2026 United States lieutenant gubernatorial elections

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2026 United States lieutenant gubernatorial elections
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November 3, 2026
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10 lieutenant governorships [a]
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Seats before116
Seats up82
2026 United States lieutenant governor elections map.svg
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The 2026 United States lieutenant gubernatorial elections are scheduled to be held on November 3, 2026, in 31 states and three territories. The previous lieutenant gubernatorial elections for this group of states took place in 2022, except in Vermont, where lieutenant governors serve two-year terms and elected their lieutenant governor in 2024. Twenty-four lieutenant governors run on the same ticket as the governor.

Contents

Partisan composition

Going into the election, there are 11 Republican lieutenant governors and 6 Democratic lieutenant governors in the United States. This class of lieutenant governors is made up of 8 Republicans and 2 Democrats. Republicans are defending one lieutenant governorship in a state that Kamala Harris won in 2024 (Vermont), while there are no states with Democratic lieutenant governors which Donald Trump won. [1]

Race summary

StateLieutenant governorPartyFirst electedLast raceStatusCandidates
Alabama Will Ainsworth Republican201883.7% RTerm-limited
Arkansas Leslie Rutledge Republican 2022 64.2% RIncumbent running
California Eleni Kounalakis Democratic 2018 59.7% DTerm-limited
Georgia Burt Jones Republican 2022 51.4% R [15] Incumbent retiring to
run for governor [16]
Idaho Scott Bedke Republican 2022 64.4% R [25] Incumbent running
Nevada Stavros Anthony Republican 2022 49.4% R [27] Incumbent running
Oklahoma Matt Pinnell Republican 2018 61.9% R [30] Term-limited
Rhode Island Sabina Matos Democratic2021 [b] 50.9% D [38] Incumbent running
Texas Dan Patrick Republican 2014 53.8% R [43] Incumbent running
Vermont John Rodgers Republican 2024 [c] 48.8% R [46] Incumbent running

Alabama

The Alabama Republican primary election is May 19, 2026. Two-term incumbent Republican Will Ainsworth is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election. Declared Republican candidates include Secretary of State Wes Allen, pastor Dean Odle, and Economic Developer Dr. Nicole J. Wadsworth.

State Representative Phillip Ensler is running as a Democrat.

Arkansas

One-term incumbent Republican Leslie Rutledge is seeking re-election. [49]

California

Two-term incumbent Democrat Eleni Kounalakis is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election. Treasurer Fiona Ma, former state senator Steven Bradford, and former mayor Michael Tubbs have declared their intent to run as Democrats. [12] Businessman and 2024 runner up for CA-39 David Serpa had initially announced his declared his intent to run as a Republican in February 2025, but withdrew from the race on May 27, 2025 to run for governor. [50]

Georgia

One-term incumbent Republican Burt Jones was first elected in 2022 and was eligible to run for re-election. On July 8, 2025, he announced that he would run for governor in 2026 instead of seek reelection to a second term as lieutenant governor. [16]

Idaho

One-term incumbent Republican Scott Bedke was first elected in 2022. He is running for re-election. [26] Nonprofit founder Eric Myricks is a Democratic candidate.

Nevada

One-term incumbent Republican Stavros Anthony was elected in 2022 with 49.41% of the vote. He is running for re-election. [51] Assembly Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui is running in the Democratic primary. [29]

Oklahoma

Two-term incumbent Republican Matt Pinnell is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election. State senator Darrell Weaver is running in the Republican primary. [52]

Rhode Island

One-term incumbent Democrat Sabina Matos was elected in 2022 with 51.2% of the vote. She is running for re-election. [53] [42]

Texas

Three-term incumbent Republican Dan Patrick is running for re-election. [54] The Texas Constitution does not have term limits for any statewide office.

Vermont

One-term incumbent Republican John Rodgers was elected in 2024 with 48.76% of the vote. He is running for re-election. [48] Former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray will run against him. [47]

Notes

  1. ↑ Seat tallies and popular vote do not include states that do not elect lieutenant governors separately from governors.
  2. ↑ Matos took office after her predecessor, Dan McKee, resigned. She was subsequently elected in 2022.
  3. ↑ Since no candidate received a majority of the vote, Rodgers was ultimately elected by the Vermont General Assembly on January 9, 2025.

