Reporters roundtable: Gubernatorial and legislative races to watch

In November’s midterm elections, Democrats could win a majority of governor’s offices for the first time in 16 years. President Donald Trump’s influence towers over some tight races. In Wisconsin, the GOP nominee, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election. In Georgia, Rick Jackson has said he wanted to be “Trump’s favorite governor.” Both Tiffany and Jackson have since tried to distance themselves from the president.  Democratic candidates are taking advantage of Republican tension, and hope to see a “blue wave.” Party leaders in some states, like Michigan, are hoping to capture a trifecta: control of the governor’s office and both chambers of the state legislature. In Episode 51, States Newsroom reporters Alander Rocha from the Georgia Recorder, Ben Solis from the Michigan Advance and Baylor Spears from the Wisconsin Examiner help break down what is happening in their gubernatorial elections and whether the political makeup of their statehouses might flip.  Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer. Click here for the full transcript. Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  News From The States Full Election Coverage Democrats could win majority of governor’s offices for first time in 16 years (Stateline) Bottoms faces empty podium on debate stage while Jackson campaigns with Kemp (Georgia Recorder) In Detroit debate, Benson and James each blame the other’s party leadership for today’s problems (Michigan Advance) Billionaire Diane Hendricks helps Wisconsin Republicans defend legislative majorities (Wisconsin Examiner) Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at [email protected] Photo: Voters fill out their ballots at a Sioux Falls polling place during the South Dakota primary election on June 2, 2026. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)