WASHINGTON—The United States, and its several states, will hold many elections on Nov. 3, 2026—for all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, one-third of seats in the U.S. Senate, and elections to dozens of state legislatures and local offices—with some of the biggest races being for the governor’s offices of various states, which have attracted the candidacies of famous politicians in politically significant states.
In every state of the union, the governor is the chief executive and vested with executive authority, though their exact powers vary and depend upon state Constitutions. Usually, they direct state agencies, veto bills, and are the state’s leading political figure. Historically, many governors have used their public esteem to get elected to other high offices, such as the U.S. Senate and as President of the United States….