References

  1. ↑ "2024 Presidential Elections By State Margin of Victory". Fox News Elections. November 26, 2024. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Musical Chairs in Alabama Politics". August 21, 2024.
  3. ↑ Moseley, Brandon. "Patrick Bishop announces run for Lieutenant Governor". The Alabama Gazette. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  4. ↑ Vincent, JJ (May 27, 2025). "Retired Army Major announces bid for Lieutenant Governor". FOX 54. Retrieved June 23, 2025. Others in the race include: ... Community Advocate George Childress
  5. ↑ Barrett, Anna (December 18, 2025). "Phillip Ensler to seek Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor". Alabama Reflector . Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Former gubernatorial candidate announces bid for 2026 Alabama lieutenant governor's race". WAKA (TV) . January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  7. ↑ Taylor, Caleb (May 29, 2025). "Ag commissioner Rick Pate running for lieutenant governor in 2026". 1819 News. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  8. ↑ Sack, Wendy (May 22, 2025). "Dr. Nicole Wadsworth kicks off Alabama lieutenant governor campaign". The Cullman Tribune. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  9. ↑ "2026 Preferential Primary and Nonpartisan Judicial General Election". Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  10. ↑ Cadelago, Christopher (March 5, 2025). "Newsom's 'Sargent Shriver' running for California lieutenant governor". Politico . Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  11. ↑ Bajko, Matthew (December 13, 2023). "Out Sausalito councilmember Kellman runs for CA lt. gov". Bay Area Reporter . Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 "2026 California lieutenant governor race begins to take shape". Los Angeles Times . July 17, 2024.
  13. ↑ Belcher, Phyllis (October 13, 2025). "Democrats to hold meet-and-greet with Ma". Tehachapi News. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  14. ↑ Melhado, William (July 7, 2025). "Can this former rock star help California resist Trump as the second-in-command?". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Trump-backed Burt Jones wins race for Georgia Lieutenant Governor". November 9, 2022.
  16. 1 2 Darnell, Tim (July 8, 2025). "Lt. Gov. Burt Jones announces long-anticipated bid for governor". WANF . Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  17. 1 2 3 "Republican state Rep. David Clark joins growing race for lieutenant governor". WXIA-TV. August 13, 2025. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Republican State Sen. Greg Dolezal enters Georgia's lieutenant governor race". WABE . September 30, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  19. ↑ Prabhu, Maya (May 15, 2025). "Georgia Senate Republican leader launches campaign for lieutenant governor". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  20. ↑ Amy, Jeff (June 2, 2025). "John Kennedy, Georgia's top Senate Republican, joins race for lieutenant governor". Associated Press. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  21. ↑ Amy, Jeff (May 5, 2025). "Democrat Josh McLaurin announces run for Georgia lieutenant governor in 2026". Associated Press . Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  22. ↑ Tagami, Ty (June 2, 2025). "More candidates announce plans to run for Georgia Lieutenant Governor seat". Savannah Morning News . Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  23. ↑ Taylor, Justin (August 11, 2025). "Vidalia state senator declares run for lieutenant governor". The Current GA. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  24. ↑ Neely, Clay (September 18, 2025). "Tillery visits NTH, outlines bid for lieutenant governor". The Newnan Times-Herald . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Longtime Idaho House speaker Bedke wins lieutenant governor race". Idaho Statesman. November 10, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  26. 1 2 Johnston, Chloe (September 9, 2025). "Idaho Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke announces bid for 2026 re-election". KTVB . Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Nevada Lieutenant Governor Midterm Election 2022: Live Results and Updates". NBC News .
  28. ↑ Ross, McKenna (October 20, 2025). "Nevada Assembly Democrat announces run for lieutenant governor". Las Vegas Review-Journal . Retrieved October 20, 2025. Anthony is seeking re-election in 2026 to the second-in-command executive branch position.
  29. 1 2 "Nevada Assembly Majority Leader Jauregui announces run for lieutenant governor". Las Vegas Sun. October 20, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Oklahoma Election Results". The New York Times. November 6, 2018.
  31. ↑ "State Auditor Cindy Byrd files to run for Oklahoma's lieutenant governor seat". The Oklahoman. January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  32. ↑ Byrd, Suzie (May 22, 2025). "EHS Grad Kicks off campaign for Lieutenant Governor". Enid News & Eagle . Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  33. ↑ Hoberock, Barbara (August 20, 2025). "Five candidates seek Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor post • Oklahoma Voice". Oklahoma Voice. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  34. ↑ Krehbiel, Randy (September 7, 2025). "Political notebook: State tax revenue down slightly in August from previous year". Tulsa World . Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  35. ↑ Dowers, Graham (July 22, 2025). "State Rep. J.J. Humphrey enters 2026 race for Oklahoma lieutenant governor". KWTV-DT . Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  36. ↑ Ramos, Lionel (August 27, 2025). "More than two dozen people are running for statewide office in Oklahoma so far. Here's a list". KOSU . Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  37. ↑ Hoberock, Barbara (April 21, 2025). "Republican state senator announces bid for Oklahoma lieutenant governor". Oklahoma Voice. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Incumbent Sabina Matos wins Lieutenant governor position over Aaron Guckian". The Providence Journal. November 8, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  39. ↑ Donnis, Ian (November 12, 2025). "Providence City Councilor Sue AnderBois joins race for Rhode Island lieutenant governor". Ocean State Media . Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  40. ↑ Nesi, Ted (June 10, 2025). "Former State Sen. Cindy Coyne will run for RI lieutenant governor in 2026". WPRI-TV . Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Republican John Loughlin to Run for Lt. Governor". GoLocalProv . November 15, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  42. 1 2 "Approval for McKee and Matos falls in new Pell Center poll". The Public's Radio. Rhode Island PBS. September 30, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  43. ↑ "Texas Lieutenant Governor Election Results". The New York Times. November 8, 2022.
  44. ↑ Koithan, Stephanie (November 13, 2025). "Mike Collier launches third run for Texas Lieutenant Governor — this time as an Independent". San Antonio Current . Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Candidate Information". Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Vermont Lieutenant Governor Election Results". The New York Times. November 5, 2024.
  47. 1 2 Flanders, Colin (November 18, 2025). "Molly Gray to Run for Lieutenant Governor Again". Seven Days Vermont . Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  48. 1 2 Robinson, Shaun (August 14, 2025). "Vermont Lt. Gov. John Rodgers, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas say they're running for reelection". VTDigger. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  49. ↑ "Lt. Governor Leslie Rutledge Announces Major Endorsementsin Re-Election Campaign". SWARK Today. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  50. ↑ "California Secretary of State - CalAccess - Campaign Finance". cal-access.sos.ca.gov. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  51. ↑ "Threads". www.threads.com. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  52. ↑ https://oklahomavoice.com/briefs/republican-state-senator-announces-bid-for-oklahoma-lieutenant-governor/
  53. ↑ "Campaign reports show potential rematch shaping up for 2026 R.I. Governor's race". Rhode Island Current. August 1, 2024.
  54. ↑ "Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he'll run for reelection in 2026, reversing previous plan to retire". January 25, 2023.
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