In the 2026 midterm elections, there were 36 gubernatorial offices up for reelection. Of those, 21 will be new to the office (6 Republicans and 15 Democrats), which is tied for the third most of any election since 1962. In the last midterm election, voters elected only 10 new governors. Here is what we expect from the governors-elect based on the campaign trail and released agendas:
Governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms (D-Georgia) centered her campaign on affordability, and her proposals show exactly how she plans to deliver on those promises. Bottoms aims to expand Medicaid, increase teacher pay, and more, despite last year’s income tax rebate shrinking the state budget reserve by almost 50%. She also notes her goal to expand abortion and repeal Georgia’s six-week pre-born protections in the state, but recognizes the challenge of a Republican-controlled Senate. On the campaign, she mentioned allowing student campus IDs for voter registration, expanding gambling, and raising the minimum wage.
Over in the Sunshine State, Governor-elect Byron Donalds (R-Florida) has a pro-life record and is on record supporting the state’s Heartbeat Protection Act six-week protection. His campaign did not focus on furthering those protections; however, his opponent ran a staunchly pro-abortion message. Donalds focused instead on bolstering the economy and innovation in the state. He promised to keep income tax-free, focus on parental choice in education, bring NASA headquarters to Florida, target drug cartels with a task force, and publicize public contracts and high-ranking salaries.
Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa (D-Texas) has her eyes set on overhauling the education system. Under former leadership, Texas had taken significant strides towards expanding school choice, getting sexually explicit books out of school libraries, and bringing the Bible back into public schools. The future governor has been openly critical of these efforts and promised one of her first moves will be to remove the Texas education commissioner and “end the voucher scam.” This “scam” was a program started under Gov. Abbott that allowed students to use education funds beyond their local public school. As currently structured, she could defund the program with a line-item veto, bypassing a vote from the Republican held Senate.
On her campaign website, Governor-elect Amy Acton (D-Ohio) says she will “expand reproductive care” (a euphemism for abortion) as well as “stand up against discrimination” against the “LGBT community.” Acton spoke of several expensive proposals, requiring increased funding for healthcare and education. She appears open to the idea of expanding gambling in the state as a source of revenue but wants to “have the right regulatory environment around it.”
On the trail, Governor-elect Tommy Tuberville (R- Alabama) promised voters he would strongly protect taxpayer funds from going towards abortions, as he was a leader on this issue during his time in the U.S. Senate. His plans also include a widespread expansion of school choice programs in Alabama and getting “woke ideology” out of public schools. On affordability, the future governor proposes ending the grocery tax and lowering the state income tax. Tuberville also took direct aim at child predators, promising to “lock them up” with no early releases. His first session goal is to require background checks for anyone who works with children and ensure app platforms give parents the tools they need to keep their kids safe, which is a Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee state priority.
The newly elected Governor of Wisconsin, David Crowley (D-Wisconsin), was unafraid to place abortion as a central issue in his campaign. He said on the trail, “I am making a commitment that as governor I will work with the Legislature to put a constitutional amendment that explicitly protects reproductive freedom in the state of Wisconsin.” The legislature would have to approve the amendment in two consecutive sessions in addition to a majority vote on the ballot. Wisconsin already allows abortions up to 20 weeks gestation.
As governors-elect prepare to take office, state-level policy battles are already taking shape. From abortion and school choice to parental rights and child safety, the priorities of these new administrations will have real consequences for families across the country. Concerned Women for America leaders are preparing for the 2027 legislative sessions, ready to engage with lawmakers, testify at hearings, and advocate for policies that uphold Biblical principles and protect families. New faces may bring new challenges and opportunities, but CWA’s commitment to bringing the Truth of God’s Word into every conversation remains unchanged.
