New Jersey and Virginia set to open barn-burner governor’s race season - Washington Examiner

November 2025 will feature likely competitive governor’s races that should indicate President-elect Donald Trump's popularity, or lack thereof, 10 months into his second White House stint.

Democrats are looking to the states as a key element of updated “resistance” plans against Trump in his second term.

With term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer leaving office in January 2027 after eight years , both parties are preparing for crowded primaries in Michigan .

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, is eligible to run for a third term.

Democrats control all statewide offices and have shown strength downballot in local races.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R-NV) is a rare Republican gubernatorial success story.

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) survived a harrowing scare in the 2022 midterm elections, winning by a closer-than-expected 53%-47 % margin.

Her sometimes gaffe-prone public persona, and flip-flops over a plan for congestion pricing for traffic in New York City , have possible Democratic rivals circling.

Republicans are optimistic they can win their first statewide race since 2002 .