Much of the attention ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections has fallen on the battle for control of the United States Congress. But key state-level races are also unfolding, with far-reaching consequences for the country’s future. This year, 36 US states will vote for their next governor, the most powerful elected official in state government.
An unusually high proportion of those races centre on open seats, with no incumbent governor on the ballot seeking re-election. In 19 of the races, the current officeholder is either term-limited, like California Democrat Gavin Newsom, or voluntarily opted to not run again, like Iowa Republican Kim Reynolds. This historic turnover creates the potential for several states to take on significant changes in leadership.
Governors serve as the chief executives of their states, overseeing government departments and agencies responsible for delivering public services. Their powers vary by state. In general, governors propose budgets, appoint senior state officials, direct state agencies about how to enforce existing law, and issue executive orders.
They can also choose to sign into law bills passed by their state’s legislature — or veto them. One of their most visible areas of influence is reproductive rights. Since the US Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that there is no constitutional right to abortion access, state governments have played a central role in determining whether the procedure is legal.
Each state can now regulate abortion within its boundaries, and some 13 state legislatures have passed complete or near-total abortion bans. But the Guttmacher Institute, a US-based reproductive rights organisation, noted that about a dozen governors have issued executive orders to “mitigate” the harm done by such bans. In some states, governors appoint the officials responsible for overseeing elections, while in others, those officials are elected independently.
Governors may also sign or veto legislation changing voting rules, giving them significant influence over election administration. Governors also help shape how states respond to the federal government. They may challenge federal policies in court or negotiate with Washington over funding and programme requirements.
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