The next round of governor's races could bring big changes to state power

38 gubernatorial races will be on the ballot from coast to coast over the next two years, including in several of the presidential battleground states.

A whopping 38 gubernatorial races will be on the ballot from coast to coast over the next two years, contests that will shape a long list of hot-button policy issues and the directions of both political parties following the 2024 presidential election.

These include two races in 2025 — in New Jersey and Virginia — that could offer early hints at how voters are responding to the first year of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term in office.

In 2026, there will be three dozen races for governor, including in six of the seven presidential battleground states, and at least another half dozen that are widely expected to be competitive. The year’s slate of contests also includes 16 open races where incumbents are term-limited. And the jockeying by potential candidates is already well underway heading into the holiday season.

Just weeks after Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss to Trump, Democrats are already looking ahead to two gubernatorial races that could help the party regain momentum.

New Jersey and Virginia have been reliably blue at the presidential level, though Trump made major gains with voters in both in November.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/governor-races-big-changes-state-power-rcna183701

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