Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) stated on Sunday, September 27, 2026, that the Democratic Party aims to contest several Republican-held governorships in upcoming elections. Speaking as the chair of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), Beshear identified Florida, Texas, Alaska, and Nebraska as states where candidates are within the margin of error.
Beshear attributed the party's outlook to momentum from last year's gubernatorial wins by Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) in New Jersey and Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) in Virginia. He argued that the current administration's agenda has created opportunities for Democrats to expand their national map, though he noted that the party must focus on effective governance to be successful.
In Florida, former Republican Representative David Jolly, running as a Democrat, is facing Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL). While Beshear cited the race as competitive, Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) gave Donalds a 67 percent chance of winning as of Friday, September 25. In Texas, state Representative Gina Hinojosa (D) is challenging incumbent Governor Greg Abbott (R). DDHQ reports Abbott maintains a roughly 70 percent chance of securing a fourth term.
Beyond gubernatorial races, Beshear noted that DDHQ forecasts a 51 percent chance for Democrats to flip both the House and Senate in the midterms. He cautioned that a potential Democratic-led Congress should focus on addressing public perception of a "rigged" economy. Beshear also criticized federal legislation, which he referred to as the "big ugly bill," stating it would negatively impact rural healthcare.
On a household level, Beshear identified specific concerns regarding healthcare costs and rural infrastructure. He stated that if certain tax credits for private insurance exchanges expire, families using these exchanges would see higher bills. Furthermore, he noted that 35 rural hospitals in Kentucky face potential closure due to federal policy changes. For residents in these areas, this would mean traveling up to two hours for medical care and could lead to the loss of a community's largest payroll, causing knock-on effects for local businesses.
The midterm elections are scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Voters in Florida, Texas, Alaska, and Nebraska will decide their respective governorships, while the national electorate will determine the balance of power in the House and Senate. Following the elections, the new Congress is set to convene in January 2027.