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Gubernatorial elections, 2027: Difference between revisions

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'''There {{Greener|start=11/02/2027 9:00pm CDT|before=are|after=were}} three [[Governor (state executive office)|gubernatorial seats]] on the ballot in 2027.''' These elections {{Greener|start=11/02/2027 9:00pm CDT|before=are|after=were}} in [[Kentucky gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2027|Kentucky]],  [[Louisiana gubernatorial election, 2027|Louisiana]], and [[Mississippi gubernatorial election, 2027|Mississippi]].
'''There {{Greener|start=11/02/2027 9:00pm CDT|before=are|after=were}} three [[Governor (state executive office)|gubernatorial seats]] on the ballot in 2027.''' These elections {{Greener|start=11/02/2027 9:00pm CDT|before=are|after=were}} in [[Kentucky gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2027|Kentucky]],  [[Louisiana gubernatorial election, 2027|Louisiana]], and [[Mississippi gubernatorial election, 2027|Mississippi]].


==Seats up for election==
<div class="mt-5 bp-intro-text">
<div class="mt-0 mb-3 ml-4 h2 font-weight-bold">Explore Ballotpedia's coverage of these elections:</div>
{{BPcards_InPageNav
|numCards=4
|numColumns=3
 
|card1-link=#Partisan_balance
|card1-title=Partisan balance
|card1-text=The partisan balance of U.S. governors
 
|card2-link=#On_the_ballot
|card2-title=On the ballot
|card2-text=A list of elections and candidates on the ballot
 
|card3-link=#Trifectas_and_triplexes
|card3-title=Trifectas and triplexes
|card3-text=Information on trifectas and triplexes
<!--
|card4-link=#Important_dates_and_deadlines
|card4-title=Important dates and deadlines
|card4-text=A list of important dates and deadlines for the 2027 election cycle-->
 
|card4-link=#About_the_office
|card4-title=About the office
|card4-text=Information about governors across all 50 states
 
}}
</div>
==Partisan balance==
The following chart displays the number of governors' offices held by each party before and after the 2027 elections.<br>
 
<datatable
  caption="U.S. governors partisan breakdown" width="60%"
>
|-
! Party
! bg="rep" align="right" | As of {{#time:F Y}}
! align="right" | After the 2027 elections
|-
|bg="dem"| Democratic||24||''TBD''
|-
|bg="rep"| Republican||26||''TBD''
|- footer
| '''Total''' || bg="rep"| '''50'''||'''50'''</datatable>
<br><br>
The chart below shows historical partisan breakdown information for governors.
 
<html><iframe title="Partisan control of governorships, 1977-2024" aria-label="Interactive line chart" id="datawrapper-chart-GXvrp" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/GXvrp/10/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="423" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}))}();
</script></html>
==On the ballot==
Click the tabs below to view information about the elections this year. In this section, you will find:
 
*A list of seats up for election
*A list of candidates running
*Ballotpedia's Sample Ballot Lookup Tool
{{Template:BPtabbed
|tabs-id=Elections
|count=3
|tab-1-label=Seats up for election
|tab-panel-1-content=
<!--DELETE NOTE: Some states' governors hold two-year terms. In those cases, the number of Democratic and Republican seats up for election won't be known until after the election. If you know the total number of Ds and Rs running in 2027, you do not need to hide the first sentence below. If you do not know the total number of Ds and Rs running in 2027, keep the sentence hidden.-->
<!--DELETE NOTE: Some states' governors hold two-year terms. In those cases, the number of Democratic and Republican seats up for election won't be known until after the election. If you know the total number of Ds and Rs running in 2027, you do not need to hide the first sentence below. If you do not know the total number of Ds and Rs running in 2027, keep the sentence hidden.-->


