ANALYSIS – If Republicans or Democrats are tired of their commute or of the politics of Capitol Hill, they have many opportunities this election cycle to return home and run for governor. But the open seats they’d leave behind could have an impact on which party controls Congress after the 2026 midterm elections.
The path from Washington back home is well traveled. Eleven current governors have previous experience in elective office on Capitol Hill: Democrats Jared Polis (Colorado), Tim Walz (Minnesota), Michelle Lujan Grisham (New Mexico) and Kathy Hochul (New York) and Republicans Ron DeSantis (Florida), Mike Braun (Indiana), Jeff Landry (Louisiana), Greg Gianforte (Montana), Kelly Ayotte (New Hampshire), Kelly Armstrong (North Dakota) and Mike DeWine (Ohio).
While GOP Sen. Marsha Blackburn looks like a lock to run for governor in Tennessee and Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville might run in Alabama, those bids wouldn’t be as consequential as the decisions of a handful of House lawmakers.
