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2026 United States lieutenant gubernatorial elections

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2026 United States lieutenant gubernatorial elections
← 2024
November 3, 2026
2027 →
← 2022
2030 →
10 lieutenant governorships[a]
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Seats before 11 6
Seats up 8 2
2026 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election2026 Arkansas lieutenant gubernatorial election2026 California lieutenant gubernatorial election2026 Georgia lieutenant gubernatorial election2026 Idaho lieutenant gubernatorial election2026 Nevada lieutenant gubernatorial election2026 Oklahoma lieutenant gubernatorial election2026 Rhode Island lieutenant gubernatorial election2026 Texas lieutenant gubernatorial election2026 Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election
     Democratic incumbent      Term-limited Democrat
     Republican incumbent      Term-limited or retiring Republican
     No election

The 2026 United States lieutenant gubernatorial elections are scheduled to be held on November 3, 2026, in 10 states. The previous lieutenant gubernatorial elections for this group of states took place in 2022, except in Vermont, where lieutenant governors serve two-year terms and elected their lieutenant governor in 2024.

Partisan composition

[edit]

Going into the election, there are 11 Republican lieutenant governors and 6 Democratic lieutenant governors in the United States. This class of lieutenant governors is made up of 8 Republicans and 2 Democrats. Republicans are defending one lieutenant governorship in a state that Kamala Harris won in 2024 (Vermont), while there are no states with Democratic lieutenant governors which Donald Trump won.[1]

Race summary

[edit]

Alabama

[edit]
Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election
← 2022
2030 →
 
Candidate John Wahl Phillip Ensler
Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Will Ainsworth
Republican


The Alabama Republican primary election is May 19, 2026. Two-term incumbent Republican Will Ainsworth is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election. Declared Republican candidates include incumbent secretary of state Wes Allen, Cullman County deputy Patrick Bishop, community advocate George Childress, incumbent commissioner of agriculture and industries Rick Pate, physician Stewart Tankersley, economic developer Nicole Wadsworth, and former Alabama Republican Party chair John Wahl.[29] Wahl defeated Allen in the June 16 Primary Runoff to gain the Republican nomination.

State representative Phillip Ensler and funeral company CEO Darryl Perryman are running in the Democratic primary.[29]

Arkansas

[edit]
Arkansas lieutenant gubernatorial election
← 2022
2030 →
 
Candidate Leslie Rutledge Michael Kalagias
Party Republican Libertarian
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Leslie Rutledge
Republican


One-term incumbent Republican Leslie Rutledge is seeking re-election.[30]

As the filing deadline passed without any Democratic candidates filing, Rutledge will be opposed in the general election by firefighter and United States Navy veteran Michael Kalagias as the Libertarian nominee.[31]

California

[edit]
California lieutenant gubernatorial election
← 2022
2030 →
 
Candidate Fiona Ma Gloria Romero
Party Democratic Republican
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Eleni Kounalakis
Democratic


Two-term incumbent Democrat Eleni Kounalakis is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election. California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and former state senator Gloria Romero secured the top two positions in the June 2 primary to run in the general election to succeed her.

Other notable candidates who ran included Democrats Josh Fryday (chief service officer for governor Gavin Newsom and former mayor of Novato),[32] former mayor of Stockton Michael Tubbs,[33] musician and record producer Tim Myers, and civil rights attorney Oliver Ma (no relation to Fiona Ma)[34] and Republicans David Collenberg (farmer and business owner)[35] and entrepreneur David Fennell[36]

Georgia

[edit]
Georgia lieutenant gubernatorial election
← 2022
2030 →
 
Nominee Greg Dolezal Josh McLaurin
Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Burt Jones
Republican


One-term incumbent Republican Burt Jones was first elected in 2022 and was eligible to run for re-election. On July 8, 2025, he announced that he would run for governor in 2026 instead of seeking reelection to a second term as lieutenant governor.[9]

The Republican candidates who filed to run included state Representative David Clark, Marine veteran Brenda Nelson-Porter,[37] small business owner Takosha Swan,[38] and state Senators Greg Dolezal, Blake Tillery, Steve Gooch (also majority leader of the Georgia State Senate (2023–2025)) and John F. Kennedy (who had also served as president pro tempore of the Georgia State Senate (2023–2025)). After the June 16 Primary runoff, Dolezal won the nomination over Kennedy.

