Historic gains: record number of women elected as governors

At least eight Democratic women were projected to win their gubernatorial contests, alongside two Republican women: Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Tennessee Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn.

Democrats secured unexpected wins in key battleground states, with Amy Acton in Ohio and state Representative Gina Hinojosa in Texas emerging as victors in races initially considered uncompetitive.

Hinojosa addressed her supporters, stating: “I am a daughter of the Rio Grande Valley, where the people embody the work ethic and values of our great state, where no one would have imagined that one day, a little girl from the RGV would stand before you here as the next governor of the greatest state, Texas. But God had a plan, and the people of Texas had a plan, too.”

Amy Acton (Ohio), Gina Hinojosa (Texas), Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee), Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota), Helena Foulkes (Rhode Island), and Keisha Lance Bottoms (Georgia) all secured governorships currently held by men.

Georgia voters were the first to celebrate, electing Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor and advisor to former President Joe Biden, as the first Black female governor in U.S. history. Bottoms referenced the song “If I Were Your Woman” during her victory speech, saying, “Georgia, I have said over the past few days: If I were your woman…Well, now I am your woman, and here is what I will do: I will never, ever, ever stop loving you.”

Hannah Pingree was projected to win in Maine, ensuring a woman remains in the state’s highest office following Janet Mills’ two terms. Maura Healey in Massachusetts and Kathy Hochul in New York were also re-elected.

Several races, including those in Oregon and New Hampshire, remained undecided late into the night. These contests also featured two female major-party nominees.

The previous record of 14 female governors serving concurrently was set last year and maintained until now, with the anticipated additions of Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill following their 2025 election wins.