker to keep the Choate Mental Health Center in Anna open, pressing the state to maintain the facility's mental health services. The appeal puts the future of the southern Illinois institution at the center of a political exchange over state healthcare commitments.

Byron Donalds, the Florida congressman and gubernatorial candidate, is drawing criticism from local college students in Tallahassee over his positions on ICE and immigration. Students voiced concerns about his hardline approach to enforcement and its impact on immigrant communities, adding a campus voice to the debate over his campaign platform.

Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey spoke out about staffing and service cuts at the Choate Mental Health & Developmental Center in southern Illinois. He raised concerns about the impact on vulnerable residents and local employment in the community. The comments add mental health facility funding to the issues shaping the Illinois governor's race.

Colorado attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Phil Weiser took part in a 9NEWS town hall, where voters pressed him on affordability, healthcare and environmental issues. The forum gave residents a direct chance to question Weiser on kitchen-table concerns as well as climate and conservation policy, topics likely to feature heavily in his campaign. His answers and tone at the event are being closely watched by Colorado voters and political observers.

Florida congressman and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds said he would have participated in a debate with rival David Jolly at the Sunshine Economy Summit, a Florida economic policy event. The remark comes as Donalds and Jolly, the former Republican congressman now running as a Democrat, position themselves in the 2026 race for Florida governor. The comment frames Donalds as willing to face his rival directly, while raising questions about debate scheduling in the campaign.

A Democratic legislator from Newcastle says Governor Mills retaliated against her after she endorsed independent candidate Rick Bennett. The accusation, reported by Spectrum News, adds to political tensions around the governor and Bennett's independent run. Details of the alleged retaliation and any response from Mills have not been laid out in the reporting so far.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear made a stop in Bowling Green as part of his book tour, where he spoke about his faith and hinted at his political future. Local coverage focused on his comments about what may come next in his career, fueling speculation about possible national ambitions. Residents attended the event to hear him discuss the book and his outlook.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, widely viewed as a potential Democratic presidential contender, is set to speak about kindness at a book event on Friday. The appearance adds to speculation about his national ambitions, as potential candidates often use book tours to build profile and connect with voters ahead of a possible 2028 campaign.

Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton are scheduled to meet in a televised debate in the race for California governor, according to the New York Times. The contest to succeed Gavin Newsom is drawing attention as the two candidates prepare to make their cases to voters directly, with the debate seen as a key moment in the campaign.

Colt Shelby, a candidate in the Arkansas gubernatorial race, appeared on Talk Business & Politics, joining columnist John Brummett for a discussion of the campaign. The segment covered Shelby's candidacy and the state of the governor's race, with Brummett offering political analysis alongside the candidate interview.