Democratic candidates who filed included Georgia state Senators Josh McLaurin and Nabilah Parkes as well as accountant Richard Wright.[39] Former Macon mayor pro tempore Seth Clark had initially filed, but withdrew[40] McLaurin won in the Primary runoff over Parkes.

Idaho

[edit]
Idaho lieutenant gubernatorial election
← 2022
2030 →
 
Nominee Scott Bedke Eric Myricks
Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Scott Bedke
Republican


One-term incumbent Republican Scott Bedke was first elected in 2022. He is running for re-election.[41] He is being challenged by Democrat Eric Myricks.[42]

Nevada

[edit]
Nevada lieutenant gubernatorial election
← 2022
2030 →
 
Nominee Stavros Anthony Sandra Jauregui
Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Stavros Anthony
Republican


One-term incumbent Republican Stavros Anthony was elected in 2022 with 49.41% of the vote. He is running for re-election.[43] Assembly Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui ran in the Democratic primary[44] and won against nurse practitioner Courtney Burke[45] and entertainer BridgieNix Scheiner[46]

Oklahoma

[edit]
Oklahoma lieutenant gubernatorial election
← 2022
2030 →
 
Nominee T. W. Shannon Kelly Forbes
Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Matt Pinnell
Republican


Two-term incumbent Republican Matt Pinnell is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election.

Businessman Victor Flores,[47] state Representatives Brian Hill and Justin Humphrey, businessman and Navy veteran David Ostrowe,[48] State senator Darrell Weaver,[49] and former Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives T. W. Shannon filed for the Republican primary. Shannon won the Republican Primary outright with 54% of the vote.[50]

Consultant and educator Kelly Forbes was unopposed for the Democrat nomination following Navy veteran Candice Jay's withdraw.

Rhode Island

[edit]
Rhode Island lieutenant gubernatorial election
← 2022
2030 →
 
Nominee Sabina Matos John Loughlin
Party Democratic Republican
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Sabina Matos
Democratic


One-term incumbent Democrat Sabina Matos was elected in 2022 with 51.2% of the vote. She is running for re-election.[51][20] Other candidates in the Democratic primary include Providence city councilor Sue AnderBois,[52] former state senator Cynthia Armour Coyne, former mayor of Newport Xay Khamsyvoravong,[53] and teacher, U.S. Air Force veteran, and 2022 Independent candidate for Lieutenant Governor Ross McCurdy.[54] Matos fended off the primary challenge and won the Democratic nomination, receiving 36% of the primary vote.

Former state Representative John Loughlin is the presumptive Republican nominee as no other Republican candidates filed.[55]

Texas

[edit]
Texas lieutenant gubernatorial election
← 2022
2030 →
 
Nominee Dan Patrick Vikki Goodwin
Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Dan Patrick
Republican


Three-term incumbent Republican Dan Patrick is running for re-election.[56] The Texas Constitution does not have term limits for any statewide office.

Other Republicans who opposed Patrick in the Republican primary were educator Perla Muñoz Hopkins, business consultant Timothy Mabry, and U.S. Air Force veteran Esala Wueschner.[57]

Candidates in the Democratic primary included state representative Vikki Goodwin, contracts and privacy manager Courtney Head, and union representative Marcos Velez[24] Goodwin would defeat Velez in the primary runoff to earn the Democratic nomination.

