2026 United States state auditor elections

Last updated

2026 United States auditor elections
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23 state auditor offices
 Majority partyMinority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Seats before2215
Seats up1112
2026 United States state auditor elections.svg
     Democratic incumbent     Retiring Democrat
     Republican incumbent     Term-limited or retiring Republican
     No election

The 2026 United States state auditor elections will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the state auditor of twenty-three U.S. states. The previous elections for this group of states took place in 2022, except in Vermont, whose auditor serves two-year terms and was elected in 2024.

Contents

These elections will take place concurrently with various other federal, state, and local elections.

Partisan composition

Going into these elections, this class of attorneys general is made up of 12 Democrats and 11 Republicans. There are two states that were won by Donald Trump in 2024 with Democratic auditors, Iowa at R+13.2 and South Carolina at R+17.8, [1] while Republicans do not serve as auditors in any states won by Kamala Harris.

Race summary

StateAuditorPartyFirst electedLast raceStatusCandidates
Alabama Andrew Sorrell Republican 2022 85% RIncumbent retiring to
run for secretary of state [2]
  • ▌Derek Chen (Republican) [3]
  • ▌Robert McCollum (Republican) [4]
  • ▌Josh Pendergrass (Republican) [5]
Arkansas Dennis Milligan Republican202266.8% RIncumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
California Malia Cohen Democratic 2022 55.4% DIncumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Connecticut Sean Scanlon Democratic 2022 55.1% DIncumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Delaware Lydia York Democratic202254.2% DIncumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Idaho Brandon Woolf Republican2012 (appointed)69.5% RIncumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Illinois Susana Mendoza Democratic 2016 (special) 57.1% DIncumbent retiring [6]
Indiana Elise Nieshalla Republican2023 (appointed)60.1% RIncumbent running
Iowa Rob Sand Democratic 2018 50.1% DIncumbent retiring to
run for governor. [13]
Maryland Brooke Lierman Democratic 2022 61.6% DIncumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Massachusetts Diana DiZoglio Democratic202254.9% DIncumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Minnesota Julie Blaha DFL 2018 47.5% DFLIncumbent retiring [16]
Missouri Scott Fitzpatrick Republican 2022 59.4% RIncumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Nebraska Mike Foley Republican 2022 68.5% RIncumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
Nevada Andy Matthews Republican 2022 50.1% RIncumbent running
New Mexico Joseph Maestas Democratic 2022 61.9% DIncumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD
New York Thomas DiNapoli Democratic2007 (appointed)57.3% DIncumbent running
Ohio Keith Faber Republican 2018 58.8% RTerm-limited
Oklahoma Cindy Byrd Republican 2018 100% R [a] Term-limited
  • TBD
South Carolina Brian J. Gaines Democratic2023 (appointed)98.2% R [b] Incumbent retiring [22]
  • TBD
South Dakota Rich Sattgast Republican 2018 62.7% RTerm-limited
  • ▌David Barranco (Republican) [23]
Vermont Doug Hoffer Democratic201260.6% D/PIncumbent retiring [24]
  • TBD
Wyoming Kristi Racines Republican2018100% R [c] Incumbent's intent unknown
  • TBD

Alabama

One-term incumbent Republican Andrew Sorrell is eligible to seek re-election but has chosen instead to run for Secretary of State. [2] Attorney Derek Chen, former Alabama Public Service Commission candidate Robert McCollum, and former Kay Ivey communications director Josh Pendergrass are running as Republicans. [3] [4] [5]

Arkansas

One-term incumbent Republican Dennis Milligan is eligible to seek re-election.

California

One-term incumbent Democrat Malia Cohen is eligible to seek re-election. She has previously expressed an interest in running for state treasurer. [25]

Connecticut

One-term incumbent Democrat Sean Scanlon is eligible to seek re-election.

Delaware

One-term incumbent Democrat Lydia York is eligible to seek re-election.

Idaho

Four-term incumbent Republican Brandon Woolf is eligible to seek re-election.

Illinois

Three-term incumbent Democrat Susana Mendoza is retiring. She is also seen as a potential candidate for retiring U.S. Senate incumbent Dick Durbin. [26] [6]

Democratic candidates include state representative Margaret Croke, Champaign County auditor George Danos, former state senator Rickey Hendon, state representative Stephanie Kifowit, Lake County treasurer Holly Kim, and state senator Karina Villa. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Indiana

One-term appointed incumbent Republican Elise Nieshalla is running for re-election. [12]

Iowa

Two-term incumbent Democrat Rob Sand is retiring to run for Governor. [13] On April 28, 2025, Iowa Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer and Iowa County supervisor Abigail Maas, both Republicans, have filed paperwork to run for State Auditor. [14] [15]

Maryland

One-term incumbent Democrat Brooke Lierman is eligible to seek re-election.

Massachusetts

One-term incumbent Democrat Diana DiZoglio is eligible to seek re-election.

Minnesota

Two-term incumbent Democrat Julie Blaha is retiring. [16]

State representative Dan Wolgamott and former Fergus Falls mayor Ben Schierer are running for the DFL nomination. Duluth city councilor Zack Filiopvich is also seen as a potential candidate. On the Republican side, state representative Elliott Engen and 2022 nominee Ryan Wilson are considering runs. [16]

Missouri

One-term incumbent Republican Scott Fitzpatrick is eligible to seek re-election.