There {{Greener|start=11/02/2027 9:00pm CDT|before=are|after=were}} two Republican-held seats and one Democratic-held seat up for election in 2027. The table <!--and map--> below show which states {{Greener|start=11/02/2027 9:00pm CDT|before=are holding|after=held}} gubernatorial elections in 2027.
There {{Greener|start=11/02/2027 9:00pm CDT|before=are|after=were}} two Republican-held seats and one Democratic-held seat up for election in 2027. The table <!--and map--> below show which states {{Greener|start=11/02/2027 9:00pm CDT|before=are holding|after=held}} gubernatorial elections in 2027.
{{USGovernor2027list}}
{{USGovernor2027list}}
|tab-2-label=List of candidates
|tab-panel-2-content=
<section begin=List of candidates/>The table below contains a list of all candidates for governor in 2027. The table is fully searchable by '''candidate, party''' and '''candidacy status.''' Depending on the size of your screen, you'll either see a menu to the left of the table or an arrow at the top right corner, which you can use to select a state.
<APIWidget
    template="CandidateListData"
where="races.year = '2027' AND races.type = 'Regular' AND (offices.name LIKE 'Governor%' )"
    extra_params='{
        "title": "Candidates - 2027",
        "noResultText": "No candidates available for this selection",
        "showDisclaimer": true,
"asideText": "These tables include candidates from the 2027 regular elections who are running for governor. The candidates are from various states across the country.",
        "disclaimerText": "The dates in this table refer to when candidates were added to our database.",
        "columns": ["candidate", "party", "office", "status"],
        "height": "HFULL",
        "tableStyle": "table-responsive table-scrollable table-hover sortable F400",
        "groupCandidatesBy": ["Governor"],
        "responsive": true,
        "enableSearch": true,
        "showState": false,
        "enablePagination": true,
        "pageSize": 10,
        "candidateTypes": ["state", "district","territory"],
"inTabs":true
    }'
/><section end=List of candidates/>
|tab-3-label=What's on your ballot?
|tab-panel-3-content=
{{Sample Ballot Search}}}}
==Trifectas and triplexes==
The office of governor is a component of both [[State government trifectas|trifectas]] and [[State government triplexes|triplexes]]. Click the tabs below to view the current status of trifectas and triplexes across the country.
{{Template:BPtabbed
|tabs-id=Fundraising
|count=2
|tab-1-label=Trifectas
|tab-panel-1-content=
:''See also: [[State government trifectas]]''
State government trifecta is a term to describe single-party government, when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.
<APIWidget template="TrifectaTriplexSentence" where="'a' = 'a' " extra_params='{"scope":"nation", "type":"trifecta"}' />
{{#section: State government trifectas|map}}
|tab-2-label=Triplexes
|tab-panel-2-content=
:''See also: [[State government triplexes]]''
A '''state government triplex''' is a term used to describe when a state's governor, attorney general, and secretary of state are all members of the same party. {{#section:State government triplexes|intro}}
{{#lst:State government triplexes|triplexexec}}
}}
<!--
==Important dates and deadlines==
The table below lists important dates throughout the 2027 election cycle, including filing deadlines and primary dates.
{{Statewide filing and primary dates, 2027}}-->


==About the office==
==About the office==
::''See also: [[Governor (state executive office)]]''
::''See also: [[Governor (state executive office)]]''
{{#lst:Governor (state executive office)|intro}}
In the United States, the title '''''governor''''' refers to the chief executive of each state. The governor is not directly subordinate to the federal authorities but is the political and ceremonial head of the state. The governor may also assume additional roles, such as the commander-in-chief of the National Guard when the role is not federalized. The governor may also have the ability to commute or pardon a criminal sentence. 
{{#lst:Governor (state executive office)|maps2}}
 
In all states, the governor is directly elected and, in most cases, has considerable practical powers. Notable exceptions with weak governorships include the office of the governor in [[Governor of Texas|Texas]], though this may be moderated by the [[state legislature]] and, in some cases, by other elected executive officials. Governors can veto state bills. The specific duties and powers vary widely between states.
 
{{Template:BPtabbed
|tabs-id=OfficeStateComparisons
|count=6
 
|tab-1-label=Compensation
|tab-panel-1-content=
<html><center><html><iframe title="Gubernatorial salaries by state, 2023" aria-label="Map" id="datawrapper-chart-M8a5J" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/M8a5J/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 55% !important; border: none;" height="400" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></center></html>
<br>
According to compensation figures for 2023 compiled by the Council of State Governments in the ''Book of the States'', the highest salary for a governor was $250,000 in [[Governor of New York|New York]] while the lowest was $70,000 in [[Governor of Maine|Maine]]. To view the compensation of a particular governor, hover your mouse over the state.<ref name=2023salary>[https://bookofthestates.org/ ''Book of the States'', "2023 edition: Chapter 4 - Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 18, 2024]</ref>
 
|tab-2-label=Vacancy fill offices
|tab-panel-2-content=
<section begin=govvacancymap/>{{GovernorVacancyFillMap}}<section end=govvacancymap/>
 