Vermont

[edit]
Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election
← 2024
2028 →
 
Nominee John Rodgers Molly Gray
Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor

John Rodgers
Republican


One-term incumbent Republican John Rodgers was elected in 2024 with 48.76% of the vote. He is running for re-election.[28] Former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray will run against him.[27] Other candidates in the Democratic primary include Esther Charlestin (chair of the Vermont Commission on Women)[58] and Democratic National Committee member Ryan McLaren.[59]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Seat tallies and popular vote do not include states that do not elect lieutenant governors separately from governors.
  2. ↑ Matos took office after her predecessor, Dan McKee, resigned. She was subsequently elected in 2022.
  3. ↑ Since no candidate received a majority of the vote, Rodgers was ultimately elected by the Vermont General Assembly on January 9, 2025.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "2024 Presidential Elections By State Margin of Victory". Fox News Elections. November 26, 2024. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Qualified 2026 Republican Candidates". Alabama Republican Party. January 8, 2026.
  3. ↑ "2026 Candidates". Alabama Democrats. January 8, 2026.
  4. ↑ Grajeda, Antoinette (February 23, 2026). "Libertarian Party of Arkansas nominates 2026 general election candidates". Arkansas Advocate. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  5. ↑ "2026 Preferential Primary and Nonpartisan Judicial General Election". Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  6. ↑ "2026 California lieutenant governor race begins to take shape". Los Angeles Times. July 17, 2024.
  7. ↑ Williams, Aidan (January 16, 2026). "Gloria Romero to Run for Lieutenant Governor". LA Magazine. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Trump-backed Burt Jones wins race for Georgia Lieutenant Governor". November 9, 2022.
  9. 1 2 Darnell, Tim (July 8, 2025). "Lt. Gov. Burt Jones announces long-anticipated bid for governor". WANF. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Qualifying Candidate Information". Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Longtime Idaho House speaker Bedke wins lieutenant governor race". Idaho Statesman. November 10, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  12. 1 2 "Search Filed Candidates". Idaho Secretary of State. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Nevada Lieutenant Governor Midterm Election 2022: Live Results and Updates". NBC News.
  14. 1 2 3 "Candidate Filing List". Nevada Secretary of State. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Oklahoma Election Results". The New York Times. November 6, 2018.
  16. ↑ Hoberock, Barbara (August 20, 2025). "Five candidates seek Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor post • Oklahoma Voice". Oklahoma Voice. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Former House Speaker T.W. Shannon announces run for Oklahoma lieutenant governor". News 9. January 12, 2026. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Incumbent Sabina Matos wins Lieutenant governor position over Aaron Guckian". The Providence Journal. November 8, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Republican John Loughlin to Run for Lt. Governor". GoLocalProv. November 15, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  20. 1 2 "Approval for McKee and Matos falls in new Pell Center poll". The Public's Radio. Rhode Island PBS. September 30, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Texas Lieutenant Governor Election Results". The New York Times. November 8, 2022.
  22. ↑ Koithan, Stephanie (November 13, 2025). "Mike Collier launches third run for Texas Lieutenant Governor — this time as an Independent". San Antonio Current. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  23. ↑ Warren, Thomas (April 15, 2026). "Texas Libertarian Party Nominates 2026 Statewide Candidates". The Amarillo Pioneer. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  24. 1 2 3 "Candidate Information". Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  25. ↑ Royster, Rachel (May 27, 2026). "With primary runoff elections over, here's who will be on Tarrant's Nov 3 ballot". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Vermont Lieutenant Governor Election Results". The New York Times. November 5, 2024.
