04.11.2026 17:26
In the US, the midterm elections during President Donald Trump's second term changed the political balances in state governments. Democrats achieved significant success in gubernatorial races, increasing their number of governors nationwide to 28. In the new picture, where Republicans remained in 20 governorships, historic changes occurred in many states, especially Texas.
The midterm elections held in the US changed not only the distribution of seats in Congress but also the political balances in state governments. Voters who went to the polls for governorships in 36 states ended Republican administrations that had continued for many years in many states. According to the announced results, Democrats won in 22 of the states where elections were held, raising their number of governorships nationwide to 28. The Republicans' number of governorships fell to 20.
DEMOCRATS ACHIEVE A FIRST AFTER 16 YEARS Before the elections in the US, Republican governors were serving in 26 of the 50 states and Democratic governors in 24. While governor's races were held in 36 states in the midterm elections, 18 of the states where polls were held were under Republican control and 18 under Democratic control.
With the election results, Democrats achieved a significant success by winning the governorships in the Republican-held states of Texas, Iowa, Ohio, and Georgia.
With Democrats raising their total number of governorships to 28, for the first time in 16 years in the US, more than half of the 50 states will be governed by Democratic governors. Republicans, meanwhile, fell from the 26 governorships they held before the elections to 20.
A FIRST IN TEXAS AFTER 30 YEARS: DEMOCRATS WIN THE GOVERNORSHIP The governorship changed hands in Texas, which had been under Republican control for about 30 years. Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated her Republican rival Greg Abbott and was elected the state's new governor. Thus, after about 30 years, Democrats once again took the governor's seat in Texas.
Greg Abbott had been serving as Governor of Texas since 2015 Gina Hinojosa became Texas's first Latina woman governor. FIRST BLACK GOVERNOR IN FLORIDA In Florida, one of the battleground states, Republican Byron Donalds defeated his Democratic rival David Jolly and was elected the state's first Black governor.
Donalds's victory marked a historic first in Florida while also ensuring that Republicans retained control of the state.
Byron Donalds FIRST BLACK GOVERNOR IN GEORGIA Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governor's race in Georgia, becoming the first Black governor in the state's history.
Keisha Lance Bottoms In Wisconsin, Democrat David Crowley was elected the state's first Black governor. Thus, a historic change took place in the governor's office in both states.
David Crowley A FIRST IN CALIFORNIA AFTER 151 YEARS In California, Democrat Xavier Becerra defeated his Republican rival Steve Hilton and became the state's new governor.
Becerra made history as the first person of Latin American origin elected to the governorship in California since 1875. This development, which occurred after about 151 years, was among the notable results of the elections.
Xavier Becerra (Center) BECOMES TENNESSEE'S FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR Republican Marsha Blackburn defeated her Democratic rival Jerri Green in Tennessee and was elected the state's first female governor.
Marsha Blackburn The historic firsts in the elections did not end there. Deb Haaland, who served as Secretary of the Interior during former U.S. President Joe Biden's term, won the governor's race in New Mexico and became the first Native American woman elected state governor in U.S. history.
Deb Haaland A NEW POLITICAL BALANCE FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION Democrats, who won a significant portion of the governorships in the midterm elections, increased their weight in state governments. The losses in states where Republicans are traditionally strong also drew attention in terms of the political balances during the Trump administration's second term.
With the new picture, Democrats' influence in state governments is expected to increase, while it is assessed that new political debates may arise between the federal government and the states, especially on immigration, public policies, and governance powers.