Voters in 17 States Elect Female Governors, Shattering Previous Record
Democratic candidates took key seats in Texas and Ohio, while incumbent women in Massachusetts, New York, and Arizona secured re-election.
By Ella Cox ·
Seventeen states elected female governors in the Tuesday election, a total that surpasses the previous high of 14 women serving in the office simultaneously. The record was last reached briefly last year and sustained through the following year after Democrats Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey took office following their 2025 victories.
At least 10 Democratic women were projected to win their respective races, while three Republican women also secured victories. The Republican wins include incumbent Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte, and Tennessee Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn. Several contests, including the race in Oregon, remained uncalled close to 2 a.m. ET. The Oregon race featured two female major-party nominees competing for the top seat.
Democratic candidates achieved notable results in states where their party is typically less dominant. Former public health official Amy Acton won the governorship in Ohio. State Representative Gina Hinojosa won in Texas. Both races were not initially expected to be competitive for the party. In her victory speech, Hinojosa described herself as a daughter of the Rio Grande Valley. She stated that the people of Texas had a plan for her to become the next governor.
Six women defeated men currently holding their governorships. In addition to Acton and Hinojosa, the victors included Tennessee's Marsha Blackburn, Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar, Rhode Island's Helena Foulkes, and Georgia's Keisha Lance Bottoms. Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor and adviser to former President Joe Biden, will become the first Black female governor in U.S. history.
Bottoms addressed supporters in her victory speech on Tuesday night. She referenced the 1971 song "If I Were Your Woman." She told the crowd, "Well, now I am your woman, and here is what I will do: I will never, ever, ever stop loving you." She thanked Georgia for electing her as governor.
In other states, women retained the highest statewide offices. Hannah Pingree was projected to win in Maine, continuing the presence of women in that governor's office after the two terms of Janet Mills. Jocelyn Benson, the Secretary of State, was projected to hold the governor's mansion in Michigan, succeeding Gretchen Whitmer. Maura Healey in Massachusetts, Kathy Hochul in New York, and Katie Hobbs in Arizona were all re-elected to their positions.
The previous record of 14 female governors was achieved after the 2025 elections. The new count of 17 reflects a shift in statewide leadership across multiple regions, with both parties contributing to the increased number of women in these roles.
