Democrats were looking to secure control of a majority of US governorships for the first time in two decades in Tuesday's midterm elections, hoping to capitalise on voter dissatisfaction over the economy, inflation, healthcare and the future of democracy.
Votes were being counted in high-profile gubernatorial races across the country as polling stations closed in more than 25 states, including Georgia, Texas, Ohio and Florida, where some of the nation's most expensive contests were held.
The unusually large number of competitive races reflected President Donald Trump's low approval ratings, which have weighed on Republican candidates. The contests spanned heavily populated states, presidential battlegrounds such as Michigan and Wisconsin, and traditionally Republican strongholds including Iowa and Ohio.
In Florida, Republicans retained control as US Representative Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who later became an independent before running as a Democrat. Florida is the country's third-most populous state and has remained a Republican stronghold for much of the past two decades.
In the weeks before Election Day, Trump visited heavily Republican areas and addressed rallies alongside GOP gubernatorial candidates seeking his support.
A total of 36 states, representing about 80 percent of the US population, were electing governors on Tuesday. The governorships were open in 19 states.
Before the elections, Democratic governors represented 60 percent of the country's population, while Republicans controlled 26 of the 50 governorships.
"Our goal is not just the majority of the population, but the majority of states," Meghan Meehan-Draper, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), told The Associated Press.
Democrats last secured a majority of governorships in 2006, when they captured six additional offices in the final midterm elections under a Republican president's second term. Republicans regained the majority four years later.
An increase in Democratic-led states could mean more governors challenging or resisting Trump's agenda.
The president has tested the authority of state governments, particularly those led by Democrats, over issues including National Guard deployments, immigration operations, conditions attached to federal aid and efforts to expand federal control over election requirements, including restrictions on mail voting.
A dozen races considered highly competitive
Democrats' strongest opportunities to gain governorships were in Alaska, Georgia, Iowa and Ohio, where incumbent governors were barred from seeking another term, and in Nevada, where state Attorney General Aaron Ford challenged Republican Governor Joe Lombardo.
Georgia and Alaska have not elected a Democratic governor since 1998, while Iowa and Ohio have not done so since 2006.
Republicans' best opportunity to capture a governorship was in Kansas, a traditionally Republican state where Democratic Governor Laura Kelly was barred from seeking another term.
Wisconsin was another key target for Republicans, where US Representative Tom Tiffany challenged Democrat David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive who narrowly won his party's primary.
Republicans were also eyeing Michigan's open governorship and Oregon, where Democratic Governor Tina Kotek faced a second challenge from Republican state Senator Christine Drazan.
Democrats, meanwhile, saw opportunities in Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska.
Ohio and Texas races draw national attention
Ohio's gubernatorial contest attracted national attention after Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign released an advertisement featuring criticism of Democrat Amy Acton by her estranged mother.
Acton's mother had lost custody of her children decades ago after her husband, Acton's stepfather, was indicted for raping Acton when she was a child.
The advertisement drew criticism from both parties, including Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Trump, however, praised it, while Vice President JD Vance, who is from Ohio, defended the campaign advertisement.
In Texas, where no Democrat has won a statewide election since 1994, Democratic state Representative Gina Hinojosa mounted a competitive challenge against third-term Republican Governor Greg Abbott.
Hinojosa had initially been considered a long shot after emerging from the primary with only a fraction of Abbott's campaign funds.
In September, a group of Latino politicians and political figures appealed to the Democratic Governors Association for $10 million in campaign support, arguing that Hinojosa had made the race competitive.
The DGA provided $1 million, considerably less than its spending in Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Abbott notably skipped Trump's rally in Texas, reflecting the president's unpopularity in the state.
Big states and presidential battlegrounds in focus
Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul secured reelection in New York, while Democrat Xavier Becerra, a former US secretary of health and human services, was expected to win comfortably in California.
Control of the executive branch was also at stake in six states that were battlegrounds in the 2024 presidential election — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The governors elected in these states could play a significant role in administering the 2028 presidential election, particularly amid Trump's efforts to expand federal authority over election procedures.
Meanwhile, three Democratic governors considered potential presidential contenders in 2028 — Wes Moore of Maryland, JB Pritzker of Illinois and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania — all won reelection.
Analysts said securing a decisive victory, demonstrating strong fundraising capacity and helping other Democrats win elections could send an important signal to donors and party activists.
2026 elections could produce several firsts
The elections also offered opportunities to break historical barriers.
In Texas, Hinojosa was seeking to become the state's first Latina governor, while Deb Haaland of New Mexico was hoping to become the first Native American woman to lead a US state.
Several states were also poised to elect Black governors. Seven Black major-party gubernatorial nominees were on Tuesday's ballots, in addition to Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
Only three elected governors in the country's 250-year history have been Black.