The 7 Key Governor Races to Watch in the Midterm Elections

Governor's races in several states rank among the tightest and most consequential midterm contests, in a year when the White House party is historically vulnerable. Time reports Democrats could win in Ohio, Alaska and Texas after decades without doing so, while a Republican has a shot in Oregon, which Democrats have held since 1982.

In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is in a close race with Democrat Amy Acton, who led the state health department during Covid-19. Republicans had counted on the seat after Donald Trump won Ohio by 11 points in 2024. Then a Ramaswamy ad featuring Acton's estranged mother, who lost custody after Acton's stepfather was indicted for raping her as a child, drew widespread outrage. The Cook Political Report now rates it a toss-up, and an Acton win would be Ohio's first elected Democratic governor in 20 years.

In Alaska, Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins gained ground when fellow Democrat Tom Begich quit and endorsed him; Cook rates the race Lean Democrat. Three Republicans, including Trump-backed Bernadette Wilson, remain. In Texas, polls show narrow leads for both Gov. Greg Abbott and Democrat Gina Hinojosa.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Time’s reporting. Read the full story at Time →