|tab-3-label=Staff size
|tab-panel-3-content=
<html><center><iframe title="Governors: Size of staff" aria-label="Map" id="datawrapper-chart-qwojO" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/qwojO/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 55% !important; border: none;" height="400" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(e){if(void 0!==e.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var a in e.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<t.length;r++){if(t[r].contentWindow===e.source)t[r].style.height=e.data["datawrapper-height"][a]+"px"}}}))}();
</script></center></html><br>
According to figures for 2022 compiled by the Council of State Governments in the ''Book of the States'', gubernatorial offices range in size from 9 staffers in [[Governor of Nebraska|Nebraska]] to 277 staffers in [[Governor of Texas|Texas]].<ref name=BotS2022>Council of State Governments' ''Book of the States 2022 Table 4.3: The Governors: Compensation, Staff, Travel and Residence'' provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel</ref><!--<ref>Council of State Governments' ''Book of the States 2022 Table 4.3: The Governors: Compensation, Staff, Travel and Residence'' provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel</ref><ref>[http://knowledgecenter.csg.org/kc/system/files/4.3.2017.pdf ''Council of State Governments'', "Book of the States 2017 - The Governors: Compensation, Staff, Travel, and Residence," accessed December 3, 2017]</ref>-->
 
|tab-4-label=Involvement in budget proposals
|tab-panel-4-content=
<html><center><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-bvnyD" src="//datawrapper.dwcdn.net/bvnyD/3/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 55% !important; border: none;" height="400" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(e){if(void 0!==e.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var a in e.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<t.length;r++){if(t[r].contentWindow===e.source)t[r].style.height=e.data["datawrapper-height"][a]+"px"}}}))}();
</script></center></html>
<br>
Although all governors have some involvement in the process of developing a state budget, the specific level of involvement differs from state to state. According to information published in the 2022 ''Book of the States'', 24 governors share responsibility for developing a budget proposal, while 11 governors have full responsibility for developing an initial budget proposal and the remaining 15 have full responsibility for developing a budget.<ref name=BotS2022B>Council of State Governments' ''Book of the States 2022 Table 4.4: The Governors: Powers'' provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel</ref><!--<ref>[http://knowledgecenter.csg.org/kc/system/files/4.4.2017.pdf ''Council of State Governments'', "Book of the States 2017 - The Governors: Powers," accessed December 3, 2017]</ref>-->
 
|tab-5-label=Term limits
|tab-panel-5-content=
::''See also: [[States with gubernatorial term limits]]''
<html><center><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-LDvjK" src="//datawrapper.dwcdn.net/LDvjK/5/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 55% !important; border: none;" height="400" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(e){if(void 0!==e.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var a in e.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<t.length;r++){if(t[r].contentWindow===e.source)t[r].style.height=e.data["datawrapper-height"][a]+"px"}}}))}();
</script></center></html>
<br>
Most states impose some form of term limits on governors; of those that do, all but [[Governor of Virginia|Virginia]] limit a governor to two four-year terms or to eight years in office. Although most states' term limit laws allow a governor who has served two terms to be elected once again after time has elapsed, some states impose a lifetime term limit like that on the presidency. Although [[Governor of Vermont|Vermont]] and [[Governor of New Hampshire|New Hampshire]] do not have term limit laws, they are the only states whose governors serve two-year terms rather than four-year terms.
 
|tab-6-label=Line-item veto powers
|tab-panel-6-content=
<html><center><iframe title="Line-item veto powers by state" aria-label="Map" id="datawrapper-chart-iJOQA" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/iJOQA/3/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 55% !important; border: none;" height="400" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(e){if(void 0!==e.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var a in e.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<t.length;r++){if(t[r].contentWindow===e.source)t[r].style.height=e.data["datawrapper-height"][a]+"px"}}}))}();
</script></center></html>
<br>
The term [[Line item veto authority|''line-item veto'']] refers to the ability of a governor or other chief executive to veto specific parts of a bill while signing the rest of the bill into law. Currently, 44 states grant their governors line-item veto powers.<ref name=BotS2022B/><!--<ref>[http://www.ncsl.org/research/fiscal-policy/gubernatorial-veto-authority-with-respect-to-major.aspx ''National Conference of State Legislatures'', "Gubernatorial Veto Authority with Respect to Major Budget Bill(s)," accessed June 2, 2017]</ref>-->
<section end=maps2/><section end=maps/>
}}


==Election coverage by office==
==Election coverage by office==
Line 18: Line 175:


