-
Democrat Aaron Ford defeats incumbent Joe Lombardo to become Nevada’s first Black governor, ending the Republican governor’s hold on the state.
-
Gina Hinojosa’s victory over Greg Abbott makes her the first woman and first Latina elected governor of Texas, ending more than three decades of Republican rule.
-
Amy Acton defeats Trump-backed Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio, becoming the first Democrat elected governor of the state since 2006.
-
The victories strengthen the Democrats’ position in the 2026 midterm elections, with economic concerns and voter dissatisfaction emerging as major factors.
November 4, (THEWILL) – Democrats have secured major victories in the gubernatorial elections in Nevada, Texas and Ohio, defeating Republican incumbents and delivering a significant setback to the party in states that have largely remained under Republican control.
In Nevada, Democrat Aaron Ford defeated incumbent Governor, Joe Lombardo, to become the state’s first Black governor. In Texas, Gina Hinojosa defeated Greg Abbott, ending the Republicans’ 32-year hold on the governorship and becoming the first woman and Latina to occupy the office.
Ohio also recorded a major political shift as Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who enjoyed the backing of President Donald Trump, to become the state’s first Democratic governor since 2006.
The results represent a strong showing for the Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections, with the party making significant gains in states where Republicans had maintained considerable political influence.
In Nevada, Ford’s victory over Lombardo marks a change in the state’s governorship. Ford, who previously served as Nevada’s attorney general, campaigned on issues, including the economy, healthcare and public services. His emergence as the state’s first Black governor also makes the result a historic milestone in Nevada’s political history.
In Texas, Hinojosa’s victory over Abbott ends a Republican hold on the governorship dating back to 1995. Her campaign focused on the cost of living, public education and concerns over corruption and the state’s energy demands.
Reacting to her victory, Hinojosa said: “It never bothered me that they doubted me. It bothered me that they doubted us.”
She also declared: “Texas, my faith in you never wavered.”
READ ALSO:
In Ohio, Acton’s victory over Ramaswamy ends nearly 16 years of Republican control of the governorship. A physician and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, Acton campaigned on improving healthcare access, strengthening public education and addressing the rising cost of living.
Her campaign faced a major challenge from Ramaswamy, who received support from Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The contest attracted substantial campaign spending and national attention.
Following her victory, Acton declared: “The healing begins today.”
The three results come amid wider Democratic gains in the midterm elections, with economic concerns, particularly the cost of living, featuring prominently in voters’ decisions.
The victories are also a setback for Republicans as the party faces renewed questions about its electoral strength beyond its traditional strongholds.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