  27. 1 2 Flanders, Colin (November 18, 2025). "Molly Gray to Run for Lieutenant Governor Again". Seven Days Vermont. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  28. 1 2 Robinson, Shaun (August 14, 2025). "Vermont Lt. Gov. John Rodgers, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas say they're running for reelection". VTDigger. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  29. 1 2 Gann, Heather (February 5, 2026). "Alabama 2026 election: Everyone running for lieutenant governor". AL.com. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Lt. Governor Leslie Rutledge Announces Major Endorsementsin Re-Election Campaign". SWARK Today. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  31. ↑ Brock, Roby (February 22, 2026). "Arkansas Libertarians nominate candidates for 2026". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  32. ↑ Cadelago, Christopher (March 5, 2025). "Newsom's 'Sargent Shriver' running for California lieutenant governor". Politico. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  33. ↑ Contreras, Russell (July 17, 2024). "Progressive hero seeks political comeback in California". Axios. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  34. ↑ Belcher, Phyllis (October 13, 2025). "Democrats to hold meet-and-greet with Ma". Tehachapi News. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  35. ↑ Kym Kemp (December 11, 2025). "David Collenberg running for governor - Mad River Union". Mad River Union. Retrieved March 21, 2026. A locally raised farmer and businessman currently living in Siskiyou County but operating Lost Coast Hay and Feed in Eureka, David Collenberg, is carrying out a conservative, grassroots campaign for governor of California.
  36. ↑ "California Secretary of State - CalAccess - Campaign Finance - David Fennell for Lieutenant Governor 2026". cal-access.sos.ca.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  37. ↑ "A Vote for Kamala (November 3, 2024): Georgia Nonpartisan Plans to Enter Race for Lt. Governor of The State of Georgia Announced". Social Media X Space. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  38. ↑ Tagami, Ty (June 2, 2025). "More candidates announce plans to run for Georgia Lieutenant Governor seat". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  39. ↑ Neely, Clay (September 18, 2025). "Tillery visits NTH, outlines bid for lieutenant governor". The Newnan Times-Herald. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  40. ↑ Lonnroth, Lars (February 27, 2026). "Ex-Bibb commissioner Seth Clark drops Democratic bid for lieutenant governor, ending short-lived campaign". WMAZ. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  41. ↑ Johnston, Chloe (September 9, 2025). "Idaho Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke announces bid for 2026 re-election". KTVB. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  42. ↑ Shoemaker, Riley (January 21, 2026). "Walkout at Idaho Capitol draws demonstrators voicing immigration and economic concerns". KIVI-TV. Retrieved January 28, 2026. Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Eric Myricks addressed the crowd.
  43. ↑ "Threads". www.threads.com. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Nevada Assembly Majority Leader Jauregui announces run for lieutenant governor". Las Vegas Sun. October 20, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  45. ↑ Robison, Mark (March 13, 2026). "Nevada candidates set: See who will appear on Washoe County ballots". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Election 2026: Tracking Nevada candidate announcements". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  47. ↑ Byrd, Suzie (May 22, 2025). "EHS Grad Kicks off campaign for Lieutenant Governor". Enid News & Eagle. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  48. ↑ "Candidate filing". filings.okelections.gov. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  49. ↑ https://oklahomavoice.com/briefs/republican-state-senator-announces-bid-for-oklahoma-lieutenant-governor/
  50. ↑ "Oklahoma Unofficial Results". results.okelections.gov. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Campaign reports show potential rematch shaping up for 2026 R.I. Governor's race". Rhode Island Current. August 1, 2024.
  52. ↑ Donnis, Ian (November 12, 2025). "Providence City Councilor Sue AnderBois joins race for Rhode Island lieutenant governor". Ocean State Media. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  53. ↑ Gregg, Katherine (March 2, 2026). "Newport Councilman Xaykham Khamsyvoravong announces run for lieutenant governor". The Providence Journal. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Candidates for LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR". vote.sos.ri.gov. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Loughlin announces run for Rhode Island lieutenant governor". WJAR. November 15, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  56. ↑ "Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he'll run for reelection in 2026, reversing previous plan to retire". January 25, 2023.
  57. ↑ Royster, Rachel; Dearman, Eleanor (December 1, 2025). "Candidates are gearing up for the March 2026 primary. Here's who is running". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  58. ↑ Pastor, Adrian (January 28, 2026). "Esther Charlestin launches 2026 bid for Vermont Lieutenant Governor". WPTZ. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  59. ↑ Robinson, Shaun (January 15, 2026). "Ryan McLaren, former top aide to Peter Welch, enters lieutenant governor race". VTDigger. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
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