The 2026 midterm governor election results have ushered in a transformative era for American leadership, marked by the election of the nation’s first Black woman governor. On Tuesday, voters across several states chose Black candidates to lead their executive branches, effectively doubling the number of Black governors elected in the entire 250-year history of the United States. These victories spanned from the Deep South to the Midwest, reflecting a shifting political landscape as the country moves into the second half of the decade.
In a night of significant firsts, Keisha Lance Bottoms secured a historic win in Georgia, while Byron Donalds claimed victory in Florida. In Wisconsin, David Crowley emerged triumphant in a closely watched contest, and Maryland’s Wes Moore successfully defended his seat for a second term. As the tallies continue to be finalized, another potential milestone remains on the horizon in Nevada, where Aaron Ford currently holds a significant lead.
Keisha Lance Bottoms Becomes First Black Woman Governor
In one of the most significant outcomes of the night, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms won her race to become the governor of Georgia. This victory makes her the first Black woman governor in the history of the United States. Additionally, Bottoms will serve as the first woman to ever hold the governor's office in Georgia.
Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, joins a record-breaking cohort of 17 women serving as governors across the country. She described the moment she learned of her victory as a quiet family moment. "I had put in my AirPods to work on my speech, and my husband was on the sofa near me, laying near me, and he kicked me," Bottoms recalled, noting that was how she discovered the race had been called in her favor.
Florida and Wisconsin See Historic Shifts
In Florida, Republican Byron Donalds made history by becoming the state’s first Black governor. His victory also carries national weight, as he is the first Black Republican elected to a governorship in U.S. history. Donalds previously represented Florida’s 19th District in the U.S. House of Representatives following his election to Congress in 2020.
Meanwhile, the David Crowley Wisconsin victory saw a moderate Democrat take the lead in one of the nation's most competitive "purple" states. Crowley defeated Republican Tom Tiffany, a U.S. Representative and a prominent ally of President Trump. The win solidifies Crowley’s position as a rising figure in the Midwest after a hard-fought campaign.
Wes Moore Maryland Reelection and National Context
Governor Wes Moore of Maryland easily won reelection to a second term. Moore first made history in 2022 when he became Maryland's first Black governor. Reflecting on the broader implications of Tuesday's results, Moore noted that the number of Black governors in the U.S. has at least doubled in a single election cycle.
Prior to this election, only three Black Americans had ever been elected as governors in the U.S. While David Paterson served as governor of New York, he did so by succeeding Eliot Spitzer following a resignation rather than through an initial election. Moore emphasized the weight of the moment, stating, "I'm only the third African American ever elected governor in the 250-year history of this country, and, now, in one cycle, we have at least doubled that number."
Key Takeaways from the 2026 Midterms
- Keisha Lance Bottoms (D-GA): First Black woman governor in U.S. history and first female governor of Georgia.
- Byron Donalds (R-FL): First Black governor of Florida and first Black Republican governor in the nation.
- David Crowley (D-WI): Won a high-stakes race in a key swing state against a Trump-aligned challenger.
- Wes Moore (D-MD): Secured a second term after becoming Maryland's first Black governor in 2022.
- Aaron Ford (D-NV): Currently leading the Nevada race; could become the first Black governor elected west of the Mississippi.
The Race Still to Be Called: Aaron Ford Nevada
The final shape of these historic midterms may depend on the results coming out of the West. In Nevada, Democrat Aaron Ford is currently leading the incumbent Republican Governor Joe Lombardo. Ford, who has served as Nevada’s attorney general since 2018, holds a lead of more than 70,000 votes.
If Ford’s lead holds and he is declared the winner, he will achieve two major milestones: becoming the first Black governor in Nevada’s history and the first Black governor ever elected in any state west of the Mississippi River. As of Wednesday morning, the race remains a toss-up as officials continue to process the final ballots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the first Black woman governor in the United States?
Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected to a gubernatorial role in U.S. history following her victory in the 2026 Georgia governor's race.
Who is Byron Donalds and what history did he make?
Byron Donalds is a Republican who was elected governor of Florida in 2026. He is the first Black governor of Florida and the first Black Republican governor ever elected in the United States.
How many Black governors have been elected in U.S. history?
Before the 2026 midterms, only three Black Americans had been elected governor in the country's 250-year history. The 2026 election cycle has at least doubled that number with the victories of Bottoms, Donalds, and Crowley, alongside the reelection of Wes Moore.