Democrats Win a Majority of Governorships Since 2010

Voters in 36 states elected governors on Tuesday, and the results gave Democrats a milestone. According to NBC Washington, Democrats clinched a majority of governorships for the first time in sixteen years, and the Democratic Governors Association said its governors were set to lead the majority of states for the first time since 2010.

Al Jazeera reported that, with races still being tallied, Democrats were leading or had won in states that give them 28 governors, against 20 for Republicans. After the previous round of elections, Republicans had held 27 governorships and Democrats 23. NBC reported that Democrats flipped governor's offices in Texas, Georgia, Ohio and Iowa, while The Hill counted four flips overall.

History was made in several places. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms was elected governor of Georgia and became the first Black woman elected governor in the United States, according to Al Jazeera. In Nevada, Attorney General Aaron Ford defeated Republican Governor Joe Lombardo, CNBC reported. Incumbent Democrats also held on in major states, with Katie Hobbs winning re-election in Arizona, Tina Kotek in Oregon, and Democrats keeping their governorships in Pennsylvania, Maryland and California.

Governors matter because they run state budgets, sign or veto laws, appoint judges and officials, and lead emergency response. They also influence elections, since many of them play a role in redistricting and in the administration of voting. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, called the result the start of a new era of Democratic leadership in the states.

Republicans still hold many statehouses, and several of the closest races were decided by narrow margins that could change as ballots are certified. Analysts will also be watching how Democratic governors in traditionally Republican states govern, since that could shape the national debate before the next presidential race.

The Hill argued that the new governors could reshape politics in states that have been Republican strongholds for years, and it noted that their policies on health care, education and taxes will be tested quickly.