The first Democrat Georgia governor in this century

In the 2026 midterm elections, Democrats made history by capturing Georgia's governorship for the first time since 1998. Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor and a White House adviser under President Joe Biden, emerged victorious against Republican Rich Jackson, a wealthy candidate who spent over $200 million on his campaign. This victory marked the end of Republican control of Georgia's state government and provided Democrats with fresh momentum in their quest to secure a majority of the nation's governorships.

The election results also showed the challenges Republicans faced under President Donald Trump, whose approval ratings had become a hindrance to his party. Thirty-six states, representing approximately 80% of the US population, were electing governors on that day. Nineteen of these states had open contests, while the remaining were held by incumbents seeking re-election.

Democrats had previously held a majority of governorships in 2006 during the final midterm elections of Republican President George W. Bush's second term, but Republicans reclaimed the majority four years later. The Democratic Governors Association aimed not only to regain the majority of the population but also to secure a majority of states. Meghan Meehan-Draper, the executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, expressed this goal to The Associated Press.