The 2026 midterm elections marked a historic breakthrough for women’s representation in state leadership, with voters electing women governors in record numbers and breaking longstanding barriers for women of color. From Georgia to New Mexico, several candidates made history as the first women, Black women, Native American women, and Latina women to lead their states.
In 2027, at least 17 women will serve as governors, representing at least 34% of all governors nationwide. This surpasses the previous record of 14 women governors. This year, 15 women won gubernatorial elections, including 12 Democrats and three Republicans. Two women remain in gubernatorial contests that are too close to call in Alaska and Kansas as of November 5.
Among the most significant victories was Keisha Lance Bottoms, who will become Georgia’s first woman governor and the first Black woman elected governor of any state. The former Atlanta mayor defeated businessman Rick Jackson, ending more than two decades of Republican control of the governor’s office. Bottoms’ victory represents a historic milestone for Black women, who have long been underrepresented in the nation’s highest state offices.
In New Mexico, Deb Haaland will become the first Native American woman governor in US history. A member of the Pueblo of Laguna, Haaland previously served as an US representative and as secretary of the Interior under the Biden administration, becoming the first Native American to lead a federal executive department. Her election also marks another milestone for New Mexico, which elected an all women of color gubernatorial ticket with Lieutenant Governor-elect Stephanie Garcia Richard.
Women also broke barriers in several states that had never elected a woman governor. Amy Klobuchar will become Minnesota’s first woman governor after defeating Lisa Demuth. In Ohio, Amy Acton became the first woman elected governor, defeating Vivek Ramaswamy. Although Nancy Hollister briefly served as Ohio’s governor through succession in 1998, Acton will be the first woman elected directly to the office.
In Tennessee, Marsha Blackburn will become the state’s first woman governor after defeating Jerri Green. Her victory marks another first for a state that has never elected a woman to its highest executive office.
The election also brought historic representation for Latina women. Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Greg Abbott to become Texas’ first Latina governor. Hinojosa’s election also represents a significant political shift in a state where Republicans have held the governorship for more than three decades.
Beyond these historic firsts, women secured victories and retained governorships across the country. Women governors will continue leading states including Arizona, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island, among others. Their victories demonstrate the growing presence of women in state executive leadership across party lines.
Despite this progress, women remain underrepresented in gubernatorial offices. Even with the record number of women entering office in 2027, they will hold about one-third of the nation’s governorships. According to CAWP, 14 states will still have never had a woman governor.
This election highlights the importance of women’s representation in elected office, particularly for women who have historically faced barriers to political leadership. While these victories do not eliminate the structural inequalities that continue to limit women’s political participation, they mark meaningful progress. Women showed up and broke barriers, and it’s only just the beginning.
