Primary elections were held on Tuesday in four states: Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, and South Carolina. Full context about women in the 2026 elections, including candidate lists, summaries, and historical comparisons, is available via the Center for American Women and Politics’ (CAWP) Election Watch . LAST UPDATE: 6/23/2026 at 10:15PM ET

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...

At least four women lieutenant governors are running for governor in 2025 or 2026. In 2025, Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears is the Republican nominee for governor. Already, three current lieutenant governors - Nancy Dahlstrom (R-AK), Pamela Evette (R-SC), and Sara Rodriguez (D-WI) - have announced their bids for governor in the 2026 cycle...

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...