Only 32 U.S. states have had a woman governor. Virginia will mark the 33rd when either Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears wins the gubernatorial election in November. To date, 51 (31D, 20R) women have served as state governors. In addition, women have served as governors of Guam and Puerto Rico. The first woman governor in 17...

Two women veterans are on gubernatorial ballots in 2025. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) served in the U.S. Navy, and Winsome Earle-Sears (R-VA) served in the U.S. Marines. They are two of four women veterans who have been major-party nominees for governor since 2010. In 2022, Theresa Livingston (D), an Air Force veteran, was unsuccessful in her bid for governor of...

Two (2D) congresswomen are major-party nominees for governor in 2025 in New Jersey and Virginia. U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill (D) is the Democratic nominee for governor of New Jersey. She was first elected to the U.S. House in 2018 and is currently serving her fourth term representing New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. Former U.S. Representative...