==See also==
==See also==
*[[State executive official elections, 2027]]
*Past gubernatorial elections: [[Gubernatorial elections, 2026|2026]] • [[Gubernatorial elections, 2025|2025]] • [[Gubernatorial elections, 2024|2024]] • [[Gubernatorial elections, 2023|2023]] • [[Gubernatorial elections, 2022|2022]] • [[Gubernatorial elections, 2021|2021]] • [[Gubernatorial elections, 2020|2020]] • [[Gubernatorial elections, 2019|2019]] • [[Gubernatorial elections, 2018|2018]] • [[Gubernatorial elections, 2017|2017]] • [[Gubernatorial elections, 2016|2016]]
*[[Gubernatorial elections, 2025]]
*Past state executive elections: [[State executive official elections, 2026|2026]] • [[State executive official elections, 2025|2025]] • [[State executive official elections, 2024|2024]] • [[State executive official elections, 2023|2023]] • [[State executive official elections, 2022|2022]] • [[State executive official elections, 2021|2021]] • [[State executive official elections, 2020|2020]] • [[State executive official elections, 2019|2019]] • [[State executive official elections, 2018|2018]] • [[State executive official elections, 2017|2017]] • [[State executive official elections, 2016|2016]]
*[[State executive official elections, 2025]]
*Past election analysis: [[Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026|2026]] • [[Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2025|2025]] • [[Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2024|2024]] • [[Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2023|2023]] • [[Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2022|2022]] • [[Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2021|2021]] • [[Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2020|2020]] • [[Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2019|2019]] • [[Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2018|2018]]
*[[Republican Party gubernatorial primaries, 2027]]
*[[Democratic Party gubernatorial primaries, 2027]]


==Footnotes==
==Footnotes==

Latest revision as of 13:59, 8 August 2025

Elections Navigation
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State Executive Officials
State executive elections by position and year:

There are three gubernatorial seats on the ballot in 2027. These elections are in Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Explore Ballotpedia's coverage of these elections:
  • Partisan balance
    The partisan balance of U.S. governors
    Read more
  • On the ballot
    A list of elections and candidates on the ballot
    Read more
  • Trifectas and triplexes
    Information on trifectas and triplexes
    Read more
  • About the office
    Information about governors across all 50 states
    Read more


Partisan balance

The following chart displays the number of governors' offices held by each party before and after the 2027 elections.

U.S. governors partisan breakdown
Party As of September 2025 After the 2027 elections
Democratic 24 TBD
Republican 26 TBD
Total 50 50



The chart below shows historical partisan breakdown information for governors.

On the ballot

Click the tabs below to view information about the elections this year. In this section, you will find:

  • A list of seats up for election
  • A list of candidates running
  • Ballotpedia's Sample Ballot Lookup Tool

There are two Republican-held seats and one Democratic-held seat up for election in 2027. The table below show which states are holding gubernatorial elections in 2027.

2027 Gubernatorial Races
State Current Incumbent Term-limited (Y/N)
Kentucky Andy Beshear Yes
Louisiana Jeff Landry No
Mississippi Tate Reeves Yes

Trifectas and triplexes

The office of governor is a component of both trifectas and triplexes. Click the tabs below to view the current status of trifectas and triplexes across the country.

See also: State government trifectas

State government trifecta is a term to describe single-party government, when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.

As of September 7, 2025, there are 23 Republican trifectas, 15 Democratic trifectas, and 12 divided governments where neither party holds trifecta control.

About the office

See also: Governor (state executive office)

In the United States, the title governor refers to the chief executive of each state. The governor is not directly subordinate to the federal authorities but is the political and ceremonial head of the state. The governor may also assume additional roles, such as the commander-in-chief of the National Guard when the role is not federalized. The governor may also have the ability to commute or pardon a criminal sentence.

In all states, the governor is directly elected and, in most cases, has considerable practical powers. Notable exceptions with weak governorships include the office of the governor in Texas, though this may be moderated by the state legislature and, in some cases, by other elected executive officials. Governors can veto state bills. The specific duties and powers vary widely between states.


According to compensation figures for 2023 compiled by the Council of State Governments in the Book of the States, the highest salary for a governor was $250,000 in New York while the lowest was $70,000 in Maine. To view the compensation of a particular governor, hover your mouse over the state.[1]

Election coverage by office

Click the tiles below to navigate to 2027 election coverage:
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    Recalls
    Read more

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Book of the States, "2023 edition: Chapter 4 - Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 18, 2024
  2. ↑ Council of State Governments' Book of the States 2022 Table 4.3: The Governors: Compensation, Staff, Travel and Residence provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Council of State Governments' Book of the States 2022 Table 4.4: The Governors: Powers provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
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