The number of governors who once served in Congress could grow in 2027

Ryan Kelly, CQ-Roll Call on Aug 26, 2026

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Fourteen of the nation’s current governors once served in Congress.

By early next year, that number could grow to 20 if the states and territories with current or former members on their gubernatorial ballot end up electing them in November.

Six states and one territory have an opportunity this fall to elect a governor with congressional experience to succeed an outgoing one without.

Republican Sens. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Democratic former Rep. Xavier Becerra of California are heavily favored to win their elections, which Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates as Solid for either party. Alabama’s next governor is guaranteed to have a Capitol Hill past, as the Democratic nominee is former Sen. Doug Jones.

Three House members are in gubernatorial races that Inside Elections rates as competitive: Republicans Andy Biggs of Arizona (Toss-up), Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin (Toss-up) and John James of Michigan (Tilt Democratic).

Del. Stacey Plaskett is this year’s Democratic nominee for governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Four states have former lawmakers termed out of their governor’s mansions this year and could elect successors with similar backgrounds.

It’s a lock to happen in Florida, where Republican Rep. Byron Donalds and Democratic former Rep. David Jolly will face off in November. Inside Elections rates the race Solid Republican.

Minnesota and New Mexico are favored to elect Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former Rep. Deb Haaland, both Democrats, as their respective next governors. Both races are rated Likely Democratic.

And with Sen. Michael Bennet losing his Democratic primary bid in June, the slim chances of it happening in Colorado rest on the independent bid of former GOP Rep. Greg Lopez. Inside Elections rates the race Solid Democratic.

Two governors seeking reelection this year are former members themselves. New Hampshire Republican Kelly Ayotte, a former senator, and New York Democrat Kathy Hochul, a former upstate congresswoman, are both heavy favorites to win second terms.

Meanwhile, six states and one territory have former members as governors who aren’t up for reelection in November:

—Indiana (Republican former Sen. Mike Braun)

—Louisiana (Republican former Rep. Jeff Landry)

—Montana (Republican former Rep. Greg Gianforte)

—New Jersey (Democratic former Rep. Mikie Sherrill)

—North Dakota (Republican former Rep. Kelly Armstrong)

—Virginia (Democratic former Rep. Abigail Spanberger)

—Puerto Rico (Republican former Res. Cmmsr. Jenniffer González-Colón)

One state has a term-limited governor who’s a former member and won’t be succeeded by someone who’s represented the state in Washington: Ohio. Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Democratic former state health director Amy Acton are vying to succeed Gov. Mike DeWine, a former Republican congressman and senator.

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