Nebraska

One-term incumbent Republican Mike Foley is eligible to seek re-election. He told the Nebraska Examiner in June 2025 that he would not announce a decision on whether he would seek re-election until late 2025 or early 2026. [27]

Nevada

One-term incumbent Republican Andy Matthews is seeking re-election. [17]

New Mexico

One-term incumbent Democrat Joseph Maestas is eligible to seek re-election.

New York

Four-term incumbent Democrat Thomas DiNapoli is running for re-election. [18] He is being challenged in the Democratic primary by nonprofit-housing executive Drew Warshaw. [19]

Ohio

Two-term incumbent Republican Keith Faber is term-limited. Secretary of State Frank LaRose is running for the Republican nomination. [21]

Oklahoma

Two-term incumbent Republican Cindy Byrd is term-limited.

South Carolina

One-term appointed incumbent Democrat Brian J. Gaines has chosen not to run for a full term. [22]

South Dakota

Two-term incumbent Republican Rich Sattgast is term-limited. Republican Sioux Falls city councilmember David Barranco is running for the Republican nomination with Sattgast's support. [28]

Vermont

Seven-term incumbent Democrat/Progressive Doug Hoffer is retiring. [24]

Wyoming

Two-term incumbent Republican Kristi Racines is eligible to seek re-election.

Notes

  1. ↑ Byrd ran unopposed in 2022
  2. ↑ Eckstrom, Gaines's predecessor, was re-elected against write-in opposition in 2022
  3. ↑ Racines ran unopposed in 2022

References

  1. ↑ "2024 Presidential Elections By State Margin of Victory | Fox News Elections". www.foxnews.com. November 26, 2024. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "State Auditor Andrew Sorrell announces candidacy for secretary of state". Alabama Political Reporter. February 26, 2025. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Jim Zeigler (April 9, 2025). "Republican activist, attorney Derek Chen announces run for open seat of state auditor". 1819 News . Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Jim Zeigler (March 3, 2025). "Robert McCollum announces for open state auditor seat". 1819 News . Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Monger, Craig (June 3, 2025). "Fmr Ivey comms director, 2022 House candidate Josh Pendergrass vying…". 1819 News. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Tenenbaum, Sara (July 17, 2025). "Susana Mendoza not running for 4th term as Illinois comptroller". MSN . Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Weckerly, Brian (July 24, 2025). "Rep. Margaret Croke to run for Illinois State". WHBF-TV . Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 Pearson, Rick (August 11, 2025). "State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit joins growing Democratic field running for Illinois comptroller" . The Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Dems revolt at slating meeting: Skip Senate race, pick Hynes over Kaegi". Southwest Regional Publishing. July 21, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  10. 1 2 Pfingsten, Patrick (August 5, 2025). "Kim Enters Comptroller Race, Villa and Kifowit Could Follow". The Illinoize. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Stevenson, Will (August 11, 2025). "Another Democrat announces candidacy for Illinois Comptroller". Capitol City Now. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Bergquist, Garrett (June 26, 2025). "State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla launches bid for full term". WISH-TV . Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  13. 1 2 Turner, Chris. "Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand announces run for Governor of Iowa". NEWSRADIO 1040 WHO.
  14. 1 2 Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "Iowa Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer files paperwork to run for state auditor in 2026". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Pfannenstiel, Brianne (June 30, 2025). "Iowa County Supervisor Abigail Maas, a Republican, announces run for state auditor in 2026". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Van Oot, Torey (September 4, 2025). "Minnesota Auditor Julie Blaha won't run for re-election in 2026". Axios. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  17. 1 2 Margiott, Kenzie (July 9, 2025). "Nevada Controller Andy Matthews announces 2026 re-election bid". KRNV-DT . Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  18. 1 2 Floyd, Greg (April 15, 2025). "New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announces reelection bid for 2026". WRGB . Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  19. 1 2 Bragg, Chris (June 18, 2025). "New York Owes $20 Billion in Lost Cash. An Upstart Challenger Says He'll Give It All Back". New York Focus . Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  20. ↑ {{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook/2025/09/03/elise-stefaniks-statewide-push-00540953?nname=new-york-playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b74f0000&nrid=35ae2aa5-d45a-4e8b-a588-703acdab3e68%7Ctitle=Comptroller Contest|last=Reisman|first=Nick|date=3 September 2025|access-date=3 September 2025|website=Politico}
  21. 1 2 Smyth, Julie (February 6, 2025). "Ohio elections chief Frank LaRose will run for state auditor in 2026". Associated Press . Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  22. 1 2 Adcox, Seanna (May 12, 2023). "McMaster calls SC Legislature back to work, makes history with pick for chief accountant" . The Post and Courier. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2025. Asked if he would run for the job in 2026, Gaines gave reporters a one-word answer: "No."
  23. ↑ "Sioux Falls City Councilor announces campaign for State Auditor". Dakota News Now. May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  24. 1 2 Thurston, Jack (March 29, 2024). "Vermont state auditor reveals plans for his political future". WPTZ . Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  25. ↑ Jones, Blake; Gardiner, Dustin (December 20, 2024). "Why Dems are grumbling about Malia Cohen" . Retrieved April 16, 2025. [Cohen] previously told allies she was considering a run for state treasurer in 2026.
  26. ↑ Wall, Craig (March 28, 2025). "Sen. Dick Durbin weeks away from announcing if he'll run for reelection". WLS-TV . Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  27. ↑ Gonzalez, Cindy (June 9, 2025). "Nebraska auditor: Financial wrongdoing in local governments seems 'increasingly commonplace'". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  28. ↑ George, Angela (May 23, 2025). "Councilman David Barranco announces his run for S.D. state auditor". Argus Leader . Retrieved May 23, 2025.
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